Embolism protection devices

• US 8,123,775 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2004
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ogle, Matthew F.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, VI X
• Application Number:
  US10/806,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20040220611A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,899 Days
• Field of Search: 428/131, 428/397, 606/108, 606/114, 606/194, 606/198, 606/200, 606/159
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12027 Type of occlusion A61B17/12113 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12036 partial occlusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12109 in a blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12168 having a mesh structure A61B17/1214 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12172 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1219 expandable in contact with liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/01 Filters implantable into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/016 made from wire-like elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/018 made from tubes or sheets of material, e.g. by etching or laser-cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/008 paraboloidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/36 for embolization or occlusion, e.g. vaso-occlusive compositions or devices artificial blood vessels A61L27/507
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/04 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/14 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials

Abstract

Embolism protection devices can be formed with a biocompatible expandable polymer that can expand upon release within a patient'"'"'s vessel. Upon release, the structure can be configured to filter flow through the vessel. The material of the embolism protection devices can release one or more biologically active agents, such as a thrombolitic agent, including, for example, tPA. Alternatively or additionally, the embolism protection device can be connected to a tether that elutes one or more biologically active agents.

Claims

1. An embolism protection device comprising a delivery tool and a plurality of fibers in a bundle comprising a polymer and having surface capillaries characterized by one or more grooves along the length of the fibers, wherein the fibers are associated with the delivery tool and have a deployed configuration that fills a lumen of a vessel having a diameter corresponding to that of a human vessel in the form of a porous filtration structure forming a fibrous filter mat that blocks a substantial majority of particulates with a diameter between 45 microns to 200 microns while allowing passage of blood cells.

2. The embolism protection device of claim 1 wherein the fibers comprise a hydrophilic polymer.

3. The embolism protection device of claim 1 wherein the fibers comprise polyester.

4. The embolism protection device of claim 1 wherein the fibers comprise a bioresorbable polymer.

5. The embolism protection device of claim 1 wherein the fibers are within a fabric.

6. The embolism protection device of claim 1 wherein the fibers are curled.

7. The embolism protection device of claim 1 wherein the fibers have a curled configuration at body temperature.

8. The embolism protection device of claim 1 wherein the fibers are grafted with a second polymer.

9. The embolism protection device of claim 8 wherein the second polymer is a hydrogel.

10. The embolism protection device of claim 1 further comprising a biocompatible adhesive.

11. A method for trapping emboli, the method comprising placing an embolism protection device of claim 1 within a patient'"'"'s vessel.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the placing of the fibers is performed with the delivery tool that associates with the fibers.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the delivery tool holds the fibers in a configuration for passage through a sheath for deployment of the fibers within the vessel.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the delivery tool comprises a guidewire.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the plurality of fibers of the embolism protection device of claim 1 are deployed to the porous filtration structure that fills the lumen of the vessel with an effective pore size to trap a selected range of emboli.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the fibers are curled at body temperature.

17. The embolism protection device of claim 1 wherein the delivery tool is a guidewire.

18. The embolism protection device of claim 1 wherein the fibers are attached to the delivery tool with an adhesive.