Absorbable vascular filter

Abstract

An absorbable vascular filter is disclosed for deployment within a vessel for temporary filtering of body fluids. A preferred embodiment is the placement of such absorbable vascular filter within the inferior vena cava (IVC) to filter emboli for the prevention of pulmonary embolism for a limited duration in time. Once protection from PE is complete, the filter is biodegraded according to a planned schedule determined by the absorption properties of the filter components. Hence the temporary absorbable vascular filter obviates the long term complications of permanent IVC filters such as increased deep vein thrombosis, neighboring organ puncture from filter fracture and embolization while also circumventing the removal requirement of metal retrievable IVC filters.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 036,351, entitled "Absorbable Vascular Filter," filed February 28, 2011 by Mitchell Eggers electronically, and filed April 28, 2011 US Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 096,049 entitled "Vascular Filter Stent," filed electronically by Mitchell Eggers, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. technical field [0003] The present invention relates generally to vascular filters, and more particularly to absorbable vascular filters deployed within blood vessels to temporarily filter bodily fluids. A preferred embodiment is to place such an absorbable vascular filter within the inferior vena cava (IVC) to prevent pulmonary embolism for a specific time period determined by the absorbing properties of the filter. Background technique [0004] Every year, 100,000 to 300,000 Americans die from pulmonary embolism...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although these types of retrievable filters are intended to be removed over a period of several months, some studies have shown that approximately 70%-81% of patients with retrievable IVC filters do not return to the hospital to remove Thousands of patients have suffered life-threatening adverse events from long-term retrievable IVC filter placement [41,44,46-48]

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