Hemofiltration device for use with a coagulation therapy system - Patent Application 20070123333

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a clot treatment system having a filtering syringe, and associated devices and methods. The filtering syringe can be coupled to a catheter subsystem insertable into a patient. The filtering syringe can aspirate material (e.g., clot material, blood, etc.) from the patient through the catheter subsystem. The filtering syringe can include a plunger assembly, which can include one or more filters. Each of the filters can be configured to (i) allow at least a first portion of the aspirated material (e.g., blood) to pass through at least one of the filters, and (ii) prevent at least a second portion of the aspirated material (e.g., clot material) from passing through at least one of the filters.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 326,196, entitled "BLOOD-FILTERING DEVICES FOR USE WITH CLOT TREATMENT SYSTEMS," filed March 31, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present technology relates generally to hemofiltration devices for use with clot treatment systems and related methods. [Background technology]

[0003] Thromboembolism is characterized by the blockage of blood vessels. Thromboembolic disorders such as stroke, pulmonary embolism, heart attack, peripheral thrombosis, and atherosclerosis affect many people. These diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality.

[0004] When an artery is occluded by a clot, tissue ischemia develops. Ischemia progresses to tissue infarction if the occlusion persists. However, if blood flow is rapidly restored, infarction does not develop or is greatly limited. Thus, failure to reestablish blood flow can lead to loss of limb, angina, myocardial infarction, stroke, and even death.

[0005] In the venous circulation, obstructive material can also cause serious harm. Blood clots can develop in the large veins of the legs and pelvis, a common condition known as deep venous thrombosis (DVT). DVT typically occurs when there is a tendency for blood to stagnate (e.g., long-distance air travel, immobility, etc.) and clots (e.g., cancer, recent surgery such as orthopedic surgery, etc.). DVT can prevent venous blood drainage from the legs, leading to swelling, ulcers, pain, and infection. DVT can also create a reservoir where blood clots can collect and then migrate to other parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, brain (which can cause a stroke), abdominal organs, and / or extremities.

[0006] A variety of devices exist for performing thrombectomy or removing clot material to re-establish blood flow in a patient. Such devices can remove targeted clot material and often additionally remove one or more fluids (e.g., blood) along with the clot material. These devices are often designed to make it difficult to return the removed fluid (e.g., blood) to the patient, even when it might be advantageous to do so. For example, some existing devices include bypass circuits that can be cumbersome to set up and may require the presence of a specially trained user (e.g., a perfusionist) to operate correctly. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present technology is generally directed to a clot treatment system having a filter, as well as related devices and methods. In some of the embodiments described in detail below, the filter may be part of a filtering syringe. The filtering syringe may be coupled to a catheter subsystem insertable into a patient such that the filtering syringe can remove (e.g., aspirate) material (e.g., clot material, blood) from the patient through the catheter subsystem. The filtering syringe may include a plunger assembly, which may include one or more filters. The filters may be configured to (i) allow at least a first portion of the material removed from the patient to pass through at least one of the filters, and (ii) prevent at least a second portion of the material removed from the patient from passing through at least one of the filters. In some embodiments, for example, the one or more filters are configured to (i) allow blood to pass through at least one of the filters, and (ii) prevent clot material from passing through at least one of the filters, such that the at least one filter can "filter" the blood from the material removed from the patient.

[0008] In some embodiments, the clot treatment system further includes a filter material subsystem. The filter material subsystem can include one or more valves and / or tubing sections that can fluidly couple the filtering syringe and the patient. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, the filter material subsystem includes a fluid driving element that is fluidly coupled to the filtering syringe and is operable to draw fluid through one or more of the filters, e.g., to filter blood from clot material in the filtering syringe, and / or otherwise drive the flow of blood through at least a portion of the filtering material subsystem. In operation, the filter material subsystem can be configured to (i) capture / receive all or a portion of the blood in the filtering syringe, and / or (ii) return / reintroduce all or a portion of the blood in the filtering syringe to the patient.

[0009] In some aspects of the present technology, the filtering syringe can be used to perform multiple material removal (e.g., aspiration) cycles while remaining coupled to the filtering substance subsystem and / or catheter subsystem, such that at least a portion of the aspirated material (e.g., blood) removed from the patient during one or more of the material removal cycles can be filtered and / or reintroduced to the patient without disconnecting the filtering syringe from the filtering substance subsystem and / or catheter subsystem and / or while maintaining a generally consistent (e.g., optimal) vacuum force / pressure and / or volumetric flow rate throughout one or more material removal cycles. In some embodiments, the filtering syringe can be used to perform multiple material removal cycles while remaining fluidly coupled to the catheter system via a single fluid control device. In some aspects, having multiple fluid control devices (e.g., check valves, Y-connectors, etc.) between the catheter system and the pressure source can reduce the pressure / suction force applied to the catheter system by the pressure source. In some embodiments, the filtering syringe remains fluidly coupled to the catheter and can be used to perform one or more material removal cycles while returning at least a portion of the filtered blood to the patient without the use of any fluid control device to control / direct the flow of fluid between the filtering syringe and the patient. Additionally or alternatively, at least some of the filtering substance subsystems are expected to be safer and / or reduce the likelihood that clot material removed from the patient will be accidentally / inadvertently reintroduced back into the patient. For example, at least some of the filtering substance subsystems can define one or more flow paths configured to direct the flow of aspirated material to inhibit or prevent the filtering substance (e.g., blood) from being reintroduced into the filtering syringe and / or the clot material in the filtering syringe from being returned back into the patient P. In these and other embodiments, at least some of the filtering syringes and / or filtering substance subsystems can be configured to allow a user to more easily perform one or more tests or other analyses on at least a portion of the filtering substance prior to or instead of returning the filtering substance to the patient. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] Many aspects of the present technology can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial schematic side view of a clot treatment or clot removal system including an aspiration assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 2A] 1 is a perspective view of a pressure source including a vacuum pressure lock syringe configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; FIG. [Figure 2B] 2B is a perspective view of a plunger assembly of the vacuum pressure lock syringe of FIG. 2A in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the plunger assembly of FIG. 2A in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 3] 2B illustrates various embodiments of a filtration material subsystem coupled to the syringe of FIG. 2A and configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 4] 2B illustrates various embodiments of a filtration material subsystem coupled to the syringe of FIG. 2A and configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. [Diagram 5] 2B illustrates various embodiments of a filtration material subsystem coupled to the syringe of FIG. 2A and configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 6] 2B illustrates various embodiments of a filtration material subsystem coupled to the syringe of FIG. 2A and configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 7A] 2B illustrates various embodiments of a filtration material subsystem coupled to the syringe of FIG. 2A and configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 7B] 2B illustrates various embodiments of a filtration material subsystem coupled to the syringe of FIG. 2A and configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 8A]1 is a perspective view of another plunger assembly configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; [Figure 8B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter assembly constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; [Figure 9A] 1 is a perspective view of another filtering syringe constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; FIG. [Figure 9B] 1 is a perspective view of another filtering syringe constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view of another filtering syringe constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; FIG. [Figure 11A] 1 is a perspective view of another filtering syringe constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; FIG. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is an enlarged perspective view of a distal portion of the filtering syringe of FIG. 11A, with other portions of the filtering syringe omitted for clarity of illustration. [Figure 11C] FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a filter assembly of the filtering syringe of FIG. 11A as configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 11D] 11D is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the filtration syringe of FIG. 11A taken along section line 11D-11D of FIG. 11B. [Figure 12A] 1 is a perspective view of a filter assembly of another filtered syringe constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology; FIG. [Figure 12B] 12B is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of FIG. 12A taken along section line 12B-12B of FIG. 11B in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present technology, certain details are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-12B. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, operations, and / or systems often associated with endovascular procedures, blood filtration, clot removal procedures, catheters, and the like, are not shown or described in detail in the following disclosure to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of various embodiments of the present technology. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present technology may be practiced without one or more of the details described herein and / or with other structures, methods, components, and the like. Additionally, although many of the devices and systems are described herein in the context of removing and / or treating aspirated and / or clotted material, the present technology may be used to remove and / or treat other undesirable material in addition to or in the alternative to clotted material, such as thrombus, embolus, plaque, intimal hyperplasia, post-thrombotic scar tissue, and the like. Thus, the terms "clot," "clotted material," and "aspirated material" as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing materials and / or the like.

[0013] The terms used below should be interpreted in their broadest reasonable manner, even when used in conjunction with the detailed description of specific examples of embodiments of the present technology. In fact, certain terms may even be emphasized below. However, any terms intended to be interpreted in any limited manner are expressly and specifically defined as such in this detailed description section.

[0014] The accompanying figures depict embodiments of the present technology and are not intended to limit its scope unless expressly indicated. The sizes of the various depicted elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and these various elements may be enlarged to improve legibility. Details of components may be abstracted in the figures to exclude details such as the location of components and specific precise connections between such components when such details are not necessary for a complete understanding of how to create and use the present technology. Many of the details, dimensions, angles, and other features shown in the figures are merely illustrative of certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, angles, and features without departing from the present technology. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that further embodiments of the present technology can be practiced without some of the details described below.

[0015] With respect to the terms "distal" and "proximal" within this description, unless otherwise specified, these terms may refer to the relative location of portions of the catheter subsystem with respect to an operator and / or a location within the vasculature. Also, as used herein, designations such as "rear," "forward," "upper," "lower," etc. are not meant to limit the referenced components to a particular orientation. It will be understood that such designations refer to the orientation of the referenced components as illustrated in the figures. The systems of the present technology may be used in any orientation suitable to the user.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a partial schematic side view of a clot treatment or clot removal system including an aspiration assembly 10 ("assembly 10") configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In the illustrated embodiment, assembly 10 includes a catheter subsystem 100, a tubing subsystem 120, a pressure source 130, and a filtration material subsystem 170. Catheter subsystem 100 includes a catheter 102 (e.g., an aspiration catheter) including an elongate shaft defining a lumen 104 and having a distal portion 103a and a proximal portion 103b. Catheter 102 can be advanced intravascularly to a treatment site within a blood vessel of patient P, for example, such that distal portion 103a is positioned within and / or adjacent to clot material within the blood vessel. Catheter subsystem 100 further includes a valve 106, which can be integral with or coupled to proximal portion 103b of catheter 102.

[0017] In general, the clot removal system may (i) include features generally similar or identical to those described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 536,185, entitled "SYSTEM FOR TREATING EMBOLISM AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES AND METHODS," filed on August 8, 2019, and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, and / or (ii) be used to treat / remove clot material from a patient (e.g., a human patient) using any of the methods described in detail therein. In some embodiments, the catheter subsystem 100 may include certain features that are at least generally similar in structure and function, or identical in structure and function, to those of the catheters disclosed in (i) U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 17 / 529,018, filed November 17, 2021, entitled "CATHETERS HAVING SHAPED DISTAL PORTIONS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS," and / or (ii) U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 17 / 529,064, filed November 17, 2021, entitled "CATHETERS HAVING STEERABLE DISTAL PORTIONS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS," each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 106 includes a distal portion 107a, a proximal portion 107b, and a lumen 109 extending therethrough from the distal portion 107a to the proximal portion 107b. In some embodiments, the valve 106 is a hemostatic valve configured to maintain hemostasis during a clot removal procedure by preventing proximal fluid flow through the valve 106 as various components, such as delivery sheaths, tensioning members, guidewires, interventional devices, other aspiration catheters, etc., are inserted through the valve 106 and delivered through the catheter 102 to a treatment site in a blood vessel. The valve 106 further includes one or more branch or side ports 108 configured to fluidly couple the lumen 104 of the catheter 102 to the tubing subsystem 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 106 includes a button 101 that can be actuated (e.g., depressed) to open a conduit within the lumen 109. In some embodiments, valve 106 can be a valve of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 117,519, entitled "HEMOSTASIS VALVES AND METHODS OF USE," filed Aug. 30, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In some embodiments, proximal portion 107b of valve 106 is further configured to be removably coupled (e.g., via a snap-fit ​​arrangement) to a filtration device, such as one or more of the filtration syringes described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C.

[0019] The tubing subsystem 120 fluidly couples the catheter subsystem 100 to a pressure source 130. More specifically, the tubing subsystem 120 may include one or more tubing sections 124 (denoted as a first tubing section 124a and a second tubing section 124b), at least one fluid control device 126 (e.g., a valve), and at least one connector 128 for fluidly coupling the tubing subsystem 120 to the pressure source 130 and / or other suitable components. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the fluid control device 126 is a stopcock that is fluidly coupled (i) to the side port 108 of the valve 106 via the first tubing section 124a, and (ii) to the connector 128 via the second tubing section 124b. In at least some embodiments, the fluid control device 126 is a three-way stopcock and includes a free port or inlet configured to allow a user to fluidly couple additional devices to the catheter subsystem 100, while the pressure source 130 is also fluidly coupled to the catheter subsystem 100, for example, for reintroducing filtered blood to the patient, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 3. The fluid control device 126 is externally operable by a user to regulate the flow of fluid therethrough, specifically from the lumen 104 of the catheter 102 to the pressure source 130. In other embodiments, the fluid control device 126 may be a clamp that can be actuated (e.g., compressed or squeezed by a user's hand) to partially or completely restrict the flow of fluid through the first tubing section 124a and / or the second tubing section 124b. In still other embodiments, the fluid control device 126 may be omitted, and its functionality incorporated into the pressure source 130.

[0020] The pressure source 130 is configured to generate (e.g., create, generate, fill, build up) and store a vacuum (e.g., a negative relative pressure) for subsequent application to the catheter subsystem 100. Further details of suitable pressure sources are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C and 9A-12B. In some embodiments, the pressure source 130 aspirates fluid (e.g., blood), clot material, and / or other substances from the patient P during the clot removal process. In the illustrated embodiment, the pressure source 130 is fluidly coupled to the filtration material subsystem 170. The filtration material subsystem 170 can receive the aspirated fluid, clot material, and / or other substances from the pressure source 130 and filter the fluid from the other substances. In some embodiments, the filtration material subsystem 170 can be fluidly coupled to the patient P and configured to reintroduce the aspirated fluid (e.g., blood) into the patient. Additional details regarding suitable filtration material subsystems are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3-7B. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, the filtration material subsystem 170 can be omitted and the pressure source 130 can be used to transport the aspirated fluid (e.g., blood) to the patient (e.g., intravenously, via the fluid control device 126, via one of the side ports 108, and the like), or to any other suitable location.

[0021] During operation of the assembly 10, a user may initially close the fluid control 126 before activating the pressure source 130 to build up a vacuum pressure in the pressure source 130 (e.g., a vacuum chamber of the pressure source 130). In some embodiments, a user may control or select the volume of the vacuum generated. In this manner, a vacuum is built up in the pressure source 130 before the pressure source 130 is fluidly connected to the catheter subsystem 100. A user may open the fluid control 126 to fluidly connect the pressure source 130 to the catheter subsystem 100, thereby applying or releasing a vacuum stored in the pressure source 130 to the lumen 104 of the catheter 102 in order to aspirate the lumen 104 of the catheter 102. When the fluid control 126 is opened, it immediately or nearly immediately applies the stored vacuum pressure to the tubing subsystem 120 and the catheter 102, thereby generating suction throughout the catheter 102. Specifically, suction is applied at the distal portion 103a of the catheter 102. In one aspect of the present technology, pre-charging or storing vacuum prior to application to the lumen 104 of the catheter 102 is expected to generate a greater suction force (and corresponding fluid flow rate) at and / or near the distal portion 103a of the catheter 102 as compared to simply activating the pressure source 130 while the pressure source is fluidly connected to the catheter 102. The suction force generated by application of the stored vacuum can be used to aspirate or remove aspirated material from within the vasculature of a human patient. The aspirated material can be received by the pressure source 130 and at least a portion of the aspirated material can be filtered, transferred to the filtration material subsystem 170, and / or returned / reintroduced to the patient P or another suitable outlet location.

[0022] 2A is a perspective view of a pressure source 230 comprising a vacuum pressure lock syringe and / or filtered syringe ("filtered syringe 230") configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In some embodiments, filtered syringe 230 can include several features generally similar or identical to those of any one of the syringes described in detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 396,426, filed August 6, 2021, and entitled "AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING VACUUM SYRINGES, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, filtered syringe 230 includes a barrel assembly 240 and a filtered plunger assembly 250 ("plunger assembly 250"). Barrel assembly 240 includes a chamber or barrel 242, a tip 244 extending distally from barrel 242, and a lumen or bore 246 extending through tip 244 and barrel 242. In some embodiments, barrel assembly 240 includes a locking component 248. Barrel 242 is shown as transparent in FIG. 2A for clarity.

[0024] The plunger assembly 250 may include a body or plunger 252 having a first (e.g., distal) end portion 253a defining a distal end terminus of the plunger 252 and a second (e.g., proximal) end portion 253b opposite the first end portion 253a and defining a proximal end terminus of the plunger 252. The plunger assembly 250 may further include a seal 254, a port or valve 258 (such as a luer-actuated valve or any other suitable valve), and a lumen 256 (partially obscured in FIG. 2A ) extending at least partially or completely through the plunger 252 between the first end portion 253a and the second end portion 253b. Additionally, the plunger assembly 250 may include a handle 251 to improve handling of the plunger assembly 250 by a user. In the illustrated embodiment, seal 254 is positioned proximate first end portion 253a and valve 258 and handle 251 are positioned proximate second end portion 253b. Lumen 256 may be fluidly coupled to valve 258, which may be fluidly coupled to filtration media subsystem 170 and / or patient P (FIG. 1), such that fluid within lumen 256 may flow through valve 258 to and / or toward filtration media subsystem 170 and / or patient P.

[0025] The plunger assembly 250 further includes a filter assembly 260. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter assembly 260 is positioned at the first end portion 253a of the plunger 252 and at a distal end portion of the lumen 256. In other embodiments, the filter assembly 260 can be positioned adjacent the second end portion 253b, proximally from the lumen 256, and / or at any other suitable location relative to the lumen 256 and / or within the filtered syringe 230. The filter assembly 260 can include one or more filters 262 (which may also be referred to as a "filtering element," "filtering stage," etc.). As described in more detail below, fluid (e.g., blood) can be drawn through the filter 262 into the lumen 256 and out the valve 258.

[0026] At least a portion of the plunger assembly 250 is advanceable distally and proximally through the barrel 242. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal 254 sealingly engages an inner surface of the barrel 242 to form a substantially fluid impermeable seal therewith. With reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2A together, the tip 244 can be configured to removably couple the filtered syringe 230 to the tubing subsystem 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the tip 244 is a luer connector that can be coupled to the connector 128 and / or the proximal portion 107b of the valve 106 via one or more suitable adapters. In some embodiments, the barrel 242 can be made from a transparent material that allows a user to visualize material (e.g., aspirated material) within the barrel 242.

[0027] 1 and 2A together, during operation of the assembly 10, a user can first close the fluid control device 126 and then grasp the plunger assembly 250 and / or barrel assembly 240 and at least partially withdraw (e.g., retract) the plunger 252 from the barrel 242, thereby generating a vacuum within the barrel 242. In some embodiments, once the user withdraws the plunger 252 to a predetermined volume, the locking component 248 can automatically engage the plunger 252 to lock the plunger 252 relative to the barrel 242. In other embodiments, the plunger 252 can be locked by rotating the plunger 252 relative to the barrel 242 to engage the locking component 248. In some such embodiments, a user can control the volume of the vacuum once the fluid control device 126 is opened—by withdrawing the plunger 252 more or less—to provide a desired amount or level of suction / aspiration. In other embodiments, the filtering syringe 230 may not be a locking syringe, and instead the user may hold the plunger 252 in place relative to the barrel 242. In some embodiments, the syringe has a volume of about 60 cc or less. Once the plunger 252 is withdrawn, the user may open the fluid control device 126 to aspirate material (e.g., clot material, bodily fluids, etc.) through the lumen 104 and into the barrel 242. The filters 262 of the filter assembly 260 may be selected to allow select material and / or fluids aspirated from the patient (e.g., one or more vascular fluids, blood, plasma, water, hemoglobin, white blood cells, etc.) to pass through. For example, one or more of the filters 262 may (i) allow a first portion of the aspirated material (e.g., blood, plasma, etc.) to pass through the filter assembly 260 and (ii) prevent at least a second portion of the aspirated material (e.g., clot material, thrombus, emboli, etc.) from passing through the filter assembly 260.Thus, when pressure is applied to lumen 256, filter assembly 260 can “filter” or otherwise separate a first portion of the aspirated material (e.g., blood) from a second portion of the aspirated material (e.g., clot material).

[0028] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the plunger assembly 250 of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C is an exploded perspective view of the plunger assembly 250 of FIG. 2A. Referring together to FIGS. 2B and 2C, in the illustrated embodiment, the filter assembly 260 includes a first filter 262a and a second filter 262b. Each of the filters 262a-b may be formed from polyester, polyamide, a hemocompatible material, combinations thereof, and / or any other suitable material. The first and second filters 262a-b may provide multiple filtration stages, for example, to extend the life of the filter assembly 260 and / or provide increased filtration surface area. The first and second filters 262a-b may have the same, generally similar, or different sizes, thicknesses, porosities, etc. In at least some embodiments, for example, the first filter 262a has a relatively large / coarse porosity of about 200 microns and the second filter 262b has a relatively small / fine porosity of about 40 microns. In such embodiments, the first filter 262a can be configured to be relatively resilient to negative pressure, large aspirated clots, and / or irrigation, and the second filter 262b can be configured to filter blood, microemboli, and the like. In other embodiments, the first filter 262a and / or the second filter 262b can have any other suitable porosity, such as less than 40 microns, more than 200 microns, and / or any porosity therebetween. In these and other embodiments, the first and second filters 262a-b can have any other suitable configuration.

[0029] In some embodiments, one or more of the filters 262 can be removably coupled to the plunger assembly 250 (e.g., to form the filter assembly 260), such that one or more of the filters 262 can be removed from the plunger assembly 250, such as for cleaning, reuse, and / or disposal. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the filters 262 can be coupled to, integrally formed with, or otherwise form an integral assembly with the plunger 252, such that the plunger 252 can be removed from the barrel 242 after use for cleaning, reuse, and / or disposal of the plunger 252 and / or filters. Although the first and second filters 262a-b have a circular shape in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C, in other embodiments, one or both of the filters 262a-b can have a disk, pleats, cone, cylinder, or any other suitable shape. 2C, the first and second filters 262a-b are positioned adjacent to one another, although in other embodiments, the first and second filters 262a-b can be spaced apart from one another. In at least some embodiments, for example, the first filter 262a can be positioned adjacent to a distal end portion 253a of the plunger assembly 250 and the second filter 262b can be positioned adjacent to a proximal end portion 253b of the plunger assembly 250 opposite the first filter 262a. While the filter assembly 260 includes two filters in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C, in other embodiments, the filter assembly 260 can include more or fewer filters 262, such as one, three or more, or any other suitable number of filters 262.

[0030] 2C, lumen 256 has a first (e.g., distal) aperture or opening 257a and a second (e.g., proximal) aperture or opening 257b opposite first opening 257a. In the illustrated embodiment, first opening 257a is positioned to receive fluid from barrel 242 (FIG. 2A) through filter assembly 260, and second opening 257b is fluidly coupled to valve 258. In some aspects of the present technology, lumen 256 is expected to be substantially less likely to become clogged during use because it receives fluid filtered by filter assembly 260.

[0031] 3-7B illustrate embodiments of filtration material subsystems 370-770, respectively, configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. Each of the various filtration material subsystems 370-770 can include several features that are generally similar or identical in structure and function to each other and / or to corresponding features of the filtration material subsystem 170 described in detail above with reference to FIG. 1, and can operate in a manner generally similar or identical to each other and / or to the filtration material subsystem 170. Moreover, one or more of the different features of the filtration material subsystems 370-770 of the present technology can be combined or omitted.

[0032] 3 is a perspective view of the filtration syringe 230 of FIG. 2A coupled to the assembly 10 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In the illustrated embodiment, the tip 244 of the barrel assembly 240 is fluidly coupled to the connector 128 and the valve 258 of the plunger assembly 250 is fluidly coupled to a filtration material subsystem 370 that is generally similar in structure and / or function to the filtration material subsystem 170 of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the filtration material subsystem 370 comprises a syringe ("syringe 370"). In other embodiments, the filtration material subsystem 370 can include a blood bag, a container, and / or any other suitable fluid reservoir.

[0033] 1 and 2A, during a procedure involving the assembly 10, such as a clot treatment and / or clot removal procedure, a user can open the fluid control device 126 after withdrawing the plunger 252 to apply a vacuum in the barrel 242 and aspirate an aspirated substance AM into the barrel 242. The aspirated substance AM can include a first (e.g., filterable) portion FM ("first substance FM," "filterable substance FM," etc.) and a second (e.g., unfilterable) portion UFM ("second substance UFM," "unfilterable substance UFM," etc.). For example, the first substance FM can include blood and the second substance UFM can include a clot substance.

[0034] After aspirating the aspirated substance AM, the user can close the fluid control device 126 to prevent the aspirated substance AM from flowing back through the fluid control device 126 into the assembly 10 and / or otherwise toward the patient P (FIG. 1). Once the aspirated substance AM is in the barrel 242, the user can filter the aspirated substance AM using the filter assembly 260 to separate all or a portion of the first substance FM from the second substance UFM. More specifically, the user can apply force / pressure with the syringe 370 to the valve 258 to draw the aspirated substance AM against the filter assembly 260 and cause at least a portion of the first substance FM to flow through the filter assembly 260 toward the syringe 370. To apply force / pressure to valve 258, a user can (i) move syringe 370 in a first (e.g., distal) direction D1 toward plunger assembly 250 to depress plunger 252 through barrel 242 to drive aspirated substance AM against filter assembly 260 and through lumen 256 into syringe 370, and / or (ii) actuate syringe 370 (e.g., by withdrawing its plunger in a second direction D2) to draw first substance FM through filter assembly 260 without depressing plunger 252.

[0035] Once all or a portion of the first substance FM is in the syringe 370, the user can (i) disconnect the syringe 370 from the valve 258 and / or (ii) return at least a portion of the first substance FM (e.g., blood) to the patient. For example, the user can connect the syringe 370 to the fluid control device 126 (e.g., a free port or inlet described above with reference to FIG. 1) and actuate the syringe 370 to inject all or a portion of the first substance FM in the syringe 370 into the catheter 102 (FIG. 1) and the patient. As another example, the user can use the syringe 370 to inject all or a portion of the first filtering substance FM into the patient's vein via one or more side ports 108 (FIG. 1) and / or using any other suitable method or technique. Additionally or alternatively, the user can (i) disconnect the filtered syringe 230 from the assembly 10, (ii) remove all or a portion of the remaining aspirated substance AM and / or second substance UFM from the barrel 242, and / or (iii) perform one or more subsequent aspirations using the filtered syringe 230 to remove additional substances from the patient. In some embodiments, for example, the user can flush all or a portion of the aspirated substance AM from the filtered syringe 230 through the valve 258, e.g., by fluidly coupling the valve 258 to a fluid source and flowing fluid at least partially through the filtered syringe 230, toward and / or from the tip 244. In other embodiments, a user can place tip 244 of filtered syringe 230 into a bowl containing saline or any other suitable cleaning / flushing solution, withdraw plunger 252, draw at least a portion of the saline into barrel 242 (e.g., mixing with any aspirate substance AM contained therein), and then depress plunger 252 to expel all or a portion of the aspirate substance AM and / or saline from barrel 242. In these and other embodiments, a user can degas filtered syringe 230 prior to aspirating a substance from a patient.For example, a user can use syringe 370 to (i) inject liquid (e.g., saline) into filtered syringe 230 and / or (ii) withdraw fluid (e.g., air, liquid, etc.) from within the filtered syringe, e.g., via valve 258 on filtered syringe 230. Additionally or alternatively, a user can degas syringe 370 by, e.g., actuating the plunger of syringe 370 to remove air bubbles from the barrel of the syringe prior to reintroducing the first filtered substance FM to the patient.

[0036] 4 is an enlarged side view of the filtered syringe 230 of FIG. 2A coupled to a filtration material subsystem 470 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In the illustrated embodiment, the filtration material subsystem 470 includes a fluid control device 472 and a tubing section 474. The tubing section 474 can fluidly couple the filtered syringe 230 to a patient P or another suitable output location via the fluid control device 472. The fluid control device 472 can include a one-way valve, a check valve, or any other suitable fluid control device. A first (e.g., distal) end of the fluid control device 472 is fluidly coupled to the valve 258 of the filtered syringe 230, and a second (e.g., proximal) end of the fluid control device 472 is fluidly coupled to the tubing section 474. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid control device 472 is configured to allow fluid (e.g., a first substance FM, FIG. 3) to flow in a second direction D2 (e.g., through the fluid control device 472 to and / or toward the patient P) and to substantially or completely prevent fluid from flowing in a first direction D1 (e.g., from the patient P toward the filtering syringe 230, opposite the second direction D2).

[0037] In operation, a user can couple the filtering syringe 230 to the assembly 10 (e.g., via the connector 128, FIG. 1) and actuate the assembly 10 to aspirate the aspirated substance AM from the patient P, as described previously herein. The user can then close the fluid control device 126 (FIG. 1) and move the plunger 252 in a first direction D1 to filter the aspirated substance AM. Specifically, as the plunger 252 moves in the first direction D1, the first substance FM is driven in a second direction D2 through the filter assembly 260, the lumen 256, and the valve 258, and into the filtering substance subsystem 470. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first substance FM can be returned / reintroduced to the patient P via the tubing 474.

[0038] In some aspects of the present technology, the filtering syringe 230 can remain coupled to the filtering material subsystem 470 for one or more aspiration cycles, for example, unless or until the filtering syringe 230 is filled with the second material UFM (FIG. 3) and / or unless or until a user determines that the filtering syringe 230 should be cleaned / flushed. Thus, in at least some aspects of the present technology, it is anticipated that the filtering syringe 230 and the filtering material subsystem 470 form a generally or substantially closed loop system operable to remove the aspirated material from the patient and return at least a portion of the aspirated material (e.g., the first material FM) to the patient P.

[0039] 5 is a side view of the filtered syringe 230 of FIG. 2A coupled to a filtration material subsystem 570 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In the illustrated embodiment, the filtration material subsystem 570 includes two fluid control devices 572a-b (i.e., a first fluid control device 572a and a second fluid control device 572b), two tubing sections 574a-b (i.e., a first tubing section 574a and a second tubing section 574b), and a fluid drive component 576. Each of the fluid control devices 572a-b may be generally similar or identical in structure and / or function to the fluid control device 472 of FIG. 4. The fluid drive component 576 may include a syringe (e.g., a "drive syringe 576"), which may be generally similar or identical in structure and / or function to the syringe 370 of FIG. 3. A first fluid control device 572a can be coupled to the valve 258 of the filtered syringe 230, a first tubing section 574a can be (i) positioned between the first and second fluid control devices 572a and 572b and (ii) fluidly coupled to a drive syringe 576, and a second tubing section 574b can be fluidly coupled to the second fluid control device 572b on the opposite side of the first tubing section 574a. In the illustrated embodiment, the first tubing section 574a is a "T-shaped" tubing section, and the drive syringe 576 has a plunger 578 that can be pulled / pushed down to drive fluid in and out of the drive syringe 576.

[0040] The first and second fluid control devices 572a-b are each one-way valves positioned to allow fluid (e.g., first substance FM, FIG. 3) to flow in a second direction D2 (e.g., from the filtering syringe 230 toward the patient P) and to substantially or completely prevent fluid from flowing in a direction opposite the second direction D2 (e.g., from the patient P toward the filtering syringe 230). The first and second fluid control devices 572a-b can thus define one or more flow paths FP (i.e., a first flow path FP1 and a second flow path FP2) through the filtering substance subsystem 570. The drive syringe 576 is configured to control the flow of fluid through the filtering substance subsystem 570, e.g., through the first and second flow paths FP1, FP2. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a user can pull the plunger 578 to drive fluid from the filtering syringe 230 along the first flow path FP1, through the first fluid control device 572a, and into the drive syringe 576. When the user withdraws the plunger 578, the second fluid control device 572b can substantially or completely prevent the drive syringe 576 from drawing fluid from the patient P (e.g., due to the force / pressure applied to the second fluid control device 572b when the plunger 578 is withdrawn in a direction opposite the second direction D2).

[0041] After the user withdraws the plunger 578, the user can depress the plunger 578 to drive fluid from the drive syringe 576 along the second flow path FP2, through the second fluid control device 572b, and into the second tubing section 574b toward the patient P. When the user depresses the plunger 578, the first fluid control device 572a can substantially or completely prevent the drive syringe 576 from driving a flow of fluid into the filtering syringe 230 (e.g., because the force / pressure applied to the first fluid control device 572a when the user depresses the plunger 578 is in a direction opposite to the second direction D2). In some aspects of the present technology, this can inhibit or prevent the filtered substance (e.g., the first substance FM) from being reintroduced into the filtering syringe 230 and / or the aspirated substance AM in the filtering syringe 230 from being drawn back into the patient P (e.g., through the catheter 102, FIG. 1).

[0042] In some aspects of the present technology, a user can operate the drive syringe 576 to degas the filtration substance subsystem 570 and / or the filtering syringe 230. Degassing the filtering syringe 230 can be generally similar to the filtration process described above, except that the drive syringe 576 draws air and / or other fluids from the filtering syringe 230 instead of the first substance FM. In further aspects of the present technology, after the user withdraws the plunger 578 but before or instead of depressing the plunger 578, the user may (i) disconnect the drive syringe 576 from the first tubing section 574a, (ii) perform one or more tests on the substance in the drive syringe 576, (iii) transfer all or a portion of the substance in the drive syringe 576 to another site and / or patient, (iv) take one or more images of the substance in the drive syringe 576, and / or flush the filtering syringe 230 and / or the drive syringe 576.

[0043] 6 is a side view of the filtration syringe 230 of FIG. 2A coupled to a filtration material subsystem 670, according to an embodiment of the present technology. The filtration material subsystem 670 may include aspects generally similar in structure and / or function to the filtration material subsystem 570 of FIG. 5, with like reference numbers (e.g., first tubing section 674a versus first tubing section 574a of FIG. 5) indicating like elements. Additionally, the filtration material subsystem 670 includes a second lock syringe 630 ("second syringe 630"), which may be generally similar in structure and / or function to the filtration syringe 230 of FIG. 2A ("first filtration syringe 230"). In some embodiments, the second syringe 630 may not include a filtration assembly or filter.

[0044] In operation, plunger 652 of second syringe 630 can be withdrawn and then locked to generate and store a vacuum within second syringe 630. As material is aspirated into filtering syringe 230, the vacuum pressure within second syringe 630 can automatically draw a portion of the aspirated material along first flow path FP1 toward and through filter assembly 260 such that a portion of the filtered blood can be drawn into second syringe 630. To completely filter material from filtering syringe 230 into filtering material subsystem 670, locking component 248 can be unlocked to allow plunger 252 to move in first direction D1 to equalize pressure between filtering syringe 230 and second syringe 630. After the filtered substance FM has been drawn into the second syringe 630, the second plunger 652 can be unlocked (e.g., via locking component 648) and pressed down to drive fluid from the second syringe 630 along the second flow path FP2 to and / or towards the patient P.

[0045] 7A is a side view of the filtered syringe 230 of FIG. 2A coupled to a filtration material subsystem 770, according to an embodiment of the present technology. The filtration material subsystem 770 may include aspects generally similar in structure and / or function to the filtration material subsystem 570 of FIG. 5, with like reference numbers (e.g., a drive syringe 776 versus the drive syringe 576 of FIG. 5) indicating like elements. Additionally, the filtration material subsystem 770 includes a fluid control device 780. The fluid control device 780 may include a three-way valve, a stopcock, or any other suitable fluid control device. Each of the filtered syringe 230, the drive syringe 776, and the tubing section 774 may be fluidly coupled to the fluid control device 780. The fluid control device 780 may be configured to selectively control the flow of fluid through one or more of the flow paths FP1, FP2 in the filtration material subsystem 770. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the fluid control device 780 includes an actuation element or lever 782 operable to transition the fluid control device 780 between (i) a first configuration (shown in FIG. 7A ) in which the first flow path FP1 is open (e.g., the fluid control device 780 allows fluid to flow from the filtered syringe 230 toward and / or into the drive syringe 776) and the second flow path FP2 is closed (e.g., the fluid control device 780 partially or completely prevents fluid from entering the tubing section 774), and (ii) a second configuration (not shown) in which the first flow path FP1 is closed (e.g., the fluid control device 780 partially or completely prevents fluid from entering the filtered syringe 230) and the second flow path FP2 is open (e.g., the fluid control device 780 allows fluid to flow from the drive syringe 776 toward and / or into the tubing section 774).

[0046] In operation, a user can transition the fluid control device 780 to a first configuration and withdraw the plunger 778 to drive fluid along the first flow path FP1, e.g., from the filtering syringe 230, through the fluid control device 780, and into the drive syringe 776. When the tubing section 774 is fluidly coupled to the patient P (e.g., because the second flow path FP2 is closed when the fluid control device 780 is in the first configuration), when the user withdraws the plunger 778, the fluid control device 780 can substantially or completely prevent the drive syringe 776 from drawing fluid from the patient P. After the user withdraws the plunger 778, the user can transition the fluid control device 780 from the first configuration toward and / or to the second configuration and depress the plunger 778 to drive fluid along the second flow path FP2 from the drive syringe 776, through the fluid control device 780, and into the tubing section 774 toward the patient P. When the user depresses the plunger 778, because the first flow path FP1 is closed when the stopcock is in the second configuration, the fluid control device 780 can substantially or completely prevent the drive syringe 776 from driving fluid into the filtered syringe 230. In some embodiments, after depressing the plunger 778, the user can perform one or more additional aspiration cycles with the filtration substance subsystem 770 without disconnecting the filtered syringe 230 or the drive syringe 776 from the fluid control device 780.

[0047] 7B illustrates the filtered syringe 230 of FIG. 2A coupled to a filtration substance subsystem 770 in accordance with an additional embodiment of the present technology. In FIG. 7B, the drive syringe 776 (FIG. 7A) has been disconnected from the fluid control device 780 such that the fluid control device 780 has a free aperture or port 784. Additionally, the fluid control device 780 has been transitioned to a third configuration in which fluid can flow from the filtered syringe 230 through the fluid control device 780 toward the patient P along a third flow path FP3. Thus, when the fluid control device 780 is in the third configuration, a user can drive fluid through the filtration substance subsystem 770 by moving the plunger 252 in a first direction D1, as described in detail above with reference to FIG. 4. In some aspects of the present technology, a user can degas / flush the filtered syringe 230 and / or tubing section 774 via the free port 784. For example, the user can transition the fluid control device 780 to a first configuration (FIG. 7A) to degas / flush the filtration syringe 230 along a first flow path FP1 (FIG. 7A) and / or transition the fluid control device 780 to a second configuration (not shown) to degas / flush the piping section 774 along a second flow path FP2 (FIG. 7A).

[0048] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of another plunger assembly 850 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The plunger assembly 850 can include at least some aspects that are generally similar or identical in structure and / or function to the plunger assembly 250 of FIGS. 2A-2C, and like reference numbers (e.g., lumen 856 vs. lumen 256 of FIGS. 2A-2C) indicate generally similar or identical aspects. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the plunger assembly 250 further includes a pleated filter assembly 860. Referring to FIG. 8B, in the illustrated embodiment, the pleated filter assembly 860 includes a first filter 862a and a second filter 862b. In other embodiments, the pleated filter assembly 860 can include more or fewer filters. In these and other embodiments, the pleated filter assembly 860 can have a larger filtration surface area compared to a generally flat or planar filter / filter assembly. Thus, in some aspects of the present technology, pleated filter assembly 860 can have an increased filtration surface area compared to filter assembly 260 of FIGS. 2A-2C, while having a generally similar or identical cross-sectional area as filter assembly 260.

[0049] 9A and 9B are perspective views of another filtered syringe 930 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The filtered syringe 930 can include at least some aspects that are generally similar or identical in structure and / or function to the filtered syringe 230 of FIGS. 2A-2C, and like reference numbers (e.g., lumen 946 versus lumen 246 of FIG. 2A) indicate generally similar or identical aspects. In the illustrated embodiment, the filtered syringe 930 includes the plunger assembly 850 of FIG. 8A. In other embodiments, the filtered syringe 930 can include the plunger assembly 250 of FIGS. 2A-2C, or any other suitable plunger assembly. Additionally, the filtered syringe 930 includes a removable cap 943 (which may also be referred to as a "locking cap," a "twist cap," a "removable cap," etc.). The removable cap 943 can be releasably coupled to the barrel 242. 9B, the removable cap 943 can be configured to matingly engage with a mating portion 945 of the barrel 242. In the illustrated embodiment, the mating portion 945 includes one or more mating slots or grooves 947, and the removable cap 943 includes one or more tabs or protrusions 949 (which can extend radially from an inner surface of the cap 943, as shown in FIG. 9B), with each mating slot 947 configured to slidably receive a corresponding tab 949 to couple the removable cap 943 to the barrel 942. In at least some embodiments, the removable cap 943 can include an O-ring or other sealing element (not visible in FIG. 9B) that forms a substantially fluid-tight seal with the barrel 942 when the removable cap 943 is coupled to the barrel 942, e.g., to maintain a vacuum pressure generated / stored within the barrel 942 and / or to inhibit or prevent fluids and / or other aspirated substances within the barrel 942 from leaking out of the barrel 942.

[0050] In operation, a user can rotate the removable cap 943 relative to the barrel 942 (e.g., in the direction indicated by arrow R) to couple and / or uncouple the removable cap 943 from the barrel 942. A user can separate the removable cap 943 from the barrel 942 after performing one or more material removal cycles, for example, to flush or remove any fluid, clot material, or other aspirated material that has collected within the barrel 942. After flushing / removing material that has collected within the barrel 942, a user can recouple the removable cap 943 to the barrel 942 and perform one or more additional material removal cycles using the filtration syringe 930, either alone or in combination with any of the filtration material systems described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3-7B.

[0051] 10 is a perspective view of another filtered syringe 1030 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. Filtered syringe 1030 can include at least some features that are generally similar or identical in structure and / or function to filtered syringe 230 of FIGS. 2A-2C and / or filtered syringe 930 of FIGS. 9A-9B, with like numbers (e.g., barrel 1042 versus barrel 242 of FIG. 2A and / or barrel 942 of FIGS. 9A-9B) indicating generally similar or identical features. Filtered syringe 1030 can include a plunger assembly 1050 having a first (e.g., distal) body portion 1052a and a second (e.g., proximal) body portion 1052b. The first body portion 1052a can include the filter assembly 860 of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the seal or sealing element 1054, the valve 1058 (e.g., a luer actuated valve, a one-way valve, etc.), and / or a locking feature 1059 configured to engage the locking component 1048 of the filtering syringe 1030. In other embodiments, the first body portion 1052a can include the filter assembly 260 of FIGS. 2A-2C, or any other suitable filter and / or filter assembly. The second body portion 1052b can include the handle 1051, the plunger 1052b1, and / or the tip 1055. The tip 1055 can be configured to couple (e.g., fluidly couple) to the valve 1058 such that the second body portion 1052b can be coupled / connected to the first body portion 1052a.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the second body portion 1052b comprises a syringe, such as a 30 cc Luer lock syringe ("syringe 1052b"), or any other suitable syringe, including any of the filtering syringes described herein. In these and other embodiments, the syringe 1052b can have an internal volume that is less than, equal to, or greater than the internal volume of the barrel 1042. The tip 1055 of the syringe 1052b can be coupled to the first body portion 1052a such that movement of the syringe 1052b can cause corresponding movement of the first body portion 1052a. In operation, for example, the plunger assembly 1050 (e.g., syringe 1052b) can be retracted (e.g., proximally by a user) relative to the barrel 1042 to generate and / or store a vacuum within the filtering syringe 1030, as previously described with reference to FIGS. 1-2C. 2A-2C, continued movement of the plunger assembly 1050 can cause the locking component 1048 to engage the locking feature 1059 of the first body portion 1052a, for example, to lock the plunger assembly 1050 relative to the barrel assembly 1040 and store a vacuum within the barrel 1042. Once a vacuum has been generated and / or stored within the filtered syringe 1030, the filtered syringe 1030 can be used to perform one or more material removal cycles, for example, as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-2C and / or in combination with any of the filtration material systems described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3-7B. After the filtering syringe 1030 has been used to perform a material removal cycle, at least a portion of the aspirated material in the barrel 1042 may be filtered by actuating the plunger 1052b1 of the syringe 1052b to draw the material (e.g., blood) through the filter assembly 860 and into the syringe 1052b via the valve 1058. In at least some embodiments, the syringe 1052b may be configured such that all or substantially all of the aspirated blood in the barrel 1042 may be filtered and drawn into the syringe 1052b. Additionally or alternatively, the syringe 1052b may be advanced toward the aspirated material in the barrel 1042 to filter the material in the barrel 1042.In these and other embodiments, because the first body portion 1052a sealingly engages the barrel 1042, withdrawing the plunger 1052b1 proximally can cause corresponding distal movement of the syringe 1052b and the first body portion 1052a within the barrel 1042 as blood is filtered and drawn into the syringe 1052b. Similarly, moving the syringe 1052b distally can cause corresponding proximal movement of the plunger 1052b1. Once at least a portion of the filtered material has been drawn into the syringe 1052b, the syringe 1052b can be disconnected from the first body portion 1052a and the filtered material (e.g., blood) within the syringe 1052b can be returned, for example, to the patient.

[0053] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of another filtered syringe 1130 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. FIG. 11B is an enlarged perspective view of a distal portion 11B of the filtered syringe 1130 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. With joint reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the filtered syringe 1130 can include at least some features that are generally similar or identical in structure and / or function to the filtered syringe 230 of FIGS. 2A-2C, the filtered syringe 930 of FIGS. 9A-9B, and / or the filtered syringe 1030 of FIG. 10, with like numbers (e.g., barrel assembly 1140 versus barrel assembly 240 of FIG. 2A, barrel assembly 940 of FIGS. 9A and 9B, and / or barrel assembly 1040 of FIG. 10) generally indicating similar or identical features. The filtered syringe 1130 can include a barrel assembly 1140, a plunger assembly 1150, and a filtration substance subsystem 1170. The filtration material subsystem 1170 may be fluidly coupled to the plunger assembly 1150. The plunger assembly 1150 may include a plunger 1152 that may be slidably received within the barrel assembly 1140. The plunger 1152 may include a filter assembly 1160 and a seal 1154. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter assembly 1160 is at least partially seated within the plunger 1152 proximal to a first or distal end portion 1153a of the plunger 1152 and distal from the seal 1154. In other embodiments, the filter assembly 1160 may have another suitable location.

[0054] 11C is a perspective view of a filter assembly 1160 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. The filter assembly 1160 can include an annular filter 1162 defining a central space 1164. The annular filter 1162 can be configured to allow a selected fluid (e.g., blood) to flow across the annular filter 1162 toward and / or away from the central space 1164, such as radially outward or inward relative to a longitudinal axis X of the annular filter 1162. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular filter 1162 includes one or more folds or pleats 1166, each of which can increase the surface area of ​​the annular filter 1162 while maintaining a generally compact form factor. In some aspects of the present technology, the pleats 1166, and / or the increased surface area of ​​the annular filter 1162 associated therewith, are expected to reduce or prevent blockages, clogging, and / or other reductions in fluid flow through the annular filter 1162, which can increase the number of filtrations that occur before replacement of the annular filter 1162.

[0055] 11D is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a filtering syringe 1130 taken along section line 11D-11D of FIG. 11B in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. A first end portion 1153a of a plunger 1152 can at least partially define a first or distal chamber portion 1141a on a first (e.g., distal) side of the first end portion 1153a and a second or proximal chamber portion 1141b on a second (e.g., proximal) side of the first end portion 1153a opposite the first side. An outermost edge 1168 of the first end portion 1153a can have a dimension (e.g., diameter) smaller than a corresponding dimension (e.g., diameter) of an inner surface 1190 of the barrel 1142 such that the outermost edge 1168 can be spaced from the inner surface 1190 of the barrel 1142 to define a gap or fluid passageway 1192 fluidly coupling the first chamber portion 1141a and the second chamber portion 1141b. The annular filter 1162 can be carried by the plunger 1152 and can be positioned, for example, with a central space 1164 of the annular filter 1162 at least partially aligned with the lumen 1156 of the plunger 1152 and / or at least partially within the second chamber portion 1141b such that all or substantially all fluid in the barrel 1142 that enters the lumen 1156 must pass through the annular filter 1162. In the illustrated embodiment, the annular filter 1162 is radially inward from an outermost edge 1168 such that the outermost edge 1168 flares or otherwise extends radially outward relative to the annular filter 1162 .

[0056] During treatment, aspirated material AM, including blood and / or clot material, may be drawn into the first chamber portion 1141a of the barrel 1142. The plunger 1152 may be advanced in a first direction D1 and / or a vacuum may be applied to the lumen 1156 to cause at least some of the material (e.g., blood) in the first chamber portion 1141a to flow through the gap 1192 into the second chamber portion 1141b, at least partially through the annular filter 1162 into the central space 1164 of the annular filter 1162, and / or into the lumen 1156, as shown by flow path arrows FP in FIG. 11D. The material (e.g., blood) in the lumen 1156 may flow into the filtration material subsystem 1170 and / or back to the patient P, such as via any of the techniques previously described herein. It is expected that the first end portion 1153a and / or the gap 1192 between the first and second chamber portions 1141a, 1141b will prevent at least a portion of the aspirated material AM (e.g., at least some aspirated clot material) from entering the second chamber portion 1141b without impeding or substantially preventing the flow of other material (e.g., blood) between the first and second chamber portions 1141a, 1141b, and / or will otherwise reduce or prevent contact between the aspirated material AM and the annular filter 1162. This, in turn, is expected to reduce or prevent clogging or other obstructions to fluid flow through the annular filter 1162. Thus, the first end portion 1153a and / or the gap 1192 can be configured to provide a first stage of filtration that blocks or prevents relatively larger matter from entering the second chamber portion 1141b, and the annular filter 1162 can provide a second stage of filtration that blocks or prevents relatively smaller matter from entering the lumen 1156.

[0057] 12A is a perspective view of another filtration syringe plunger assembly 1250 configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. At least some aspects of the plunger assembly 1250 may be at least generally similar or identical in structure and / or function to one or more of the plunger assemblies 250, 850, 1050, 1150 previously described herein. For example, the plunger assembly 1250 includes a plunger 1252 configured to carry one or more filters 1162 (FIG. 12B). However, a first or distal end portion 1253a of the plunger 1252 includes one or more holes or apertures 1292.

[0058] 12B is a cross-sectional view of the plunger assembly 1250 of FIG. 12A taken along section line 12B-12B of FIG. 11B. In FIG. 12B, the plunger assembly 1250 is shown positioned within the barrel 1242 of the filtering syringe 1230 in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. As best seen in FIG. 12B, the plunger 1252 defines a filter chamber 1294 configured to receive the annular filter 1162 and a lumen 1256 that may be fluidly coupled to the filtration substance subsystem 1170 and / or the patient. A hole 1292 formed in a first end portion 1253a of the plunger 1252 may be configured to allow fluid communication between the filter chamber 1294 (e.g., the central space 1164 of the annular filter 1162) and an exterior of the plunger 1252 (e.g., the interior of the barrel 1242). More specifically, when the annular filter 1162 is positioned within the filter chamber 1294, the individual holes of the holes 1292 can allow at least some of the aspirated substance AM (including, for example, blood and / or other fluids) within the barrel 1242 to flow into the central space 1164 of the annular filter 1162. The proximal end portion 1263 of the filter 1162 can be sealed such that at least a portion of the aspirated substance AM passing through the holes 1292 is trapped within the central space 1164 and does not, for example, pass through the filter 1162 into the filter chamber 1294 and / or lumen 1256. The distal end portion 1265 of the filter 1162 can be coupled to at least a portion of the first end portion 1253a, for example, to prevent, or at least partially prevent, the aspirated substance AM from entering the filter chamber 1294 without passing through the central space 1164 of the annular filter 1162.

[0059] During a procedure, the plunger 1252 can be moved in a first direction D1 relative to the barrel 1242 to force at least a portion of the aspirated substance AM through the individual holes of the holes 1292 and / or into the central space 1164. Once the aspirated substance AM has collected in the central space 1164, the filter 1162 can separate blood and / or other fluids contained within the aspirated substance AM from the aspirated substance AM. Because the proximal end portion 1263 and the distal end portion 1265 of the annular filter 1162 are sealed, the blood and / or other fluids can be separated by flowing the blood and / or other fluids from the central space 1164 outwardly across the filter 1162. For example, by moving the plunger 1252 in a first direction D1 relative to the barrel 1242, the blood and / or other fluids can be forced across the filter 1162, into the space between the filter 1162 and the filter chamber 1294, and into and / or through at least a portion of the lumen 1256. The blood and / or other fluids within the lumen 1256 may flow to the filtration media subsystem 1170 and / or returned to the patient P.

[0060] Thus, in some aspects of the present technology, a filtering syringe can be coupled to a catheter subsystem insertable into a patient. The filtering syringe can aspirate material (e.g., clot material, blood, etc.) from the patient through the catheter subsystem. The filtering syringe can include a plunger assembly, which can include one or more filters. Each filter can be configured to (i) allow at least a first portion of the aspirated material to pass through at least one of the filters, and (ii) prevent at least a second portion of the aspirated material from passing through at least one of the filters. In some embodiments, for example, the filter is configured to (i) allow blood to pass through the filter and (ii) prevent clot material from passing through the filter, such that the filter can "filter" the blood from other material aspirated from the patient. In some embodiments, the filtering syringe is fluidly coupled to a filtering substance subsystem. The filtering substance subsystem can include one or more valves and / or tubing sections that can fluidly couple the filtering syringe to the patient or another suitable fluid (e.g., blood) outlet location. The filtration substance subsystem can (i) capture / receive all or a portion of the first portion of the aspirated substance filtered by the filtering syringe, and / or (ii) return / reintroduce all or a portion of the first portion of the aspirated substance back to the patient.

[0061] Several aspects of the present technology are described in the following examples. 1. A filtering syringe for treating clot material from within a patient's blood vessel, the filtering syringe comprising: a barrel defining a chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the clot material and blood from the human patient; a plunger assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the plunger assembly including a filter proximate the first end portion, a port proximate the second end portion, and a lumen therebetween fluidly coupling the filter and the port; At least a first end portion of the plunger assembly is insertable into the chamber and slidable relative to the barrel; The filter is configured to allow at least a portion of the blood received in the chamber to separate from a portion of the clot material and enter the lumen of the plunger assembly. 2. The filtering syringe of Example 1, further comprising a tip configured to fluidly couple the filtering syringe to a clot treatment system. 3. The filtering syringe of example 1 or 2, wherein the filter has a circular, annular, cylindrical, and / or pleated shape. 4. The filtration syringe according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the filter has a porosity of about 40 microns to about 200 microns. 5. The filtering syringe of any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the filter comprises at least one of polyester, polyamide, and / or a blood compatible material. 6. The filter syringe of any of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the filter is a first filter having a first porosity, and the filter syringe further comprises a second filter having a second porosity. 7. The filtration syringe of example 6, wherein the first porosity is different from the first porosity. 8. The filtration syringe of Example 6, wherein the first porosity is the same as the second porosity. 9. The filtering syringe of any of Examples 6-8, wherein a second filter is positioned adjacent to the first end portion of the plunger assembly. 10. The filtering syringe of any one of Examples 6 to 9, wherein the second filter is spaced apart from the first filter. 11. The filtering syringe of any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the port comprises a Luer-actuated valve. 12. A filtering syringe as described in any of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the first end portion of the plunger assembly is a distal end portion of the plunger assembly, the second end portion is a proximal end portion of the plunger assembly, and the filter is positioned proximally from the distal end portion. 13. A filtration syringe as described in any of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the chamber includes an inner surface and a first end portion of the plunger assembly is radially spaced from the chamber, such that the barrel assembly and plunger assembly at least partially define: (i) a first chamber portion positioned on a first side of the first end portion of the plunger assembly, (ii) a second chamber portion positioned on a second side of the first end portion of the plunger assembly, the second side being opposite the first side, and (iii) a gap fluidly coupling the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion. 14. The filtering syringe of example 13, wherein the filter is positioned within the second chamber portion, the first chamber portion is configured to receive at least a portion of the clot material from the patient, the gap is configured to at least partially prevent the portion of the clot material from entering the second chamber portion, and the filter is configured to allow blood in the second chamber portion to enter the lumen. 15. A filtering syringe according to any of Examples 1-14, wherein the first end portion of the plunger assembly is configured to at least partially prevent contact between the filter and a portion of the agglomerated material. 16. A filtering syringe as described in any of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the plunger assembly defines a filter chamber configured to receive a filter, and a first end portion of the plunger assembly includes one or more holes in fluid communication with the filter chamber. 17. The filtering syringe of Example 16, wherein the filter is an annular filter defining a central space, and each of the one or more holes is positioned to direct at least a portion of the clotting material and / or blood received from the patient into the central space. 18. A system for intravascular treatment of clot material from within a blood vessel of a human patient, the system comprising: a catheter configured to be positioned within a blood vessel at a treatment site adjacent to the clot material within the blood vessel; 1. A filtering syringe configured to generate a negative pressure, the filtering syringe comprising: a tip configured to be fluidly coupled to the catheter and to receive at least a portion of the clot material and blood from within the blood vessel through the catheter; A system comprising: a filter assembly including one or more filters configured to filter blood from a portion of the clot material; and a filtering syringe including the filter assembly. 19. The system of Example 18, further comprising a filtration material system fluidly coupled to the filtration syringe and configured to receive at least a portion of the filtered blood. 20. The system of example 19, wherein the filtration material system includes a fluid driving component operable to drive the flow of filtered blood through at least a portion of the filtration material system. 21. The system of example 20, wherein the filtration material system includes at least one flow path, and the fluid driving component is operable to drive the flow of filtered blood through the at least one flow path. 22. The system of example 21, wherein at least one flow path is configured to direct fluid flow away from the filtration syringe. 23. A system described in any of Examples 19-22, wherein the filtered syringe further includes a valve opposite the tip, and the filtered substance system includes (i) a fluid control device fluidly coupled to the valve, and (ii) tubing fluidly coupled to the fluid control device, the fluid control device configured to at least partially prevent filtered blood in the tubing from entering the filtered syringe. 24. A method for removing clot material from within a blood vessel of a human patient, the method comprising: positioning a distal portion of the catheter adjacent to clot material within a blood vessel; Coupling a filtering and pressure-generating syringe to a catheter via a fluid control device, (i) fluidly connecting the filtering and pressure-generating syringe to the catheter by opening the fluid control device, and (ii) fluidly disconnecting the filtering and pressure-generating syringe from the catheter by closing the fluid control device; activating the syringe to generate a vacuum while the fluid control device is closed; opening the fluid control device to apply a vacuum to the catheter, thereby aspirating at least a portion of the agglomerated material into the catheter; and filtering the blood from a portion of the clot material through a filter in the syringe. 25. The method of example 24, wherein filtering the blood comprises moving a plunger of a syringe to move the filter toward a portion of the clot material. 26. The method of example 24 or 25, wherein filtering the blood includes activating a fluid-driven component of the filtration material system to cause blood to flow proximally through the filter toward the fluid-driven component. 27. A filtering syringe for removing a target substance from within a human patient, the filtering syringe comprising: a barrel defining a chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the target material and fluid from the human patient; a plunger assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the plunger assembly including a filter proximate the first end portion, a valve proximate the second end portion, and a lumen therebetween fluidly coupling the filter and the valve; At least a first end portion of the plunger assembly is insertable into the chamber and slidable relative to the barrel; The filtered syringe, wherein the filter is configured to allow at least a portion of the fluid received in the chamber to pass through the filter and enter the lumen of the plunger assembly. 28. The filtering syringe of example 27, wherein the fluid comprises blood. 29. The filtering syringe of any one of Examples 27 and 28, wherein the target material comprises agglomerated material. 30. A filtering syringe for treating a human patient, comprising: a barrel defining a chamber configured to receive a first substance and a second substance from within a human patient; a plunger assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the plunger assembly including a filter proximate the first end portion, a valve proximate the second end portion, and a lumen therebetween fluidly coupling the filter and the valve; At least a first end portion of the plunger assembly is insertable into the chamber and slidable relative to the barrel; A filtered syringe, wherein the filter is configured to (i) allow at least a portion of a first substance received in the chamber to pass through the filter and enter the lumen of the plunger assembly, and (ii) prevent at least a portion of a second substance received in the chamber from passing through the filter. 31. The filtering syringe of example 30, wherein the first substance comprises blood. 32. The filtering syringe of any one of examples 30 and 31, wherein the second material comprises a coagulum material. 33. A filtering syringe for treating a human patient, comprising: a barrel defining a chamber configured to receive a first substance and a second substance from within a human patient; a plunger assembly including a first body portion and a second body portion, the first body portion including a filter and a valve, and the second body portion defining an internal chamber and removably coupleable to the first body portion via the valve; At least a portion of the first body portion and the second body portion are insertable into the chamber and slidable relative to the barrel; A filtered syringe, the filter configured to allow at least a portion of the first substance received in the chamber to pass through the filter and into the interior chamber of the second body portion. 34. The filtering syringe of example 33, wherein the second body portion comprises a syringe including a plunger operable to draw at least a portion of the first substance in the chamber through the filter and into the interior chamber of the syringe. 35. The filtering syringe of example 34, wherein the syringe includes a tip, and the valve of the first body portion is configured to matingly engage the tip of the syringe to fluidly couple the chamber of the barrel to the internal chamber of the syringe. 36. The filtering syringe of any one of Examples 33 to 35, wherein the first substance comprises blood. 37. The filtering syringe of any of Examples 33-36, wherein the second substance comprises a coagulum substance.

[0062] The above detailed description of the embodiments of the present technology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present technology to the precise form disclosed above. Although specific embodiments of the technology and examples of the technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the technology, as those skilled in the art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform steps in a different order. Various embodiments described herein may also be combined to provide further embodiments.

[0063] From the above, it will be understood that, although specific embodiments of the present technology are described herein for illustrative purposes, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the present technology. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular terms, respectively.

[0064] Further, unless the term "or" is expressly limited to mean only a single item in relation to a list of two or more items, the use of "or" in such a list should be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Additionally, the term "comprising" is used throughout to mean including at least the recited features, but not excluding any more of the same features and / or other features of additional types. It will also be understood that although specific embodiments have been described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications may be made without departing from the technology. Furthermore, although advantages associated with some embodiments of the technology have been described in the context of these embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology. Thus, the present disclosure and related technology may encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.

Claims

1. 1. A filtering syringe for treating clot material from within a patient's blood vessel, the filtering syringe comprising: a barrel defining a chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the clot material and blood from the patient; a plunger assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the plunger assembly including a filter proximate the first end portion, a port proximate the second end portion, and a lumen therebetween fluidly coupling the filter and the port; at least the first end portion of the plunger assembly is insertable into the chamber and slidable relative to the barrel; the filter is configured to allow at least a portion of the blood received in the chamber to separate from the portion of the clot material and enter the lumen of the plunger assembly.

2. The filtering syringe of claim 1 , further comprising a tip configured to fluidly couple the filtering syringe to a clot treatment system.

3. The filtering syringe of claim 1 , wherein the filter has a circular, annular, cylindrical, and / or pleated shape.

4. 10. The filtering syringe of claim 1, wherein the filter has a porosity of about 40 microns to about 200 microns.

5. The filtering syringe of claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises at least one of polyester, polyamide, and / or a hemocompatible material.

6. 10. The filter syringe of claim 1, wherein the filter is a first filter having a first porosity, and the filter syringe further comprises a second filter having a second porosity.

7. The filtering syringe of claim 6 , wherein the first porosity is different from the first porosity.

8. The filtering syringe of claim 6 , wherein the first porosity is the same as the second porosity.

9. The filtered syringe of claim 6 , wherein the second filter is positioned proximate to the first end portion of the plunger assembly.

10. The filtered syringe of claim 6 , wherein the second filter is spaced apart from the first filter.

11. The filtered syringe of claim 1 , wherein the port comprises a Luer-activated valve.

12. 2. The filtering syringe of claim 1, wherein the first end portion of the plunger assembly is a distal end portion of the plunger assembly, the second end portion is a proximal end portion of the plunger assembly, and the filter is positioned proximally from the distal end portion.

13. 2. The filtration syringe of claim 1, wherein the chamber includes an inner surface, and a first end portion of the plunger assembly is radially spaced from the chamber, such that the barrel assembly and the plunger assembly at least partially define: (i) a first chamber portion located on a first side of the first end portion of the plunger assembly, (ii) a second chamber portion located on a second side of the first end portion of the plunger assembly, the second side being opposite the first side, and (iii) a gap fluidly coupling the first chamber portion and the second chamber portion.

14. 14. The filtering syringe of claim 13, wherein the filter is positioned within the second chamber portion, the first chamber portion is configured to receive at least a portion of the clot material from the patient, the gap is configured to at least partially prevent the portion of the clot material from entering the second chamber portion, and the filter is configured to allow blood within the second chamber portion to enter the lumen.

15. 2. The filtering syringe of claim 1, wherein the first end portion of the plunger assembly is configured to at least partially prevent contact between the filter and the portion of the agglomerated material.

16. 2. The filtered syringe of claim 1, wherein the plunger assembly defines a filter chamber configured to receive the filter, and the first end portion of the plunger assembly includes one or more holes in fluid communication with the filter chamber.

17. 17. The filtering syringe of claim 16, wherein the filter is an annular filter defining a central space, and each of the one or more holes is positioned to direct at least a portion of the clotting material and / or the blood received from the patient into the central space.

18. 1. A system for the endovascular treatment of clotting material from within a blood vessel of a human patient, the system comprising: a catheter configured to be positioned within a blood vessel at a treatment site adjacent the clot material within the blood vessel; 1. A filtering syringe configured to generate a negative pressure, the filtering syringe comprising: a tip fluidly coupled to the catheter and configured to receive at least a portion of the clot material and blood from within the blood vessel through the catheter; a filter assembly including one or more filters configured to filter the blood from the portion of the clot material; and a filtering syringe including the filter assembly.

19. 20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a filtration material system fluidly coupled to the filtration syringe and configured to receive at least a portion of the filtered blood.

20. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the filtration material system includes a fluid driving component operable to drive a flow of the filtered blood through at least a portion of the filtration material system.

21. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the filtration material system includes at least one flow path, and a fluid driving component is operable to drive a flow of the filtered blood through the at least one flow path.

22. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one flow path is configured to direct fluid flow away from the filtering syringe.

23. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the filtered syringe further comprises a valve opposite the tip, and the filtration substance system comprises: (i) a fluid control device fluidly coupled to the valve; and (ii) tubing fluidly coupled to the fluid control device, the fluid control device configured to at least partially prevent filtered blood in the tubing from entering the filtered syringe.

24. 1. A method for removing clot material from within a blood vessel of a human patient, the method comprising: positioning a distal portion of a catheter adjacent to the clot material within the blood vessel; coupling a filtering and pressure-generating syringe to the catheter via a fluid control device, (i) fluidly connecting the filtering and pressure-generating syringe to the catheter by opening the fluid control device, and (ii) fluidly disconnecting the filtering and pressure-generating syringe from the catheter by closing the fluid control device; activating the syringe to generate a vacuum while the fluid control device is closed; opening the fluid control device to apply the vacuum to the catheter, thereby aspirating at least a portion of the agglomerated material into the catheter; and filtering blood from said portion of said clot material through a filter in said syringe.

25. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein filtering the blood comprises moving a plunger of the syringe to move the filter toward the portion of the clot material.

26. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein filtering the blood includes actuating a fluid drive component of a filtration material system to cause the blood to flow proximally through the filter toward the fluid drive component.

27. 1. A filtering syringe for removing a target substance from within a human patient, said filtering syringe comprising: a barrel defining a chamber configured to receive at least a portion of the target material and fluid from the human patient; a plunger assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the plunger assembly including a filter proximate the first end portion, a valve proximate the second end portion, and a lumen therebetween fluidly coupling the filter and the valve; at least the first end portion of the plunger assembly is insertable into the chamber and slidable relative to the barrel; The filter is configured to allow at least a portion of the fluid received in the chamber to pass through the filter and enter the lumen of the plunger assembly.

28. 28. The filtering syringe of claim 27, wherein the fluid comprises blood.

29. 28. The filtering syringe of claim 27, wherein the target material comprises agglomerated material.

30. 1. A filtering syringe for treating a human patient, comprising: a barrel defining a chamber configured to receive a first substance and a second substance from within the human patient; a plunger assembly having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the plunger assembly including a filter proximate the first end portion, a valve proximate the second end portion, and a lumen therebetween fluidly coupling the filter and the valve; at least the first end portion of the plunger assembly is insertable into the chamber and slidable relative to the barrel; the filter is configured to (i) allow at least a portion of the first substance received in the chamber to pass through the filter and enter the lumen of the plunger assembly, and (ii) prevent at least a portion of the second substance received in the chamber from passing through the filter.

31. 31. The filtering syringe of claim 30, wherein the first material comprises blood.

32. 31. The filtering syringe of claim 30, wherein the second material comprises a coagulum material.

33. 1. A filtering syringe for treating a human patient, comprising: a barrel defining a chamber configured to receive a first substance and a second substance from within the human patient; a plunger assembly including a first body portion and a second body portion, the first body portion including a filter and a valve, and the second body portion defining an internal chamber and removably coupleable to the first body portion via the valve; at least a portion of the first body portion and the second body portion are insertable into the chamber and slidable relative to the barrel; the filter is configured to allow at least a portion of the first substance received in the chamber to pass through the filter and into the interior chamber of the second body portion.

34. 34. The filtering syringe of claim 33, wherein the second body portion comprises a syringe including a plunger operable to draw at least a portion of the first substance in the chamber through the filter and into the interior chamber of the syringe.

35. 35. The filtered syringe of claim 34, wherein the syringe includes a tip, and the valve of the first body portion is configured to matingly engage the tip of the syringe to fluidly couple the chamber of the barrel to the internal chamber of the syringe.

36. 34. The filtering syringe of claim 33, wherein the first substance comprises blood.

37. 34. The filtering syringe of claim 33, wherein the second material comprises a coagulum.

Images