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;
support members for supporting the capture members relative to a wall of a blood vessel, the support members including:
a proximal first support portion configured to extend circumferentially around a wall of a blood vessel;
a distal second support portion configured to extend circumferentially around the wall of a blood vessel;
a third support portion configured to extend along the wall of the blood vessel and comprising a plurality of struts connecting the first support portion to the second support portion;
wherein a distal end of the first support portion is located proximally of a proximal end of the capture members and a proximal end of the second support portion is located distally of a distal end of the capture members;
wherein the capture members are movable between a capturing configuration and an open configuration, the capture members being located between the plurality of struts of the third support portion when in the open configuration so that the vascular filter forms a tubular shape;
wherein the filter comprises a holder member to hold the capture members in the capturing configuration;
wherein the holder member is biodegradable and/or bio-absorbable; and
wherein the holder member extends through openings in the capture members.
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 3 , wherein the holder member has a reduced tensile strength at a failure region.
5. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the holder member comprises one or more openings at the failure region.
6. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the holder member is attached to a capture member such that once the holder member breaks it stays attached to said capture member.
7. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the openings in the capture members are in the form of eyelets.
8. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first support portion extends circumferentially in a crown or sinusoid pattern.
9. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second support portion extends circumferentially in a crown or sinusoid pattern.
10. 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.
11. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 10 , wherein at least part of the anchor barb elements are biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable.
12. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the capture members are biased towards the open configuration, at which all members of the vascular filter exert pressure against a vessel to promote tissue encapsulation.
13. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the capture members extend towards an apex when in the capturing configuration.
14. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the openings in the capture members are disposed adjacent the apex.
15. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the apex is substantially in-line with a longitudinal axis extending through a centre of the filter.
16. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises tensioning members to tension the capture members.
17. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the tensioning members are connected to the capture members by connecting members which are biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable.
18. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the filter is a vena cava filter.
19. A vascular filter comprising:
a tubular support frame including
a proximal first, circumferential support portion;
a distal second, circumferential support portion; and
a third support portion comprising a plurality of struts connecting the first support portion to the second support portion; and
a capture frame located within the support frame and having a capturing configuration and an open configuration, the capture frame including
capture members each having at least a first end extending from the third support portion of the support frame and a second end, the capture members being biased toward the tubular support frame, wherein a proximal end of the second support portion is located distally of a distal end of the capture members, the capture members being located between the plurality of struts of the third support portion when in the open configuration so that the vascular filter forms a tubular shape, the second ends of the capture members being secured together by a biodegradable and/or bio-absorbable holder member when the capture frame is in the capturing configuration.
20. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the holder member comprises a suture.
21. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the holder member comprises one or more predetermined failure regions.
22. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the holder member has a reduced tensile strength at a failure region.
23. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the holder member comprises one or more openings at a failure region.
24. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the holder member is attached to a capture member such that once the holder member breaks it stays attached to the capture member.
25. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the holder member extends through eyelets of the capture members.
26. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the first support portion extends circumferentially in a crown or sinusoid pattern.
27. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the second support portion extends circumferentially in a crown or sinusoid pattern.
28. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the filter comprises anchor barb elements on the support frame configured to be embedded at least partially into a wall of a blood vessel.
29. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 28 , wherein at least part of the anchor barb elements are biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable.
30. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the capture members extend towards an apex when in the capturing configuration.
31. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 30 , wherein the holder member extends through openings in the capture members adjacent the apex.
32. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 30 , wherein the apex is substantially in-line with a longitudinal axis extending through a centre of the filter.
33. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the filter comprises tensioning members to tension the capture members.
34. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 33 , wherein the tensioning members are connected to the capture members by connecting members which are biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable.
35. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the filter is a vena cava filter.
36. A vascular filter for capturing a thrombus in a vessel comprising:
a tubular support frame including:
a proximal first, circumferential support portion;
a distal second, circumferential support portion; and
a third support portion comprising a plurality of struts connecting the first support portion to the second support portion; and
a capture frame coupled to the support frame and having a capturing configuration and an open configuration, the capture frame including
a plurality of capture members, each having a first portion coupled to the support frame and a second portion located adjacent a longitudinal axis of the filter when in the capturing configuration, wherein, during use in the open configuration, the plurality of capture members are located between the plurality of struts of the third support portion so that the vascular filter forms a tubular shape, the capture members further being formed of a first material, and
a holder member securing together at least two capture members, the holder member being formed of a second material different than the first material, the second material including a biodegradable and/or bio-absorbable material.
37. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the holder member comprises a suture.
38. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the holder member comprises one or more predetermined failure regions.
39. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 38 , wherein the holder member has a reduced tensile strength at a failure region.
40. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 38 , wherein the holder member comprises one or more openings at a failure region.
41. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the holder member is attached to a capture member such that once the holder member breaks it stays attached to the capture member.
42. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the holder member extends through eyelets of the capture members.
43. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the first support portion extends circumferentially in a crown or sinusoid pattern.
44. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the second support portion extends circumferentially in a crown or sinusoid pattern.
45. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the filter comprises anchor barb elements on the support frame configured to be embedded at least partially into a wall of a blood vessel.
46. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 45 , wherein at least part of the anchor barb elements are biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable.
47. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the capture members are biased towards the open configuration, at which all members of the vascular filter exert pressure against a vessel to promote tissue encapsulation.
48. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the holder member extends through openings in the capture members.
49. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the filter comprises tensioning members to tension the capture members.
50. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 49 , wherein the tensioning members are connected to the capture members by connecting members which are biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable.
51. A vascular filter as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the filter is a vena cava filter.