Vascular filter
An inferior vena cava filter ( 340 ) for use in the inferior vena cava ( 4 ) to capture thrombus ( 8 ) passing through the inferior vena cava ( 4 ) towards the heart and lungs to prevent pulmonary embolism comprises a proximal support hoop ( 302 ), a distal support hoop ( 312 ) and a plurality of support struts ( 303 ) extending between the proximal support hoop ( 302 ) and the distal support hoop ( 312 ). The filter ( 340 ) also comprises a plurality of capture arms ( 121 ) which are movable from a capturing configuration to an open configuration. The capture arms ( 121 ) are biased towards the open configuration. A biodegradable suture holds the capture arms ( 121 ) in the capturing configuration.
1. A vascular filter comprising:
capture members for capturing thrombus passing through a blood vessel;
a tubular support frame for supporting the capture members relative to a wall of a blood vessel, the support frame including:
a proximal hoop extending circumferentially;
a distal hoop extending circumferentially;
connector members extending between the proximal and distal hoop;
wherein the filter includes a holder member to hold the capture members in a filtering configuration, and
the capture members are distributed in a tubular fashion between the connector members in the absence of a holder member such that the capture members and the connector members are non-overlapping.
2. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the holder member comprises a suture.
3. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the holder member comprises one or more predetermined failure regions.
4. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the holder member is attached to one of the capture members such that once the holder member breaks it stays attached to said capture members.
5. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , further including openings in the capture members in the form of eyelets.
6. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the proximal hoop extends circumferentially in a crown or sinusoid pattern.
7. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the distal hoop extends circumferentially in a crown or sinusoid pattern.
8. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises anchor barb elements on at least one support portion configured to be embedded at least partially into a wall of a blood vessel.
9. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the capture members are biased towards an open configuration, at which all members of the vascular filter exert pressure against a vessel to promote tissue encapsulation.
10. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the capture members extend towards an apex when in the capturing configuration.
11. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises tensioning members to tension the capture members.
12. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the filter is a vena cava filter.
13. A vascular filter comprising:
capture members for capturing thrombus passing through a blood vessel;
a tubular support frame for supporting the capture members relative to a wall of a blood vessel, the support frame including:
a proximal hoop extending circumferentially in a crown or sinusoid pattern;
a distal hoop extending circumferentially in a crown or sinusoid pattern;
connector members extending between the proximal and distal hoop;
wherein the filter includes a holder member to hold the capture members in a filtering configuration, and
the capture members are distributed in a tubular fashion between the connector members in the absence of a holder member such that the capture members and the connector members are non-overlapping.
14. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the capture members are biased towards an open configuration, at which all members of the vascular filter exert pressure against a vessel to promote tissue encapsulation.
15. A vascular filter comprising:
capture members for capturing thrombus passing through a blood vessel;
a tubular support frame for supporting the capture members relative to a wall of a blood vessel, the support frame including:
a proximal hoop extending circumferentially;
a distal hoop extending circumferentially;
connector members extending between the proximal and distal hoop;
wherein the filter includes a holder member to hold the capture members in a filtering configuration with an apex located between the proximal hoop and the distal hoop, and
the capture members are distributed in a tubular fashion between the connector members in the absence of a holder member such that the capture members and the connector members are non-overlapping.
16. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the capture members are biased towards an open configuration, at which all members of the vascular filter exert pressure against a vessel to promote tissue encapsulation.