VASCULAR FILTER SYSTEM

摘要

A removable vascular filter system for blocking micro-emboli, and macro-emboli while allowing the continued perfusion of blood, comprises a filter membrane (20) positioned on a guide wire (10), wherein a free end of the membrane sits tightly against the guide wire when the filter membrane (20) is in a collapsed state. The filter has a means for deploying the filter membrane to assume a position substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the guide wire. The filter membrane (20) is comprised of a fine mesh material which has a pore size capable of blocking emboli while allowing continued blood flow, and a preferred embodiment of which comprises regularly spaced, laser-formed holes.