Systems and methods for vascular filter retrieval

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for retrieving a vascular filter from a vessel are provided wherein a retrieval adapter is delivered to a treatment site concurrently along with an interventional device to reduce the number of steps required to remove the vascular filter. The retrieval adapter also reduces the possibility of entangling the vascular filter with a stent disposed within the vessel during removal of the vascular filter. A separate retrieval catheter is also described for use in conjunction with the retrieval adapter.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 684,942, filed Oct. 14, 2003; which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,651, filed Jan. 16, 2001 and thus claims priority thereof.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for retrieving a vascular device, such as a filter, from within a vessel. More particularly, the present invention provides apparatus useful for retrieving a vascular filter used to prevent embolization associated with diagnostic or therapeutic interventional procedures, thrombectomy and embolectomy.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Percutaneous interventional procedures to treat occlusive vascular disease, such as angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting, often dislodge material from the vessel walls. This dislodged material, known as emboli, enters the bloodstream and may be large enough to occlude smaller downstream vessels, potentially blocking blood flow to tissue. The resulting ischemia poses a serious threat ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]It is another object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus and methods that facilitate retrieval of a vascular filter, with reduced risk of entangling a retrieval sheath in a deployed stent.

[0013]These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a retrieval apparatus that reduces the time and effort required to retrieve a vascular filter from a patient's vessel.

[0015]Alternatively, upon completion of the interventional procedure, the guidewire and attached vascular filter may be withdrawn proximally until the vascular filter engages and is caused to be collapsed by the adapter. Once the vascular filter is collapsed, the vascular filter is partially withdrawn within the adapter, and the vascular filter, adapter, interventional device and guidewire are all removed from the vessel. This streamlined procedure provides a substantial improvement over previously known systems, which typically require exchanging the interventional device for a retrieval sheath before retrieving the vascular filter from the treatment site.

Problems solved by technology

This dislodged material, known as emboli, enters the bloodstream and may be large enough to occlude smaller downstream vessels, potentially blocking blood flow to tissue.

The resulting ischemia poses a serious threat to the health or life of a patient if the blockage occurs in critical tissue, such as the heart, lungs, or brain.

The deployment of stents and stent-grafts to treat vascular disease, such as aneurysms, involves the introduction of foreign objects into the bloodstream, and also may result in the formation of clots or release of emboli.

Such particulate matter, if released into the bloodstream, also may cause infarction or stroke.

One drawback associated with using a sheath to retrieve a filter is that the retrieval process requires two steps: (1) the interventional device (e.g., angioplasty catheter) must be removed and (2) the retrieval sheath must then be advanced along the guidewire to retrieve the filter.

Moreover, as the retrieval sheath is advanced along the guidewire, its distal end may become entangled with a stent disposed within the patient's vessel.

If, for example, a stent has been deployed, the distal end of the retrieval sheath may inadvertently engage a stent strut, preventing further advancement of the retrieval sheath within the vessel, or even possibly causing vessel dissection.

One disadvantage associated with attempting to retrieve a vascular filter using the guidewire lumen of an interventional device, such as an angioplasty catheter, is that the diameters of such lumens are typically quite small, e.g., 0.014 inch.

Accordingly, it is not possible to retrieve previously known vascular filters using the guidewire lumens of most interventional devices.

Images