Expandable blood clot filter
US4494531A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 6, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2250/0098
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A blood clot filter which is particularly suited for filtering emboli from blood circulating through the inferior vena cava. The filter is comprised of a number of strands of shape memory wire which are interconnected and wadded together to form a curly wire mesh. The wire strands may be substantially straightened in order to permit insertion of the filter within the lumen of an angiography catheter. The filter includes a number of projections which serve as an anchoring means for anchoring the filter at a suitable body location within the inferior vena cava. One of the strands of wire includes a zig-zag which permits the attachment of the filter to the stretched distal end of a helically formed wire guide, thereby permitting the filter to be urged longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter for positioning within the inferior vena cava. In order to implant the filter, a percutaneous catheterization is made using a femoral approach. Once inside the inferior vena cava, the filter is pushed out of the catheter using the wire guide. The filter automatically expands to fill the passageway of the inferior vena cava without causing substantial occlusion thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.