Multi-lumen central access vena cava filter apparatus and method of using same

A vena cava filter catheter medical device comprising:

• a catheter body having a distal end and a proximal end;
• and
• a vena cava filter member circumferentially coupled to the distal end of the catheter body and having a fixed end coupled circumferentially in fixed relation to the catheter body and an open end circumferentially surrounding the catheter body and opening toward the proximal end of the catheter body, the vena cava filter member comprising a plurality of struts configured to form a generally frustroconical filter section of the vena cava filter member tapering distally from the open end to an apex at the fixed end of the generally frustroconical filter section, the plurality of struts further configured to form interstitial openings;
• the vena cava filter member being diametrically expandable in a patient's blood vessel with the open end expanding towards the proximal end of the catheter body such that blood flows into the open end, and is filtered by the plurality of struts to collect thrombus .

A vena cava filter catheter medical device comprising:

• a catheter body having a distal end and a proximal end;
• and
• a vena cava filter member circumferentially coupled about the distal end of the catheter body and having a first end coupled circumferentially in fixed relation to the catheter body and a second end opposite the fixed end circumferentially and movably coupled to the catheter body, the vena cava filter member consisting of a first plurality of struts, a second plurality of struts, and a third plurality of struts fewer than the first plurality of struts, where:
• the first plurality of struts extend axially from either the first end or second end along a longitudinal axis of the filter member;
• the second plurality of struts connect to the first plurality of struts, the second plurality of struts forming conjoined ring-like structures extending circumferentially about the filter member;
• and
• the third plurality of struts connect to the conjoined ring-like structures formed by the second plurality of struts and extend to either the second end or the first end along the longitudinal axis of the filter member;
• where the fewer third plurality of struts form first openings having an open surface area that is larger than an open surface area of second openings formed by the first plurality of struts;
• the vena cava filter member being configured to diametrically expand in a patient's blood vessel with the first plurality of struts positioned to extend from the first or second end towards the distal end of the catheter body when placed by a suprarenal approach or towards the proximal end of the catheter body when placed by an infrarenal approach such that blood flows into the first openings and then through the second openings.