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 - 52 . (canceled)
53 . A vascular filter comprising:
a plurality of capture members for capturing thrombus passing through a blood vessel;
a tubular support frame including one or more support members for supporting the plurality of capture members relative to a wall of the blood vessel; and
a holder member configured to hold the plurality of capture members in the capturing configuration, the holder member having a coil portion disposed around a portion of the plurality of capture members, the coil portion having at least one free and untied end.
54 . The vascular filter of claim 53 , wherein the holder member is coupled to a free end of the plurality of capture members.
55 . The vascular filter of claim 54 , wherein the holder member is located at an end-most portion of the free end of the plurality of capture members.
56 . The vascular filter of claim 55 , wherein the holder member extends through eyelets in the plurality of capture members.
57 . The vascular filter of claim 56 , wherein the holder member includes a second free end.
58 . The vascular filter of claim 57 , wherein the tubular support frame includes a zig-zag configuration.
59 . The vascular filter of claim 58 , wherein the plurality of capture members are located adjacent an apex of the zig-zag configuration of the support frame.
60 . The vascular filter of claim 53 , wherein the holder is a permanent holder.
61 . A vascular filter comprising:
a plurality of capture members for capturing thrombus passing through a blood vessel;
a tubular support frame including one or more support members for supporting the capture members relative to a wall of the blood vessel, the capture members including a first end coupled to the support frame, and a second, free end; and
a holder member configured to hold the plurality of capture members at the free end of the capture members in the capturing configuration, the holder member having a coil portion disposed around a portion of the plurality of capture members.
62 . The vascular filter of claim 61 , wherein the holder member is located at an end-most portion of the free end of the plurality of capture members.
63 . The vascular filter of claim 62 , wherein the holder member extends through eyelets in the plurality of capture members.
64 . The vascular filter of claim 63 , wherein the tubular support frame includes a zig-zag configuration.
65 . The vascular filter of claim 61 , wherein the holder is a permanent holder.
66 . The vascular filter of claim 65 , wherein the plurality of capture members are integrally formed with the support frame.
67 . A vascular filter assembly comprising:
a vascular filter having:
a plurality of capture members for capturing thrombus passing through a blood vessel, the plurality of capture members including a free end having an opening, and
support members for supporting the capture members relative to a wall of the blood vessel;
a biodegradable or bioabsorbable holder member extending through the openings of the plurality of capture members to hold the capture members in a capturing configuration, the holder member comprising an anchoring knot directly securing the holder member to one of the capturing members.
68 . The vascular filter assembly of claim 67 , wherein the holder member is configured to break at a point along the holder member away from the knot.
69 . The vascular filter assembly of claim 68 , wherein the point along the holder away from the knot comprises a failure point having a tensile strength less than a tensile strength of the knot.
70 . The vascular filter assembly of claim 67 , wherein the holder member includes a suture.
71 . The vascular filter assembly of claim 70 , wherein the suture extends twice through the opening of the capture member that has the holder member secured thereto by the knot.