Convertible blood clot filter
AssigneeAngioDynamics, Inc.
InventorsNilesh H. Patel, Kenneth P. Moresco, William M. Appling
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Abstract
A vena cava blood clot filter is described that is attached to the walls of the vena cava by barbed anchors. In its filtering state, the filter is cone shaped which causes the blood to be filtered. The cone shape is formed by an appropriate restraining mechanism. When it is desired to stop filtering, the restraining mechanism is released and the filter takes a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shaped filter will then line the vena cava wall and cease filtration of the blood.
Claims35
A blood filter mechanism for use in a vascular lumen comprising:
- an implantable filter having an active state and an inactive state;
- said filter, when in said active state, being positioned to catch blood clots while said filter is implanted in the vascular lumen;
- and
- said filter, when in said inactive state, being positioned to pass blood clots while said filter is implanted in the vascular lumen.
A blood filter mechanism for use in a vascular lumen comprising
- a implantable filter having a filtering portion capable of being in a position of intercepting particles in blood flowing in the vascular lumen;
- said filtering portion having a central opening sized to pass through particles less than a predetermined size.
A method of filtering blood clots in a vascular lumen, comprising the steps of:
- implanting a blood clot filter in said vascular lumen;
- said filter having a first shape capable of filtering said blood clots;
- and
- altering said first shape of said filter to a second shape to pass said blood clots.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.