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 sequentially 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, while also circumventing the removal requirement of metal retrievable IVC filters.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to a vascular filter and more particularly to an absorbable vascular filter deployed 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) for the prevention of pulmonary embolisms for a specific duration of time determined by the absorption properties of the filter.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Between 100,000 to 300,000 Americans die annually from pulmonary embolism (PE)—more than breast cancer and AIDS combined—representing the 3rd leading cause of death in the US [1-5]. A similar incidence of PE is found in Europe with approximately 370,000 annual deaths [6]. Moreover, PE is the 3rd most common cause of death in trauma patients that survive the first 24 hours. An estimated 25% of all hospitalized patients have some form of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which is often clinically unapparent unless PE de...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Also due to the relative short indwell time (months) of the absorbable vascular filter, the paradoxical increase in DVT seen with conventional long-term IVC filters is likely circumvented.

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