Apparatus and method for filtering intravascular fluids and for delivering diagnostic and therapeutic agents

An apparatus for filtering fluids intravascularly comprising:

• a resilient fiber core having a preset shape;
• a polymer material covering the resilient fiber core and having a shape defined by the preset shape of the resilient fiber core;
• and
• a filtering device attached to said polymer material for filtering fluids;
• wherein said polymer tubing comprises a means for delivering and infusing a fluid-based therapeutic agent into a vessel adjacent to said filtering device.

A method for filtering fluids intravascularly, comprising the steps of:

• providing an apparatus having a resilient fiber core with a preset shape, a soft polymer tubing encasing the resilient fiber core and adapting to the shape of the resilient fiber core, and a filtering device attached to said polymer tubing for filtering fluids;
• placing said apparatus into a vessel;
• and
• causing a diameter of said filtering device to enlarge within the vessel.

A coil apparatus for filtering fluids intravascularly, comprising:

• a resilient fiber core having a linear portion and a coiled portion;
• a polymer tubing encasing the resilient fiber core and adapting to the shape of the resilient fiber core, said polymer tubing comprising a first portion encasing the linear portion of the resilient fiber core and a second portion encasing the coiled portion of the resilient fiber core;
• and
• a filtering device attached to said second portion of said polymer tubing for filtering fluids.

An apparatus for filtering fluids intravascularly, comprising:

• a resilient fiber core having a preset shape;
• a polymer material covering the resilient fiber core and having a shape defined by the preset shape of the resilient fiber core;
• and
• a filtering device attached to said polymer material for filtering fluids;
• wherein said polymer material has a lumen and a means for releasing fluid-based agents delivered through said lumen.