In vivo filter assembly
First Claim
1. An assembly for filtering debris flowing in an in vivo fluid stream, the assembly comprising:
- i) at least one balloon configured to volumetrically expand and to contract following said expansion, said at least one balloon comprising an outer wall having a distal end and a proximal end and an inner wall defining a lumen, said lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end;
ii) a filter configured to operatively connect with said at least one balloon during at least a portion of said volumetric expansion of said at least one balloon, such that said filter expands during said operative connection in order to filter debris from a fluid flowing in a fluid stream within which said expanded filter is disposed, wherein at least a portion of said filter is configured to remain removably connected to a luminal aspect associated with said fluid stream during contraction of said at least one balloon; and
iii) at least one cord operatively associated with said filter and configured to disconnect at least a portion of said filter from said luminal aspect when tension is applied to said at least one cord, wherein at least a portion of said at least one cord is configured to slidingly pass through said lumen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an assembly for filtering debris flowing in an in vivo fluid stream, the assembly comprising at least one balloon configured to volumetrically expand and, during at least a portion of the expansion, operatively connect with a filter, and to contract following the expansion. The assembly further comprising a filter configured to operatively connect with the at least one balloon during at least a portion of the volumetric expansion of the at least one balloon, such that the filter expands during the operative connection in order to filter debris from a fluid flowing in a fluid stream within which the expanded filter is disposed.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. An assembly for filtering debris flowing in an in vivo fluid stream, the assembly comprising:
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i) at least one balloon configured to volumetrically expand and to contract following said expansion, said at least one balloon comprising an outer wall having a distal end and a proximal end and an inner wall defining a lumen, said lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end; ii) a filter configured to operatively connect with said at least one balloon during at least a portion of said volumetric expansion of said at least one balloon, such that said filter expands during said operative connection in order to filter debris from a fluid flowing in a fluid stream within which said expanded filter is disposed, wherein at least a portion of said filter is configured to remain removably connected to a luminal aspect associated with said fluid stream during contraction of said at least one balloon; and iii) at least one cord operatively associated with said filter and configured to disconnect at least a portion of said filter from said luminal aspect when tension is applied to said at least one cord, wherein at least a portion of said at least one cord is configured to slidingly pass through said lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An assembly for filtering debris flowing in an in vivo fluid stream, the assembly comprising:
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i) at least one balloon configured to volumetrically expand and to contract following said expansion, said at least one balloon comprising an outer wall having a distal end and a proximal end and an inner wall defining a lumen, said lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end; ii) a filter comprising a material having tissue connective properties for a portion of luminal tissue associated with an in vivo fluid stream, said filter positioned to operatively connect with said at least one balloon during at least a portion of said expansion and removably connect to least a portion of said tissue and remain so connected during said contraction of said at least one balloon; and iii) at least one cord operatively associated with said filter and configured to disconnect at least a portion of said filter from a luminal aspect associated with said fluid stream when tension is applied to said at least one cord, wherein at least a portion of said at least one cord is configured to slidingly pass through said lumen. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification