METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILTERING BLOOD IN A BLOOD VESSEL OF A PATIENT

摘要

A method of filtering blood in a blood vessel of a patient wherein a catheter is initially introduced into the blood vessel and then advanced to a desired location within the blood vessel. Subsequently, a portion of a positioning means having a filter distally attached thereto is guided through the catheter. The filter is then positioned at a location beyond the distal end of the catheter within the blood vessel with the positioning means. The positioning means is then locked to the catheter. The catheter is then anchored to an object located outside of the blood vessel. Thereafter, an amount of blood is filtered within the blood vessel with the filter. The filter can be readily repositioned by unlocking the positioning means from the catheter, repositioning the filter within the blood vessel with the positioning means and then relocking the positioning means to the catheter.