Everted filter device

摘要

Everting filter devices and methods for using the devices, including using the devices as intra-vascular filters to filter thrombus, emboli, and plaque fragments from blood vessels. The filter devices include a filter body nominally tubular in shape and having a large proximal opening. The filter body can extend from a proximal first end region distally over the non-everted exterior surface of the filter, further extending distally to a distal-most region, then converging inwardly and extending proximally toward the filter second end region, forming a distal everted cavity. The degree of eversion of the filter can be controlled by varying the distance between the filter first end region near the proximal opening and the closed second end region. Bringing the filter first and second end regions closer together can bring filter material previously on the non-everted filter exterior to occupy the distal-most region.

主权项

1. A device comprising:
a shaft having a distal end; and a filter body having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, the filter body being configured to expand from a delivery configuration to a filtering configuration in which the filter body is expanded to a vessel engaging diameter, the filter body in the filtering configuration having at least first and second filtering positions, the vessel engaging diameter of the filter body being maintained in both the first and second filtering positions, and a first length of the filter body along the shaft in the first filtering position being less than a second length of the filter body along the shaft in the second filtering position, the closed distal end of the filter body being connected to the distal end of the shaft, the distal end of the shaft being positioned within the filter body such that the closed distal end of the filter body forms an everted portion.