DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STAGED RELEASE OF VENA CAVA FILTER LEGS

摘要

A catheter (10) for stage-delivering a vena cava filter (12) within a body lumen is disclosed. The catheter may comprise an elongated tubular member (14) having a proximal section (16), a distal section (18), and an inner lumen (22) configured to receive an intravascular filter. One or more notches or slits (50, 52) radially disposed about the distal end of the catheter may be utilized to stage-deploy the filter within the body. Several grooves or indentations (54) disposed along an inner surface of the catheter may also be employed.