Deflectable intravascular filter

• US 9,943,395 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2015
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Claret Medical, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Fifer, Daniel W., Lashinski, Randall T., Fields, Antony J., Lee, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US14/662,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20150209131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22031 Gripping instruments, e.g. forceps, for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/011 Instruments for their placement or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/012 Multiple filtering units
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/015 Stop means therefor
• 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 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/008 paraboloidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0093 Umbrella-shaped, e.g. mushroom-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0029 differing in bending or flexure capacity

Abstract

Single filter and multi-filter endolumenal methods and systems for filtering fluids within the body. In some embodiments a blood filtering system captures and removes particulates dislodged or generated during a surgical procedure and circulating in a patient'"'"'s vasculature. In some embodiments a filter system protects the cerebral vasculature during a cardiac valve repair or replacement procedure.

Claims

1. An intravascular filter, comprising:

a proximal sheath;

a proximal shaft extending through the proximal sheath;

an expandable proximal filter carried by the proximal shaft and collapsed within the proximal sheath;

an articulable distal sheath extending through the proximal shaft, the articulable distal sheath having an articulation zone comprising a pull wire, wherein proximal retraction of the pull wire causes the articulation zone to articulate;

an elongate, flexible tubular body, having a proximal end and a distal end, and a guidewire lumen extending therethrough, the elongate flexible tubular body extending through the articulable sheath;

a filter frame comprising a loop and a strut;

the loop residing in a plane that intersects the tubular body at a non normal angle, and the strut connecting the loop to the tubular body;

a filter membrane extending from the loop in a distal direction to a point of attachment to the tubular body; and

a flex zone on the tubular body positioned proximal to the filter membrane, the flex zone having a different flexibility than proximal and distal adjacent portions of the tubular body and wherein the guidewire lumen extends through the flex zone.

2. The intravascular filter as in claim 1, wherein the flex zone comprises at least one slot in the tubular body.

3. The intravascular filter as in claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a polymer.

4. The intravascular filter as in claim 1, wherein the flex zone comprises a flexible coupler.

5. The intravascular filter as in claim 4, wherein the flexible coupler comprises at least one slot in the tubular body.

6. The intravascular filter as in claim 4, wherein the flexible coupler comprises a separate component spliced into a gap along the tubular body.

7. The intravascular filter as in claim 4, wherein the flexible coupler is integrally formed with the tubular body.

8. The intravascular filter as in claim 4, wherein the flexible coupler is thinner than the tubular body.

9. The intravascular filter as in claim 1, wherein the flex zone has a thinner wall than the proximal and distal adjacent portions of the tubular body.