Tethered vena cava filter apparatus and method of using same

1. A tethered vena cava filter comprising:

an elongate member having a distal end and a proximal end; and

a vena cava filter member comprised of a plurality of struts including a first plurality of struts, a second plurality of struts, and a fixed immovable proximal end connected to the distal end of the elongate member, wherein the first plurality of struts extend distally from the fixed immovable proximal end of the vena cava filter member and axially along a longitudinal axis of the vena cava filter member defining a first set of fenestrations between adjacent pairs of the first plurality of struts; at least some of the second plurality of struts extend to a distal end of the each of the first plurality of struts defining apices connecting adjacent pairs of the first plurality of struts, the apices extend circumferentially around the vena cava filter member and define an undulating ring member at the distal end of each of the first plurality of struts, the second plurality of struts further defining a second set of fenestrations, wherein the second set of fenestrations are smaller than the first set of fenestrations;

wherein the second plurality of struts form a lattice-like pattern upon diametric expansion of the filter member and the lattice-like pattern projects axially along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member tapering to form at least one petal-like projection.

2. A tethered vena cava filter comprising:

an elongate member having a distal end and a proximal end; and

a vena cava filter member comprised of a plurality of struts including a first plurality of struts, a second plurality of struts, a third plurality of struts, and a fixed immovable proximal end connected to the distal end of the elongate member, wherein the first plurality of struts extend distally from the fixed immovable proximal end of the vena cava filter member and axially along a longitudinal axis of the vena cava filter member defining a first set of fenestrations between adjacent pairs of the first plurality of struts; at least some of the second plurality of struts extend to a distal end of the each of the first plurality of struts defining apices connecting adjacent pairs of the first plurality of struts, the apices extend circumferentially around the vena cava filter member and define an undulating ring member at the distal end of each of the first plurality of struts, the second plurality of struts further defining a second set of fenestrations, wherein the second set of fenestrations are smaller than the first set of fenestrations, the third plurality of struts each having a first end extending from at least some of the plurality of second struts and along the longitudinal axis of the vena cava filter member, and a second end joined to a circumferentially adjacent one of the third plurality of struts thereby forming a portion of the third plurality of struts that surrounds at least a portion of the elongate member and which is movable along a longitudinal axis of the elongate member;

wherein the third plurality of struts define a first substantially conical section of the vena cava filter member and the first plurality of struts and the second plurality of struts define a second substantially conical section of the vena cava filter member.

3. The tethered vena cava filter according to claim 2 where:

the elongate member further comprises a catheter body having:

a first lumen extending from a first opening on the proximal end of the catheter body proximal to the filter member; and

a second lumen extending from a second opening on the distal end of the catheter body distal to the filter member.

4. The tethered vena cava filter according to claim 3 further comprising:

a sensor operably associated with at least one of the first and the second openings.

5. The tethered vena cava filter according to claim 4 wherein the sensor is selected from the group of pressure sensors, flow sensors, analyte sensors, thermal sensors and optical sensors.

6. The tethered vena cava filter according to claim 2 further comprising at least one infusion port associated with at least one infusion lumen in the elongate member.

7. The tethered vena cava filter according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one infusion port further comprises a plurality of infusion ports arrayed along a longitudinal axis and a circumferential axis of the elongate member.

8. The tethered vena cava filter according to claim 6 wherein the at least one infusion port further comprises a plurality of infusion ports arrayed along a longitudinal axis and a circumferential axis between the fixed end and the open end of the filter member.

9. The tethered vena cava filter member of claim 2 , wherein the first substantially conical section of the vena cava filter member is proximal the second substantially conical section of the vena cava filter member.

10. The tethered vena cava filter member of claim 2 , wherein the first substantially conical section of the vena cava filter member is distal the second substantially conical section of the vena cava filter member.