Embolic protection device

• US 8,052,717 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2008
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Mujkanovic, Husnija
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson; Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLELLO, ERIN L
• Application Number:
  US12/172,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20100010534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 606/200
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/01 Filters implantable into blood vessels
• 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 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0076 ellipsoidal or ovoid

Abstract

The invention provides an embolic filter, a support structure therefor, and methods for preparing said filter for retrieval.

Claims

1. An embolic filter comprising:

a guide wire;

a filter element having a proximal opening disposed about the guide wire;

a support structure connected to the proximal opening of the filter element;

a linkage having attachment points on the support structure and the guide wire; and

a bridle connected to the support structure remotely from the attachment point between the linkage and the support structure;

wherein the bridle includes a first wire attached to the support structure at a first point remote from the attachment point between the linkage and the support structure, and a second wire attached to the support structure at a second point remote from the attachment point between the linkage and the support structure;

wherein the first point and the second point are positioned on the support structure generally symmetrically about the attachment point between the linkage and the support structure;

wherein the linkage extends distally from the attachment point on the support structure;

wherein the bridle extends from the support structure to a proximal end of the guide wire;

wherein displacing the bridle proximally at least partially tilts the support structure about the guide wire.

2. The embolic filter of claim 1, wherein the support structure is a flexible ring.

3. The embolic filter of claim 1, wherein the linkage having attachment points on the support structure and the guide wire;

wherein the linkage is slideably attached to the guide wire.

4. The embolic filter of claim 3, wherein the distal end of the filter element is fixedly attached to the guide wire.

5. The embolic filter of claim 1, wherein the linkage having attachment points on the support structure and the guide wire;

wherein the linkage is fixedly attached to the guide wire.

6. The embolic filter of claim 5, wherein the distal end of the filter element is slideably attached to the guide wire.

7. The embolic filter of claim 1, wherein the filter element comprises a sheet or mesh having a plurality of openings therethrough providing fluid communication between at least a portion of its two major surfaces.

8. The embolic filter of claim 1, further comprising a deadeye, fixed to the guide wire proximal the support structure, having an opening through which the bridle passes.

9. The embolic filter of claim 1, wherein displacing the bridle proximally at least partially elongates the support structure in a dimension generally parallel to the guide wire and narrows the support structure in a dimension generally perpendicular to the guide wire.

10. A method of retrieving an embolic filter comprising:

providing a guide wire;

providing a filter element having a proximal opening disposed about the guide wire;

providing a support structure connected to the proximal opening of the filter element;

providing a linkage having attachment points on the support structure and the guide wire;

providing a bridle connected to the support structure remotely from the attachment point between the linkage and the support structure;

wherein the bridle includes a first wire attached to the support structure at a first point remote from the attachment point between the linkage and the support structure, and a second wire attached to the support structure at a second point remote from the attachment point between the linkage and the support structure;

wherein the first point and the second point are positioned on the support structure generally symmetrically about the attachment point between the linkage and the support structure;

wherein the linkage extends distally from the attachment point on the support structure;

wherein the bridle extends from the support structure to a proximal end of the guide wire; and

withdrawing the bridle proximally to at least partially elongate the support structure in a dimension generally parallel to the guide wire and to narrow the support structure in a dimension generally perpendicular to the guide wire;

wherein displacing the bridle proximally at least partially tilts the support structure about the guide wire.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing a sheath associated with, and slideable relative to, the guide wire, wherein the sheath has a lumen adapted to contain the at least partially elongated support structure and further withdrawing the bridle until the support structure is substantially within the lumen of the sheath.