Methods for maintaining a filtering device within a lumen

摘要

In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of filtering blood flow in a lumen by positioning an open loop filter support structure within a lumen; maintaining a position of the open loop filter support structure within the lumen using radial force generated by the open loop filter support structure; and filtering blood flow in the lumen using a filter supported by the open loop filter support structure. In one aspect, there is also applying radial force generated by the open loop filter support structure along the axial dimension of the lumen.

主权项

1. A method of filtering blood flow in a vena cava, comprising:
positioning a collapsed open loop filter support structure comprising a first end, a second end, and two opposing spiral support elements within the vena cava; deploying the open loop filter support within the vena cava to position a portion of the filter support along the wall of the vena cava, wherein the two opposing spiral support elements cross over each other to form a crossover section between the first end and the second end; filtering blood flow in the vena cava using a filter supported by the open loop filter support structure, the filter extending between the crossover section and at least one of the first end or the second end; and moving the portion of the filter support relative to the wall of the vena cava to maintain the shape of the filter over a physiological range of the vena cava.