Temporary vascular filter, guide wire

Abstract

A vascular filter guide wire is disclosed for directing precision placement of a catheter proximate a blood vessel lesion and filtering particulate matter dislodged by treatment of the vessel. The guide wire includes an actuating mechanism, an elongated flexible core wire having a proximal end mounted to the actuating mechanism and a distal end for insertion through a vasculature to a position downstream of the restriction. A tubular flexible shaft is slidably disposed telescopically along the core wire and includes a proximal portion affixed to the actuating mechanism in movable relation to the core wire. The guide wire includes a collapsible filter at its proximal end to the distal portion of the shaft and, at its distal end, to the core wire. The filter deploys radially in response to axial movement of the core wire relative to the shaft so that it can trap particulate matter arising from treatment of the lesion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to vascular filters intended to capture embolic particles, by means of filtration, that may arise from the treatment of diseased blood vessels. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Percutaneous intravascular treatment of diseased blood vessels, such as angioplasty or stent placement procedures, may result in the dislodgment of loose plaque or thrombus which then migrate downstream. Since any such particles may become lodged in other vessels, effectively preventing blood from passing into the organ which that vessel supplies, and potentially causing serious end-organ damage which may be difficult or impossible to reverse, effective avoidance of this complication is extremely important. [0003] One of the early methods of removing residual matter resulting from an angioplasty procedure using a balloon catheter involved maintaining the balloon in an inflated state while performing the intended intervention on the blood vessel. In this ma...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The apparatus and method of the present invention minimizes the complexity associated with manipulating a vascular filter during an angioplasty or stent placement procedure by incorporating the filter on a catheter guide wire such that the guide wire performs the dual functions of guiding the catheter to a stenosed location, and filtering dislodged particles flowing downstream of the treated area. Moreover, because the guide wire operates independently of the catheter, relative spacing between the filter and the lesion location may be easily altered, and exchanges of various devices over the wire are possible.

Problems solved by technology

While conventional vena caval filters work well for their intended purposes, they suffer from the disadvantages associated with damaging the inner vessel wall through the inherent penetrating nature of the hooks, and blockage caused over time as the filter becomes endothelialized with the blood vessel inner wall or as recurrent blood clots obstruct blood flow through the filter.

The extra lines and wires typically create added complexity for the operator.

Because the conventional filters are mounted to the distal ends of the respective catheters, adjustments during the procedure typically cannot be made.

Furthermore, the use of balloon catheters and stent devices involving the same procedure could not be achieved with filter protection in place.

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