US 6,371,971 B1 · Guidewire filter and methods of use

Abstract

A filter system for temporary placement of a filter in an artery or vein is disclosed. The filter system includes a guidewire that is first positioned across a lesion within a vessel. The guidewire may include a distal stop. A slideable filter is then advanced along the guidewire using an advancing mechanism, typically an elongate member slideable over the guidewire and contacting the filter. A capture sheath may be disposed about the filter during advancement. Once the filter is positioned downstream of the lesion, the capture sheath is withdrawn, allowing the filter to expand. Further distal advancement of the filter is prohibited by the stop. After expansion of the filter, the capture sheath and the advancing mechanism are withdrawn from the region of interest, and removed from the patient's vessel. The filter may then be retrieved using a capture sheath or exchanged for a second filter after removing the first filter.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A medical device comprising:

a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end;
a delivery sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween, the delivery sheath slideably engaging the guidewire;
a filter releasably carried within the lumen of the delivery sheath, the filter slideably engaging the guidewire and removable from the guidewire by sliding the filter proximally on the guidewire;
and
a first and second stop, the first stop disposed proximally of the filter and the second stop disposed distally of the filter, wherein the first stop is attachable to the guidewire at or near the proximal end of the filter, and The first stop is slideable along the guidewire, and wherein the second stop is secured to the guidewire;
wherein, in use, the guidewire is positioned within a vessel of a patient, the filter and delivery sheath are advanced along the guidewire to a region of interest within the vessel, and the delivery sheath is removed from the filter to release the filter.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Guidewire filter and methods of use

Life of this patent

Guidewire filter and methods of use

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10