Intravascular filter membrane with shape memory
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorHorng-Ban Lin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An intravascular device can capture embolic debris. An intravascular filter can employ a shape memory filter membrane. In particular, an intravascular filter membrane can be designed for deployment in a vascular system. The filter membrane can be made of a shape memory polymer, and the membrane filter can be moveable between a collapsed insertion configuration and an expanded deployment configuration. The shape memory polymer remembers the expanded deployment configuration.
Claims33
An intravascular filter membrane for deployment in a vascular system, the filter membrane comprising a shape memory polymer, the membrane moveable between a collapsed insertion configuration and an expanded deployment configuration, wherein the polymer remembers the expanded deployment configuration.
An intravascular filter membrane having an insertion configuration and a deployment configuration, formed by the process of:
- providing a polymer membrane comprising a shape memory polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than about 37 degrees C.;
- shaping the polymer membrane into the deployment configuration at a temperature at or above about 37 degrees C., thereby locking the deployment configuration into memory;
- cooling the polymer membrane to ambient temperature;
- and
- deforming the polymer membrane into the insertion configuration.
An intravascular filter assembly comprising:
- a frame;
- and
- a filter membrane disposed on the frame, the filter membrane having an insertion configuration and a deployment configuration;
- wherein the filter membrane is formed of a shape memory polymer that remembers the deployment configuration and changes from the insertion configuration to the deployment configuration upon heating to about 37 degrees C.
A method of forming an intravascular filter membrane that has an insertion configuration and a deployment configuration, the method comprising:
- providing a polymer membrane comprising a shape memory polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than about 37 degrees C.;
- shaping the polymer membrane into the deployment configuration at a temperature at or above about 37 degrees C., thereby locking the deployment configuration into memory;
- cooling the polymer membrane to ambient temperature;
- and
- deforming the polymer membrane into the insertion configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.