Deflectable intravascular filter
View Patent ↗Single filter and multi-filter endolumenal methods and systems for filtering fluids within the body. In some embodiments a blood filtering system captures and removes particulates dislodged or generated during a surgical procedure and circulating in a patient's vasculature. In some embodiments a filter system protects the cerebral vasculature during a cardiac valve repair or replacement procedure.
1. An intravascular filter, comprising:
a proximal sheath;
a proximal shaft extending through the proximal sheath;
an expandable proximal filter carried by the proximal shaft and collapsed within the proximal sheath;
an articulable distal sheath extending through the proximal shaft, the articulable distal sheath having an articulation zone comprising a pull wire, wherein proximal retraction of the pull wire causes the articulation zone to articulate;
an elongate, flexible tubular body, having a proximal end and a distal end, and a guidewire lumen extending therethrough, the elongate flexible tubular body extending through the articulable sheath;
a filter frame comprising a loop and a strut; the loop residing in a plane that intersects the tubular body at a non normal angle, and the strut connecting the loop to the tubular body;
a filter membrane extending from the loop in a distal direction to a point of attachment to the tubular body; and
a flex zone on the tubular body positioned proximal to the filter frame and distal to the expandable proximal filter, the flex zone having a different flexibility than proximal and distal adjacent portions of the tubular body and wherein the guidewire lumen extends through the flex zone.
2. The intravascular filter as in claim 1 , wherein the flex zone comprises at least one slot in the tubular body.
3. The intravascular filter as in claim 2 , wherein the flex zone is located within about 5 cm of a proximal end of the filter.
4. The intravascular filter as in claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises a polymer.
5. The intravascular filter as in claim 1 , wherein the flex zone comprises a flexible coupler.
6. The intravascular filter as in claim 5 , wherein the flexible coupler comprises at least one slot in the tubular body.
7. The intravascular filter as in claim 5 , wherein the flexible coupler comprises a separate component spliced into a gap along the tubular body.
8. The intravascular filter as in claim 5 , wherein the flexible coupler is integrally formed with the tubular body.
9. The intravascular filter as in claim 5 , wherein the flexible coupler is thinner than the tubular body.
10. The intravascular filter as in claim 1 , wherein the flex zone has a thinner wall than the proximal and distal adjacent portions of the tubular body.