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AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorsEdward Cully, Cody Hartman, Craig Nordhausen, Eric Tittelbaugh, Michael Vonesh
Estimating the term…
The present invention relates to a non-evertable blood filter that divides the transverse cross sectional area of a venous vessel into three annular regions or zones. The inner zone, the region immediately surrounding the longitudinal axis of the vessel, is maintained in a relatively open state with only minimal interference from the members making up the filter device so that blood flow can be maintained at a relatively normal rate. Concentrically surrounding the inner zone is the intermediate zone, to which captured emboli are directed out of the bloodstream passing primarily through the inner zone. Finally, concentrically surrounding the intermediate zone is the outer zone adjacent to the vessel wall. This is also intended to be kept free of emboli, so that emboli in the bloodstream immediately adjacent the vessel wall are directed away from the wall by the filter design and into the intermediate zone, thereby avoiding the accumulation of emboli adjacent the vessel wall that might otherwise result in stenosis. The blood filter is intended primarily for use as an inferior vena cava filter, although it can be made in a range of sizes allowing its use in blood vessels and particularly venous vessels of differing diameters. The filter is preferably removable.
A blood filter adapted for deployment in a vessel comprising a non-everting filter frame having at least three annular zones, an outer zone defined by an outer filter element, an intermediate zone adapted for collection of blood clots, and an inner zone allowing for continuing blood flow through the filter substantially uninterrupted by blood clots collected in the intermediate zone.
A filter adapted for deployment in a blood vessel for entrapment of blood clots that comprises a non-everting filter having a center flow zone wherein blood flow through the center flow zone is preserved even with accumulation of blood clots in the filter.
A blood filter comprising a non-everting filter having a longitudinal centerline and a blood clot capture zone within which blood clots are captured essentially in an annular region about the filter longitudinal centerline.
A method of forming anchoring hooks in an implantable medical device comprising a multiplicity of strut elements, said method comprising cutting through a thickness of at least one strut element and bending material away from the cut to provide an integral anchoring hook.
A blood filter comprising multiple struts having proximal and distal ends, wherein at least one strut incorporates a flexible anchoring hook, said anchoring hook located proximal to the distal end of the at least one strut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.