Vascular filter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A filter for a body lumen, comprising:
- an axial member having a first end, a second end, and a center axis between the first and second ends,a first set of expandable legs, each leg of the first set of legs having an inner end coupled to the axial member and a free outer end configured to be disposed radially outward from the axial member when the first set of legs is expanded, and an outer portion adjacent the outer end, the outer portion forming a curve oriented such that the outer portion curves back toward the axial member when the first set of legs is expanded,a second set of expandable legs, each leg of the second set of legs having an inner end coupled to the axial member and a free outer end configured to be disposed radially outward from the axial member when the second set of legs is expanded, and an outer portion adjacent the outer end, the outer portion forming a curve oriented such that the outer portion curves back toward the axial member when the second set of legs is expanded,wherein each leg comprises, a first substantially straight member coupled to the axial member, and a second substantially straight member coupled to the outer portion and the first substantially straight member,such that, when the legs are expanded, an inner surface of the first substantially straight member and an inner surface of the second substantially straight member define an angle of less than 180 degrees and an outer surface of the axial member and an outer surface of the first substantially straight member define an acute angle; and
wherein the first and second sets of legs are circumferentially offset mirror images of each other.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A filter, configured to be disposed within a body lumen, that includes one or more filtering zones. The filter may include one or more sets of legs, configured to interact with the body lumen wall in order to stabilize the position of the filter and to create a filtering structure. In some embodiments the filter may be integrally formed form a single tube of material.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A filter for a body lumen, comprising:
-
an axial member having a first end, a second end, and a center axis between the first and second ends, a first set of expandable legs, each leg of the first set of legs having an inner end coupled to the axial member and a free outer end configured to be disposed radially outward from the axial member when the first set of legs is expanded, and an outer portion adjacent the outer end, the outer portion forming a curve oriented such that the outer portion curves back toward the axial member when the first set of legs is expanded, a second set of expandable legs, each leg of the second set of legs having an inner end coupled to the axial member and a free outer end configured to be disposed radially outward from the axial member when the second set of legs is expanded, and an outer portion adjacent the outer end, the outer portion forming a curve oriented such that the outer portion curves back toward the axial member when the second set of legs is expanded, wherein each leg comprises, a first substantially straight member coupled to the axial member, and a second substantially straight member coupled to the outer portion and the first substantially straight member, such that, when the legs are expanded, an inner surface of the first substantially straight member and an inner surface of the second substantially straight member define an angle of less than 180 degrees and an outer surface of the axial member and an outer surface of the first substantially straight member define an acute angle; and wherein the first and second sets of legs are circumferentially offset mirror images of each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of deploying a filter, comprising:
-
inserting a filter into a body lumen, the filter comprising a first set of legs and a second set of legs, wherein the first and second sets of legs are circumferentially offset mirror images of each other; deploying a first set of legs of the filter, wherein at least two of the legs comprise a first substantially straight member coupled to a second substantially straight member, wherein an inner surface of the first substantially straight member and an inner surface of the second substantially straight member define an angle of less than 180 degrees, and wherein an outer surface of the first substantially straight member and a longitudinal axis of the filter define an acute angle; contacting the body lumen with the first set of legs; deploying a second set of legs of the filter, wherein at least two of the legs comprise a first substantially straight member coupled to a second substantially straight member, wherein an inner surface of the first substantially straight member and an inner surface of the second substantially straight member define an angle of less than 180 degrees, and wherein an outer surface of the first substantially straight member and a longitudinal axis of the filter define an acute angle; stabilizing the filter by contact between the first set of legs and the body lumen while deploying the second set of legs; and contacting the body lumen with the second set of legs after contacting the body lumen with the first set of legs. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
-
19. An apparatus comprising:
a filter for a body lumen, the filter comprising; an axial member; a first set of expandable and compressible legs at a first position along the axial member, the first set of expandable and compressible legs comprising a general umbrella shape with an internal angle of less than 180 degrees; and a second set of expandable and compressible legs at a second position along the axial member, the second set of expandable and compressible legs comprising a general umbrella shape with an interior angle of less than 180 degrees, wherein each leg of the first and second sets of expandable and compressible legs comprises a first substantially straight member coupled to the axial member, a second substantially straight member coupled to the first substantially straight member, wherein the axial member and the first substantially straight member of each leg defines an acute exterior angle relative to the general umbrella shape, and wherein the first and second sets of expandable and compressible legs are circumferentially offset mirror images of each other. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
Specification