Multiple membrane embolic protection filter
View Patent ↗An embolic protection filter having a plurality of filter membranes for collecting embolic debris within a body lumen is disclosed. An embolic protection filter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first filter membrane coupled to an elongated member, a second filter membrane coupled to the elongated member distal the first filter membrane, and an actuator mechanism for actuating the embolic protection filter within a vessel.
1. An embolic protection filter having a proximal end and a distal end for using during a therapeutic procedure in a patient, the filter comprising:
a first filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to an elongated member;
a second filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to the elongated member distal the first filter membrane; and
a filter frame adapted to support the first and second filter membranes within a body lumen;
wherein when the filter is disposed percutaneously, the first filter membrane is actuatable from an expanded position to a collapsed position independent of the second filter membrane in response to a force applied to the filter from the proximal end.
2. The embolic protection filter of claim 1 , wherein said elongated member is a guidewire.
3. The embolic protection filter of claim 1 , wherein said elongated member is a hypo-tube.
4. The embolic protection filter of claim 1 , wherein said elongated member is a catheter.
5. The embolic protection filter of claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second filter membranes comprise a microporous membrane.
6. The embolic protection filter of claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second filter membranes comprise a woven or braided mesh screen.
7. The embolic protection filter of claim 1 , wherein the first filter membrane includes a first set of openings, and wherein the second filter membrane includes a second set of openings.
8. The embolic protection filter of claim 7 , wherein the size of the first set of openings is the same as the size of the second set of openings.
9. The embolic protection filter of claim 7 , wherein the size of the first set of openings is larger than the size of the second set of openings.
10. The embolic protection filter of claim 1 , wherein said filter frame comprises a plurality of support struts.
11. The embolic protection filter of claim 10 , wherein said plurality of support struts are biased in an outward direction.
12. The embolic protection filter of claim 10 , wherein said plurality of support struts comprise a first set of support struts and a second set of support struts.
13. The embolic protection filter of claim 10 , wherein said plurality of support struts are formed of a metal.
14. The embolic protection filter of claim 13 , wherein said metal is stainless steel.
15. The embolic protection filter of claim 10 , wherein said plurality of support struts are formed of a shape-memory material.
16. The embolic protection filter of claim 15 , wherein said shape-memory material is a nickel-titanium alloy.
17. The embolic protection filter of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator mechanism.
18. An embolic protection filter having a proximal end and a distal end comprising:
a first filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to an elongated member;
a second filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to the elongated member distal the first filter membrane;
a filter frame adapted to support the first and second filter membranes within a body lumen;
wherein the first filter membrane is actuatable between an expanded position and a collapsed position independent of the second filter membrane in response to a force applied to the filter from the proximal end;
further comprising an actuator mechanism; and
wherein said actuator mechanism comprises a first retrieval member coupled to the first filter membrane, and a second retrieval member coupled to the second filter membrane.
19. The embolic protection filter of claim 18 , wherein each of said first and second retrieval members comprise one or more wires.
20. The embolic protection filter of claim 18 , wherein said elongated member includes a first opening configured to receive the first retrieval member, and a second opening configured to receive the second retrieval member.
21. An embolic protection filter having a proximal end and a distal end comprising:
a first filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to an elongated member;
a second filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end coupled to the elongated member distal the first filter membrane;
a filter frame adapted to support the first and second filter membranes within a vessel;
a first actuator mechanism coupled to the first filter membrane; and
a second actuator mechanism coupled to the second filter membrane;
wherein the first actuator mechanism may actuate the first filter membrane into a collapsed position independent of the second filter membrane in response to a force applied from the proximal end.
22. The embolic protection filter of claim 21 , wherein said elongated member is a guidewire.
23. The embolic protection filter of claim 21 , wherein said elongated member is a hypo-tube.
24. The embolic protection filter of claim 21 , wherein said elongated member is a catheter.
25. The embolic protection filter of claim 21 , wherein each of said first and second filter membranes comprise a microporous membrane.
26. The embolic protection filter of claim 21 , wherein each of said first and second filter membranes comprise a woven or braided mesh screen.
27. The embolic protection filter of claim 21 , wherein the first filter membrane includes a first set of openings, and wherein the second filter membrane includes a second set of openings.
28. The embolic protection filter of claim 27 , wherein the size of the first set of openings is the same as the size of the second set of openings.
29. The embolic protection filter of claim 27 , wherein the size of the first set of openings is larger than the size of the second set of openings.
30. The embolic protection filter of claim 21 , wherein said filter frame comprises a plurality of support struts.
31. The embolic protection filter of claim 30 , wherein said plurality of support struts are biased in an outward direction.
32. The embolic protection filter of claim 30 , wherein said plurality of support struts are formed of a metal.
33. The embolic protection filter of claim 32 , wherein said metal is stainless steel.
34. The embolic protection filter of claim 30 , wherein said plurality of support struts are formed of a shape-memory material.
35. The embolic protection filter of claim 34 , wherein said shape-memory material is a nickel-titanium alloy.
36. The embolic protection filter of claim 21 , wherein said first actuator mechanism comprises a first set of retrieval members configured to engage the first filter membrane, and said second actuator mechanism comprises a second set of retrieval members configured to engage the second filter membrane.
37. The embolic protection filter of claim 36 , wherein each of said first and second sets of retrieval members comprise two or more wires.
38. The embolic protection filter of claim 36 , wherein said elongated member includes a first opening configured to receive the first set of retrieval members, and a second opening configured to receive the second set of retrieval members.
39. An embolic protection device having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising:
a guidewire;
a filter coupled to the guidewire, the filter including a first filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end, a second filter membrane having a generally conical shape opening towards the proximal end, and a filter frame adapted to support the first and second filter membranes within a body lumen, the filter frame including a plurality of support struts;
a actuator mechanism for selectively actuating the first or second filter membranes;
wherein the first filter membrane is actuatable from an expanded position to a collapsed position independent of the second filter membrane in response to a force applied from the proximal end.
40. The embolic protection filter of claim 39 , wherein the plurality of support struts are biased in an outward direction.
41. The embolic protection filter of claim 39 , wherein the filter is slidably and rotatably coupled to the guidewire.