Valved embolic protection filter

• US 20040254601A1
• Filed: 06/12/2003
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Eskuri, Alan D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,537,600 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0108 Both ends closed, i.e. legs gathered at both ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/24 Heart valves ; Vascular valves, e.g. venous valves; Heart implants, e.g. passive devices for improving the function of the native valve or the heart muscle; Transmyocardial revascularisation [TMR] devices; Valves implantable in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2476 Valves implantable in the body not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/015 Stop means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/018 made from tubes or sheets of material, e.g. by etching or laser-cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/008 paraboloidal

Abstract

Embolic protection filters having means for retaining embolic debris captured therein are disclosed. An embolic protection filter in accordance with the present invention may include a filter frame disposable about a guidewire, a filter membrane for filtering embolic debris, and a valve configured to prevent the escape of filtered embolic debris. The valve may comprise a leaflet valve having a plurality of leaflets configured to engage each other about a coaptive region.

Claims

1. An embolic protection filter, comprising:

an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end;

a filter connected to the elongate member proximate the distal end; and

a valve connected to the filter.

2. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein said elongated member is a guidewire.

3. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, further comprising a filter frame including an annular-shaped member.

4. The embolic protection filter of claim 3, wherein said annular-shaped member forms a proximal mouth or opening for the filter.

5. The embolic protection filter of claim 3, wherein said annular-shaped member is biased to radially expand and deploy the filter when placed in the blood vessel.

6. The embolic protection filter of claim 3, wherein said annular-shaped member forms a valve body annulus for said valve.

7. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein said filter includes a filter membrane including a microporous membrane.

8. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein said filter includes a filter membrane including a mesh screen.

9. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein said valve is a leaflet valve.

10. The embolic protection filter of claim 9, wherein said leaflet valve comprises a plurality of coaptive leaflets.

11. The embolic protection filter of claim 10, wherein said plurality of coaptive leaflets engage each other about a coaptive region forming an aperture configured to receive the guidewire.

12. The embolic protection filter of claim 10, wherein said plurality of leaflets are configured to deflect away from the coaptive region in response to the flow of blood in the downstream direction, and resiliently return to the coaptive region in response to the flow of blood in the upstream direction.

13. The embolic protection filter of claim 10, wherein said plurality of leaflets are pivotally mounted to said filter frame.

14. The embolic protection filter of claim 10, wherein said plurality of leaflets are inclined radially inwardly in a distal direction.

15. The embolic protection filter of claim 10, wherein said plurality of leaflets are formed of an elastomeric material.

16. The embolic protection filter of claim 15, wherein said elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, thermoplastic rubber, thermoset rubber, polyurethane, thermoset polyurethane, polyethylene, and polytetraflouroethylene.

17. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein said valve is a bi-leaflet valve.

18. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein said valve is a tri-leaflet valve.

19. The embolic protection filter of claim 1, wherein said valve is a quad-leaflet valve.

20. An embolic protection filter, comprising:

a filter frame including an annular-shaped member disposable about an elongated member;

a filter membrane coupled to said annular-shaped member, said filter membrane comprising a microporous membrane or mesh screen for filtering embolic debris within a blood vessel; and

a plurality of coaptive leaflets pivotally mounted to the annular-shaped member, said plurality of coaptive leaflets configured to engage each other about a coaptive region forming an aperture configured to receive the elongated member.

21. The embolic protection filter of claim 20, wherein said elongated member is a guidewire.

22. The embolic protection filter of claim 20, wherein said annular-shaped member forms a proximal mouth or opening for the filter membrane.

23. The embolic protection filter of claim 20, wherein said annular-shaped member is biased to radially expand and deploy the filter membrane when placed in the blood vessel.

24. The embolic protection filter of claim 20, wherein said plurality of leaflets are configured to deflect away from the coaptive region in response to the flow of blood in the downstream direction, and resiliently return to the coaptive region in response to the flow of blood in the upstream direction.

25. The embolic protection filter of claim 20, wherein said plurality of leaflets are inclined radially inwardly in a distal direction.

26. The embolic protection filter of claim 20, wherein said plurality of leaflets are formed of an elastomeric material.

27. The embolic protection filter of claim 26, wherein said elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, thermoplastic rubber, thermoset rubber, polyurethane, thermoset polyurethane, polyethylene, and polytetraflouroethylene.

28. The embolic protection filter of claim 20, wherein said plurality of leaflets comprise two leaflets.

29. The embolic protection filter of claim 20, wherein said plurality of leaflets comprise three leaflets.

30. The embolic protection filter of claim 20, wherein said plurality of leaflets comprise four leaflets.

31. An embolic protection filter, comprising:

a filter frame including an annular-shaped member disposable about an elongated member;

a filter membrane coupled to said annular-shaped member, said filter membrane comprising a microporous membrane or mesh screen for filtering embolic debris within a blood vessel; and

a plurality of coaptive leaflets pivotally mounted to the annular-shaped member, said plurality of coaptive leaflets configured to engage each other about a coaptive region forming an aperture configured to receive the elongated member;

wherein said plurality of leaflets are configured to deflect away from the coaptive region in response to the flow of blood in the downstream direction, and resiliently return to the coaptive region in response to the flow of blood in the upstream direction.

32. An embolic protection filter, comprising:

a filter frame disposable about an elongated member;

a filter membrane coupled to the filter frame for filtering embolic debris within a blood vessel; and

means for retaining the embolic debris within the filter membrane.

33. The embolic protection filter of claim 32, wherein said means for retaining the embolic debris within the filter membrane comprises a leaflet valve.