Devices and methods for magnetically manipulating intravascular devices

1. A magnetic retrieval device for retrieving an intravascular device disposed within a body lumen, comprising:

an elongated tubular sheath comprising at least one electromagnetic element, the elongated tubular sheath having a proximal section, a distal section, and an interior lumen at least in part therethrough, the elongated tubular sheath including a wall, said wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a body therebetween;

a magnetic retrieval mechanism adapted to magnetically retrieve the intravascular device; and

a number of wires, each wire extending from a first end fixedly coupled to the magnetic retrieval mechanism to a second end fixedly coupled to a distal end of the elongated tubular sheath;

wherein the magnetic retrieval mechanism is disposed within the interior lumen;

wherein the number of wires pass through the wall of the elongated tubular sheath.

2. The magnetic retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic retrieval mechanism comprises an elongated member and at least one magnetic element.

3. The magnetic retrieval device of claim 2 , wherein each magnetic element comprises a bar magnet.

4. The magnetic retrieval device of claim 2 , wherein each magnetic element comprises a magnetic ring or solenoid.

5. The magnetic retrieval device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic retrieval mechanism includes a magnetic element and an inner tubular member slidably disposed within the interior lumen of the elongated sheath.

6. The magnetic retrieval device of claim 5 , further comprising a locking mechanism for securing the intravascular device to the magnetic retrieval device.

7. A system for magnetically retrieving an intravascular filter disposed within a body lumen, comprising:

an intravascular filter device including an expandable frame structure and at least one magnetic element; and

a magnetic retrieval device adapted to magnetically retrieve the intravascular filter device, the magnetic retrieval device including a magnetic retrieval mechanism and a tubular elongated sheath comprising at least one electromagnetic element, the tubular elongated sheath including a wall, said wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a body therebetween;

wherein the tubular elongated sheath further includes an interior lumen therethrough, the interior lumen defined by the inner surface;

a number of wires, each wire extending from a first end fixedly coupled to the magnetic retrieval mechanism to a second end fixedly coupled to a distal end of the tubular elongated sheath;

wherein the number of wires are configured to extend through the wall of the tubular elongated sheath and to expand from a radially collapsed position to a radially expanded position as the magnetic retrieval mechanism is moved relative to the tubular elongated sheath.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic retrieval mechanism includes an elongated member operatively coupled to at least one magnetic element.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic retrieval mechanism includes another magnetic element and an inner tubular member slidably disposed within the interior lumen of the sheath.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the intravascular filter device includes a plurality of elongated filter legs operatively coupled to an apical head.

11. The system for of claim 10 , wherein each of said plurality of filter legs is biased to expand from a substantially straight position to an outswept position when deployed in a blood vessel.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the intravascular filter device further comprises anchoring means for securing the intravascular filter device to the wall of the blood vessel.

13. The system of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic element of the intravascular filter device is configured to produce a magnetic field.

14. The system of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic element of the intravascular filter device comprises a bar magnet.

15. The system of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic element of the intravascular filter device comprises a magnetic ring or solenoid.

16. The system of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic element of the intravascular filter device includes a ferromagnetic material.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein said ferromagnetic material of the intravascular filter device has a Curie temperature at or about body temperature.

18. The system of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic element of the intravascular filter device includes a paramagnetic material.