Filter retrieval catheter system, and methods

• US 8,814,900 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2012
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardinal Health Switzerland 515 GmbH (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cordis Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fleming, James A. III
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine M
• Assistant Examiner(s): OU, JING RUI
• Application Number:
  US13/555,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20120289998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 606/200, 606/108, 606/45, 606/47, 606/113, 606/127, 606/139, 606/148, 606/159, 606/191, 606/103, 623/1.11, 623/2.11, 128/840
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32056 Surgical snare instruments for removing or smashing calculi A61B2017/2212; tonsillotomes A61B17/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22035 for retrieving or repositioning foreign objects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/011 Instruments for their placement or removal

Abstract

A filter retrieval system for retrieving a previously implanted medical filter, and methods of using the retrieval system, are disclosed. The filter retrieval system has a flexible shaft, a retrieval element, and a handle with an actuator. The flexible shaft may be catheter-based, and has a proximal and a distal end, and has an opening near its distal end. The handle is affixed to the shaft near the proximal end of the shaft, and the actuator is adapted to manipulate the retrieval element to grasp or hook or otherwise engage a portion of the filter, and then pull the filter in through the opening into a passage or lumen of the catheter shaft. The retrieval system is capable of retrieving a filter in into a proximal and distal space defined by the flexible shaft, though only one space at a time.

Claims

1. A filter retrieval system for retrieving a previously implanted medical filter, comprising:

a flexible shaft defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end;

the shaft having an opening positioned a distance from the shaft distal end;

the shaft defining first and second internal spaces positioned proximally and distally of the opening, wherein the flexible shaft is sufficiently flexible to follow a curved vascular path and retrieve a filter placed in the inferior vena cava;

a handle affixed to the shaft near the shaft proximal end;

an actuator coupled with the handle, the actuator comprising a wheel and an axle;

a retrieval element coupled with the actuator via a wire having first and second ends, wherein the first end is attached to the axle on one side of the wheel and the second end is attached to the axle on the opposing side of the wheel;

the retrieval element being longitudinally movable among a range of positions, including the position of the shaft opening and the positions of the first and second internal spaces;

such that moving the actuator to a desired position causes the retrieval element to move to a corresponding position and the wire adjacent one of the first and second ends to wind about the axle;

such that when the retrieval element is in an initial position, the retrieval element is located within one of the first and second internal spaces;

such that when the actuator is moved to a ready position, the retrieval element protrudes from the shaft opening;

such that the retrieval element can be maneuvered to engage a portion of a filter, and then the retrieval element can be pulled to a first or second capture position which can pull the filter through the opening into the first and second internal spaces, once per filter retrieval system.

2. The filter retrieval system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis and the shaft follow a curved path.

3. The filter retrieval system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a guidewire lumen defined by the shaft and a distal guidewire port near the shaft distal end, for slidably receiving a guidewire.

4. The filter retrieval system in accordance with claim 1, wherein a distal portion of the shaft has a pre-selected shape.

5. The filter retrieval system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising one or more marker bands visible on a fluoroscope.

6. A filter retrieval system for retrieving a previously implanted medical filter, comprising:

a flexible shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end;

the shaft having an opening positioned a distance from the shaft distal end;

the shaft defining first and second internal spaces positioned proximally and distally of the opening and a guidewire lumen a distal guidewire port near the shaft distal end, for slidably receiving a guidewire;

a handle affixed to the shaft near the shaft proximal end;

an actuator coupled with the handle, the actuator comprising a wheel and an axle;

a retrieval element coupled with the actuator via a wire having first and second ends, wherein the first end is attached to the axle on one side of the wheel and the second end is attached to the axle on the opposing side of the wheel;

the retrieval element being longitudinally movable among a range of positions, including the position of the shaft opening and the positions of the first and second internal spaces;

such that moving the actuator to a desired position causes the retrieval element to move to a corresponding position and the wire adjacent one of the first and second ends to wind about the axle;

such that when the retrieval element is in an initial position, the retrieval element is located within one of the first and second internal spaces;

such that when the actuator is moved to a ready position, the retrieval element protrudes from the shaft opening;

such that the retrieval element can be maneuvered to engage a portion of a filter, and then the retrieval element can be pulled to a first or second capture position which can pull the filter through the opening into the first and second internal spaces, once per filter retrieval system.

7. The filter retrieval system in accordance with claim 6, wherein a distal portion of the shaft has a pre-selected shape.

8. The filter retrieval system in accordance with claim 6, further comprising one or more marker bands visible on a fluoroscope.

9. A filter retrieval system for retrieving a previously implanted medical filter, comprising:

a flexible shaft defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the longitudinal axis and the shaft follow a curved path;

the shaft having an opening positioned a distance from the shaft distal end;

the shaft defining first and second internal spaces positioned proximally and distally of the opening;

a handle affixed to the shaft near the shaft proximal end;

an actuator coupled with the handle, the actuator comprising a wheel and an axle;

a retrieval element coupled with the actuator via a wire having first and second ends, wherein the first end is attached to the axle on one side of the wheel and the second end is attached to the axle on the opposing side of the wheel;

the retrieval element being longitudinally movable among a range of positions, including the position of the shaft opening and the positions of the first and second internal spaces;

such that moving the actuator to a desired position causes the retrieval element to move to a corresponding position and the wire adjacent one of the first and second ends to wind about the axle;

such that when the retrieval element is in an initial position, the retrieval element is located within one of the first and second internal spaces;

such that when the actuator is moved to a ready position, the retrieval element protrudes from the shaft opening;

such that the retrieval element can be maneuvered to engage a portion of a filter, and then the retrieval element can be pulled to a first or second capture position which can pull the filter through the opening into the first and second internal spaces, once per filter retrieval system.