Flow directional infusion device

1. A flow directional infusion device for reducing reflux of an agent in an infusate in a vessel during a therapy procedure, comprises:

a) a catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion with a distal end; and

b) a composite filter valve located at said distal portion of said catheter, said filter valve having a proximal end fixed to said catheter, and a distal end, said filter valve comprising,

i) a plurality of elongate polymeric first filaments provided in a braid and together defining a valve, each of said first filaments having a diameter of 0.025 mm to 0.127 mm, said first filaments having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends of the said first filaments, said proximal ends of said first filaments secured relative to each other,

said valve fully collapsible into an undeployed state, and expandable from said undeployed state into a radially-expanded deployed state by a spring bias of said first filaments, said first filaments extending relative to each other in said braid in a non-bonded state such that they are movable relative to each other as said valve moves from said undeployed state to said deployed state,

wherein in said deployed state said first filaments cross one another within said braid at an angle of 100° to 150°, and said first filaments have a Young's modulus of elasticity greater than 100 MPa, and

ii) a filter formed by polymeric second filaments that are integrated with said valve by electrostatically depositing or spinning said second filaments onto the first filaments, said filter defining a pore size not exceeding 500 μm,

wherein said filter valve expands from said undeployed state to said deployed state in less than one second in an at-rest fluid having a viscosity of 3.2 cP,

wherein once said filter valve is in said deployed state in the vessel, said filter valve is dynamically movable within the vessel between an expanded valve-open configuration and a collapsed valve-closed configuration depending on local biological fluid flow conditions about said filter valve, and when said filter valve is in said valve-open configuration, said pore size of said filter renders said filter impermeable to the agent of the infusate, and

said filter valve having a circumferential wall defining an opening located proximal of said distal end of said filter valve for transfer of the infusate from a location within said catheter, through said opening in said circumferential wall of said filter so as to exit the filter valve in a radially non-uniform manner, and to deliver the infusate from said filter valve into the vessel at a location proximal said distal end of said filter valve.

2. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 1 , wherein:

said opening includes a longitudinal break in an outer wall defining of said filter valve.

3. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 2 , wherein:

said longitudinal break extends along said length of said filter valve.

4. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 1 , wherein:

said opening includes a circumferential discontinuity along an entire length of said circumferential wall of said filter valve.

5. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 1 , wherein:

said opening includes a radial hole between said proximal and distal portions of said filter valve.

6. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 1 , wherein:

said distal end of said catheter is radially displaceable relative to said opening.

7. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 6 , wherein:

said distal end of said catheter is steerable through said opening.

8. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 6 , wherein:

said distal end of said catheter is provided with a pre-defined radial bias that biases said distal end of said catheter toward said opening.

9. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second catheter having a distal end, said second catheter extending through and longitudinally displaceable relative to said catheter such that said distal end of said second catheter can be advanced relative to said opening to infuse the infusate through said second catheter and said opening.

10. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a sleeve longitudinally displaceable relative to said filter valve,

wherein when said sleeve is located over said filter valve, said filter valve is retained in said undeployed state, and

when said sleeve is refracted relative to said filter valve, said filter valve automatically enters said deployed state.

11. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 1 , wherein:

said filter valve expands to a substantial frustoconical shape.

12. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a hub fixed at said distal end of said filter valve.

13. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 12 , further comprising:

a tubular control element extending through said catheter and said filter valve and abutting against a proximal face of said hub, and

a guidewire extending through said tubular control element and beyond a distal portion of said hub.

14. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 13 , wherein:

said hub includes a self-closing valve such that when said guidewire is withdrawn out of said hub, said hub forms a fluid barrier at said distal end of said filter valve.

15. A flow directional infusion device for reducing reflux of an embolic agent in an infusate in a vessel during a therapy procedure, comprises:

a) a catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion with a distal end; and

b) a composite filter valve located at said distal portion of said catheter, said filter valve having a proximal end fixed to said catheter, and a distal end, said filter valve comprising,

i) a plurality of elongate polymeric first filaments provided in a tubular form braid, each of said first filaments having a diameter of 0.025 mm to 0.127 mm, said first filaments having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending between the proximal and distal ends of the said first filaments, said proximal ends of said first filaments secured relative to each other and defining a valve,

said valve fully collapsible into an undeployed state, and expandable from said undeployed state into a radially-expanded deployed state by a spring bias of said first filaments, said first filaments extending relative to each other in said braid in a non-bonded state such that they are movable relative to each other as said valve moves from said undeployed state to said deployed state,

wherein in said deployed state said first filaments cross one another within said braid at an angle of 100° to 150°, and said first filaments have a Young's modulus of elasticity greater than 100 MPa, and

ii) a filter formed by polymeric second filaments that are integrated with said valve by electrostatically depositing or spinning said second filaments onto said first filaments, said filter defining a pore size not exceeding 500 μm such that said filter is impermeable to the embolic agent, and said filter applied to said braid of first filaments about an axis of rotation that is less than 360° around said tubular form braid to thereby define a non-filtering portion of said filter valve that is permeable to the embolic agent, said non-filtering portion for transfer of the embolic agent from a location within said catheter, through said non-filtering portion, and to outside said filter valve,

wherein once said filter valve is in said deployed state in the vessel, said filter valve is dynamically movable within the vessel between an expanded valve-open configuration and a collapsed valve-closed configuration depending on local biological fluid flow conditions about said filter valve.

16. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 15 , wherein:

said non-filtering portion of said filter valve extends along an entire length of said filter valve.

17. The flow directional infusion device according to claim 15 , wherein:

said non-filtering portion of said filter valve extends along less than an entire length of said filter valve.