Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 84
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
1 . A filter device for filtering a body vessel fluid in a patient's body, the vessel having interior walls, the filter device comprising: a filter body having an open proximal end region and a closed, everted distal end region, the filter body being formed of a porous mesh, the mesh defining a filter body interior and exterior, wherein the everted distal end region has an exterior distal everted cavity; a first elongate member having a distal region operably coupled to the filter body distal end region; and means for changing the degree of eversion of the filter body by changing the distance between the filter body proximal and distal end regions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
1 . A filter device for filtering a body vessel fluid in a patient's body, the vessel having interior walls, the filter device comprising: a filter body having an open proximal end region and a closed, everted distal end region, the filter body being formed of a porous mesh, the mesh defining a filter body interior and exterior, wherein the everted distal end region has an exterior distal everted cavity; a first elongate member having a distal region operably coupled to the filter body distal end region; and means for changing the degree of eversion of the filter body by changing the distance between the filter body proximal and distal end regions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
2 . A filter device as in claim 1 , wherein the means for changing the degree of eversion includes the filter body being biased to expand radially outward against the vessel interior walls to hold the filter body in place, wherein the means for changing the degree of eversion also includes means for moving the first elongate member and coupled filter body distal end region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
3 . A filter device as in claim 2 , wherein the first elongate member is a tether and the means for moving the first elongate member includes the first elongate member having a proximal region accessible from outside the patient's body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
4 . A filter device as in claim 2 , wherein the first elongate member is a shaft and the means for moving the first elongate member includes the first elongate member having a proximal region accessible from outside the patient's body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
5 . A filter device as in claim 1 , further comprising a second elongate member operably coupled to the filter body proximal end region, wherein the means for changing the degree of eversion also includes means for moving the first and second elongate members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
6 . A filter device as in claim 5 , wherein the second elongate member is a shaft and the means for moving the first and second elongate members includes the first and second elongate members each having a proximal region accessible from outside the patient's body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
7 . A filter device as in claim 5 , wherein the first and second elongate members are shafts and the means for moving the first and second elongate members includes the first and second elongate members each having a proximal region accessible from outside the patient's body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
8 . A filter device as in claim 5 , wherein the second elongate member is a shaft having a lumen therethrough having the first elongate member slidably disposed within, and the means for moving the first and second elongate members includes the first and second elongate members each having a proximal region accessible from outside the patient's body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
9 . A filter device as in claim 5 , wherein the second elongate member is a tether having a distal region operably coupled to the filter body proximal end region, wherein the first elongate member is a shaft having a lumen therethrough having the second elongate member slidably disposed within, and the means for moving the first and second elongate members includes the first and second elongate members each having a proximal region accessible from outside the patient's body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
10 . A filter device as in claim 1 , wherein the porous mesh is self-expanding.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
11 . An everted filter device comprising: an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a proximal region a distal region, and an outer surface; and a mesh filter body having an average pore size, the filter body having a first end region slidably secured to the elongate member distal portion proximal region, a filter body second end region opposite the first end region fixedly secured to the elongate member distal portion distal region, a filter body intermediate region disposed between the filter body first and second end regions, and at least one proximal opening having a size at least five times the average filter body pore size, wherein the filter body has an everted distal exterior cavity having a length, wherein the filter body distal cavity length can be varied by varying the distance between the filter body first and second end regions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
11 . An everted filter device comprising: an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a proximal region a distal region, and an outer surface; and a mesh filter body having an average pore size, the filter body having a first end region slidably secured to the elongate member distal portion proximal region, a filter body second end region opposite the first end region fixedly secured to the elongate member distal portion distal region, a filter body intermediate region disposed between the filter body first and second end regions, and at least one proximal opening having a size at least five times the average filter body pore size, wherein the filter body has an everted distal exterior cavity having a length, wherein the filter body distal cavity length can be varied by varying the distance between the filter body first and second end regions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
12 . A device as in claim 11 , wherein the mesh filter body has at least two proximal openings having a size at least five times the average pore size.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
13 . A device as in claim 11 , wherein the filter body has an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the filter body exterior surface is operably coupled to and faces the elongate member outer surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
14 . A device as in claim 13 , wherein the filter body second end region exterior surface is directly fixed to the elongate member distal portion distal region outer surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
15 . A device as in claim 13 , wherein the filter body second end region exterior surface is fixed to the elongate member distal portion distal region with a distal band.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
16 . A device as in claim 11 , wherein the filter body proximal end region is slidably secured to the elongate member with a proximal band fixedly secured to the filter body first end region wherein the proximal band is slidably disposed over the elongate member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
17 . A device as in claim 11 , wherein the filter body distal everted cavity is formed by the filter body second end region interior surface being secured to and facing the elongate member distal portion distal region outer surface, such that a distal cavity proximal most extent is formed by the filter body exterior surface, wherein the filter body is biased to assume the everted shape when unconstrained.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
18 . A device as in claim 17 , wherein the filter body second end region is secured to the elongate member distal portion distal region with a distal band disposed over the filter body second end region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
19 . A device as in claim 11 , further comprising an atraumatic tip extending distally from the elongate member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
20 . A device as in claim 11 , wherein the filter body is biased to expand radially outward to anchor the filter body to an enclosing vessel wall.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
21 . A device as in claim 11 , wherein the elongate member is a shaft.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
66 words
22 . A device as in claim 11 , wherein the device has a proximal band slidably disposed over the elongate member, wherein the band has an inner surface facing the elongate member, an outer surface forming the band exterior, and an intermediate region between the inner surface and outer surface, wherein the filter body first end region is secured within the proximal band intermediate region.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
23 . A device as in claim 22 , wherein the proximal band is formed of an inner proximal band and outer proximal band, having the filter body first end region disposed between the inner and outer proximal bands.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
24 . A device as in claim 11 , wherein the elongate member is a shaft having a lumen therethrough.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
25 . A device as in claim 11 , wherein the filter body is heat set to evert when unconstrained.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
26 . A device as in claim 11 , wherein the filter body is self-expanding.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
215 words
27 . A method for capturing a filtrate material from a fluid in a body vessel, the method comprising the steps of providing a filter device including an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a proximal region, and a distal region, the filter device further including a mesh filter body formed of a filter material having an average pore size, the filter body having a first end region slidably secured to the elongate member distal portion proximal region, a filter body second end region opposite the first end region fixedly secured to the elongate member distal portion distal region, a filter body intermediate region disposed between the filter body first and second end regions, the filter body extending distally from the proximal opening and everting over a distal-most region to converge radially inwardly and proximally to form an exterior distal everted cavity, and at least one proximal opening having a size at least five times the average filter body pore size; advancing the filter body to a vessel region to be filtered; deploying the filter device in a first configuration where the filter body has a first collection region of filter material occupying the distal-most region; and collecting the filtrate in the filter body first collection region.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
215 words
27 . A method for capturing a filtrate material from a fluid in a body vessel, the method comprising the steps of providing a filter device including an elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a proximal region, and a distal region, the filter device further including a mesh filter body formed of a filter material having an average pore size, the filter body having a first end region slidably secured to the elongate member distal portion proximal region, a filter body second end region opposite the first end region fixedly secured to the elongate member distal portion distal region, a filter body intermediate region disposed between the filter body first and second end regions, the filter body extending distally from the proximal opening and everting over a distal-most region to converge radially inwardly and proximally to form an exterior distal everted cavity, and at least one proximal opening having a size at least five times the average filter body pore size; advancing the filter body to a vessel region to be filtered; deploying the filter device in a first configuration where the filter body has a first collection region of filter material occupying the distal-most region; and collecting the filtrate in the filter body first collection region.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
58 words
28 . A method as in claim 27 , further comprising relocating the first collection region from the distal-most region to a more proximal region and moving a second collection region to occupy the distal-most region by changing the degree of eversion of the filter body by varying the distance between the filter body first and second regions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
29 . A method as in claim 28 , wherein the relocating step includes increasing the distance between the filter body first and second regions to bring filter material from the distal cavity to occupy the distal-most region and to bring the first collection region radially outside of and proximal of the distal cavity.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
30 . A method as in claim 29 , wherein the increasing distance step includes distally advancing the filter body second end region.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
53 words
31 . A method as in claim 29 , wherein the method includes providing the filter body biased to expand radially against the vessel wall to anchor the filter body, wherein the increasing distance step includes distally advancing the filter body second end region relative to the anchored filter body first end region.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
54 words
32 . A method as in claim 28 , wherein the relocating step includes decreasing the distance between the filter body first and second regions to bring filter material from proximal of and radially outside the distal-most region to occupy the distal-most region and to bring the first collection region into the distal cavity.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
33 . A method as in claim 32 , wherein the decreasing distance step includes proximally retracting the elongate member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
34 . A method as in claim 32 , wherein the decreasing distance step includes proximally retracting the filter body second end region.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
53 words
35 . A method as in claim 32 , wherein the method includes providing the filter body biased to expand radially against the vessel wall to anchor the filter body, wherein the decreasing distance step includes proximally retracting the filter body second end region relative to the anchored filter body first end region.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
131 words
36 . An everted filter device comprising: a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region; a second shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region and a proximal region; and a filter body formed of a porous mesh material having an average pore size, a first end region secured to the first shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having a second end region secured to the second shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having at least one proximal opening having an opening size at least five times the filter body average pore size, wherein the filter body distal region is everted when unconstrained to form an exterior distal everted cavity.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
131 words
36 . An everted filter device comprising: a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region; a second shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region and a proximal region; and a filter body formed of a porous mesh material having an average pore size, a first end region secured to the first shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having a second end region secured to the second shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having at least one proximal opening having an opening size at least five times the filter body average pore size, wherein the filter body distal region is everted when unconstrained to form an exterior distal everted cavity.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
37 . A device as in claim 36 , wherein the second shaft is slidably coupled to the first shaft.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
38 . A device as in claim 37 , wherein the first shaft has a lumen therethrough having the second shaft slidably disposed within.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
39 . A device as in claim 37 , wherein the second shaft includes a curved region disposed distally of the first and second shaft slidable coupling and biased to assume a curved shape when unconstrained.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
40 . A device as in claim 37 , wherein the second shaft extends distally and transversely away from the first shaft slidable coupling to inhibit proximal movement of the second shaft.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
31 words
41 . A device as in claim 37 , wherein the second shaft extends distally and transversely away from the first shaft coupling to limit proximal movement of the second shaft.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
42 . A device as in claim 36 , wherein the second shaft is slidably coupled to the first shaft through a frictional lock giving tactile indication through the second shaft of translational movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
43 . A device as in claim 36 , wherein the second shaft is slidably coupled to the first shaft through a frictional lock limiting translational movement of the second shaft relative to the first shaft.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
91 words
44 . A device as in claim 36 , wherein the mouth region includes a loop secured to at least part of the mouth region, wherein the loop includes a first portion disposed through the body proximal mouth region and a second portion disposed between the first shaft and the filter body proximal mouth region, wherein the loop is slidably disposed within the filter body proximal mouth region, such that the body proximal opening may be decreased in size by proximally retracting the loop relative to the body proximal mouth region.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
45 . A device as in claim 36 , wherein the porous mesh is self-expanding.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
119 words
46 . An everted filter device comprising: a shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region; and a porous mesh filter body having a first end region, a second end region, and an intermediate region disposed between the first and second end regions, the body having a proximal opening having a cross sectional area at least about five times the average pore cross sectional area of the filter body, wherein the opening is disposed within a proximal mouth region; wherein the shaft is coupled to the filter body second end region, and the shaft distal region is coupled to the filter body proximal mouth region with at least two elongate fastening members.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
119 words
46 . An everted filter device comprising: a shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region; and a porous mesh filter body having a first end region, a second end region, and an intermediate region disposed between the first and second end regions, the body having a proximal opening having a cross sectional area at least about five times the average pore cross sectional area of the filter body, wherein the opening is disposed within a proximal mouth region; wherein the shaft is coupled to the filter body second end region, and the shaft distal region is coupled to the filter body proximal mouth region with at least two elongate fastening members.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
47 . A device as in claim 46 , wherein the fastening members are struts acting to hold the filter body proximal opening in an open configuration.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
32 words
48 . A device as in claim 46 , wherein the fastening members are tethers and the filter body is biased to hold the filter body proximal opening in an open configuration.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
49 . A device as in claim 46 , wherein the filter body is biased remain in the open position through the biasing action of a proximal loop secured to the body proximal mouth region.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
48 words
50 . A device as in claim 46 , wherein the fastening members are tethers having distal regions and the shaft has a lumen therethrough, wherein the tethers are operably coupled at the distal regions to the body proximal mouth region and extend proximally into the shaft lumen.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
34 words
51 . A device as in claim 50 , wherein the tethers extend through the lumen to the shaft proximal region such that the tethers are accessible for manipulation from the shaft proximal region.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
52 . A device as in claim 46 , wherein the porous mesh is self-expanding.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
191 words
53 . An everted occluding/perfusing device comprising: a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region; a second shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region and a proximal region; and a mesh body having an average pore size, a first end region secured to the first shaft distal portion distal region, the mesh body having a second end region secured to the distal shaft distal portion distal region, the mesh body having at least one proximal opening having an opening size at least five times the mesh body average pore size, the mesh body having an interior and a exterior, wherein the mesh body distal region is everted when unconstrained to form a distal-most region and converges inwardly and proximally to form an exterior distal everted cavity, wherein the mesh body has a perfusing portion and an occluding portion disposed over the mesh body such that changing the degree of eversion of the mesh body changes the device between the occluding and perfusing portions being disposed in the distal-most region of the mesh body.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
191 words
53 . An everted occluding/perfusing device comprising: a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region; a second shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region and a proximal region; and a mesh body having an average pore size, a first end region secured to the first shaft distal portion distal region, the mesh body having a second end region secured to the distal shaft distal portion distal region, the mesh body having at least one proximal opening having an opening size at least five times the mesh body average pore size, the mesh body having an interior and a exterior, wherein the mesh body distal region is everted when unconstrained to form a distal-most region and converges inwardly and proximally to form an exterior distal everted cavity, wherein the mesh body has a perfusing portion and an occluding portion disposed over the mesh body such that changing the degree of eversion of the mesh body changes the device between the occluding and perfusing portions being disposed in the distal-most region of the mesh body.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
85 words
54 . A device as in claim 53 , wherein the occluding portion is disposed near the mesh body second end, wherein the perfusing portion is disposed between the occluding portion and the mesh body first end region, such that moving the mesh body second end region toward the body first end region acts to further evert the mesh body and cause the occluding region to form the distal cavity wall while causing the perfusing portion to occupy the distal-most region of the occluding/perfusing device.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
83 words
55 . A device as in claim 53 , wherein the perfusing portion is disposed nearer the body second end region and the occluding portion is disposed between the perfusing portion and the body first end region, such that moving the body second end region toward the body first end region acts to further evert the mesh body and cause the perfusing portion to form the distal cavity wall while causing the occluding portion to occupy the distal-most region of the occluding/perfusing device.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
34 words
56 . A device as in claim 53 , wherein the mesh body perfusing portion is formed of filter material, the filter material having an average pore size of less than about 500 microns.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
33 words
57 . A device as in claim 54 , further comprising a distal fluid port disposed in the first shaft for allowing fluid infusion through the port and into the mesh body interior.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
43 words
58 . A device as in claim 54 , further comprising a fluid infusion lumen disposed along the first shaft and is in fluid communication with a distal fluid port for allowing fluid infusion through the port and into the mesh body interior.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
20 words
59 . A device as in claim 58 , wherein the fluid infusion lumen is disposed within the first shaft.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
219 words
60 . A method for filtering filtrate material from a body vessel fluid, the method comprising the steps of: providing a filter device including a filter body having a proximal opening disposed within a proximal mouth region, a closed everted distal region having a exterior distal everted cavity and a distal-most region, wherein the filter body has a filtering portion and an occluding portion oriented so that the filter body can be manipulated between an occluding mode and a filtering mode by changing the degree of eversion of the filter body, the filter device further including an elongate first member having a proximal end region, a proximal region and a distal region, the elongate first member distal region being coupled to the filter body closed everted region; advancing the filtering device filter body to the body vessel region to be filtered; manipulating the filter body to a first configuration so that the distal-most region of the filter body is occupied by the filter body occluding portion to substantially occlude flow of the vessel fluid; changing the degree of eversion of the filter body so that the distal-most region of the filtering device is occupied by the filter body filtering portion to capture the filtrate; and filtering the body vessel fluid to collect filtrate in the filter body distal-most region.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
219 words
60 . A method for filtering filtrate material from a body vessel fluid, the method comprising the steps of: providing a filter device including a filter body having a proximal opening disposed within a proximal mouth region, a closed everted distal region having a exterior distal everted cavity and a distal-most region, wherein the filter body has a filtering portion and an occluding portion oriented so that the filter body can be manipulated between an occluding mode and a filtering mode by changing the degree of eversion of the filter body, the filter device further including an elongate first member having a proximal end region, a proximal region and a distal region, the elongate first member distal region being coupled to the filter body closed everted region; advancing the filtering device filter body to the body vessel region to be filtered; manipulating the filter body to a first configuration so that the distal-most region of the filter body is occupied by the filter body occluding portion to substantially occlude flow of the vessel fluid; changing the degree of eversion of the filter body so that the distal-most region of the filtering device is occupied by the filter body filtering portion to capture the filtrate; and filtering the body vessel fluid to collect filtrate in the filter body distal-most region.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
75 words
61 . A method as in claim 60 , wherein the filter device further comprises a second elongate member having a proximal region and a distal region, wherein the filter body proximal region is coupled to the second elongate member distal region, wherein the changing degree of eversion step includes changing the distance between the first and second elongate member distal regions, to change the distance between the filter body first and second end regions.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
67 words
62 . A method as in claim 60 , wherein the filter body is biased to expand radially against an enclosing body vessel wall to anchor the filter body, wherein the changing degree of eversion step includes changing the distance between the first elongate member distal region and the filter body proximal mouth region, to change the distance between the filter body first and second end regions.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
36 words
63 . A method as in claim 62 , wherein the changing distance step includes manipulating the first elongate member from the first elongate member proximal portion end to urge the elongate member distal region proximally.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
240 words
64 . A method for delivery an agent to a body vessel interior region, the method comprising the steps of: providing an infusion device including a filter body having a proximal opening disposed within a proximal mouth region, a closed everted distal region having a distal exterior everted cavity and a distal-most region, wherein the filter body has a filtering portion and an occluding portion oriented so that the filter body can be manipulated between an occluding mode and a filtering mode by changing the degree of eversion of the filter body, the infusion device further including an elongate first member having a proximal region and a distal region, the elongate first member distal region being coupled to the filter body closed everted region, the infusion device further including an infusion lumen disposed along the first elongate member and in fluid communication with a distal port; advancing the infusion device filter body to the body vessel region to be treated; manipulating the infusion device to a first configuration where the filter body has a region of occluding material occupying the distal-most region to reduce flow through the vessel and wherein the filter body has a region of filtering material facing the vessel interior walls to allow agent flow through the filtering material vessel walls; and infusing the agent through the infusion lumen into the filter body interior to allow the agent to contact the vessel walls through the porous material.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
240 words
64 . A method for delivery an agent to a body vessel interior region, the method comprising the steps of: providing an infusion device including a filter body having a proximal opening disposed within a proximal mouth region, a closed everted distal region having a distal exterior everted cavity and a distal-most region, wherein the filter body has a filtering portion and an occluding portion oriented so that the filter body can be manipulated between an occluding mode and a filtering mode by changing the degree of eversion of the filter body, the infusion device further including an elongate first member having a proximal region and a distal region, the elongate first member distal region being coupled to the filter body closed everted region, the infusion device further including an infusion lumen disposed along the first elongate member and in fluid communication with a distal port; advancing the infusion device filter body to the body vessel region to be treated; manipulating the infusion device to a first configuration where the filter body has a region of occluding material occupying the distal-most region to reduce flow through the vessel and wherein the filter body has a region of filtering material facing the vessel interior walls to allow agent flow through the filtering material vessel walls; and infusing the agent through the infusion lumen into the filter body interior to allow the agent to contact the vessel walls through the porous material.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
33 words
65 . A method as in claim 64 , wherein the infusion lumen is disposed within the first elongate member and the infusing step includes infusing the agent through the first elongate member.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
77 words
66 . A method as in claim 65 , wherein the infusion device further comprises a second elongate member having a distal region coupled to the filter body first end region, wherein the second elongate member is a tube having the first elongate member slidably disposed within and wherein the infusion lumen is an annular lumen disposed within the tube about the first elongate member, wherein the infusing step includes infusing the agent through the annular lumen.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
192 words
67 . A filter device comprising: a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region; a second shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region and a proximal region; and a porous filter body having an average pore size, a first end region secured to the first shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having a second end region secured to the second shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having at least one proximal opening having an opening size at least five times the filter body average pore size, wherein the filter body distal region is everted when unconstrained to form an exterior distal everted cavity, wherein at least one of the first or second shafts has a lumen therethrough in fluid communication with an inflatable envelope disposed within the filter body, wherein the inflatable envelope has a distal waist region and a proximal waist region, wherein the balloon has an inflated configuration for substantially occluding the filter body interior and a second configuration substantially less occluding than the first occluding configuration.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
192 words
67 . A filter device comprising: a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region; a second shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region and a proximal region; and a porous filter body having an average pore size, a first end region secured to the first shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having a second end region secured to the second shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having at least one proximal opening having an opening size at least five times the filter body average pore size, wherein the filter body distal region is everted when unconstrained to form an exterior distal everted cavity, wherein at least one of the first or second shafts has a lumen therethrough in fluid communication with an inflatable envelope disposed within the filter body, wherein the inflatable envelope has a distal waist region and a proximal waist region, wherein the balloon has an inflated configuration for substantially occluding the filter body interior and a second configuration substantially less occluding than the first occluding configuration.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
239 words
68 . A method for occluding and filtering a vessel region, the method comprising the steps of: providing a filter device including: a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region; a second shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region and a proximal region; and a porous mesh filter body having an average pore size, a first end region secured to the first shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having a second end region secured to the second shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having at least one proximal opening having an opening size at least five times the filter body average pore size, wherein the filter body distal region is everted when unconstrained to form an exterior distal everted cavity, wherein at least one of the first or second shafts has a lumen therethrough in fluid communication with an inflatable envelope disposed within the filter body, wherein the inflatable envelope has a distal waist region and a proximal waist region, wherein the balloon has an inflated configuration for substantially occluding the filter body interior and a second configuration substantially less occluding than the first occluding configuration; advancing the filter device to a region to be filtered; inflating the balloon to substantially occlude the vessel; and uninflating the balloon to allow greater body fluid passage around the balloon.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
239 words
68 . A method for occluding and filtering a vessel region, the method comprising the steps of: providing a filter device including: a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region; a second shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region and a proximal region; and a porous mesh filter body having an average pore size, a first end region secured to the first shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having a second end region secured to the second shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having at least one proximal opening having an opening size at least five times the filter body average pore size, wherein the filter body distal region is everted when unconstrained to form an exterior distal everted cavity, wherein at least one of the first or second shafts has a lumen therethrough in fluid communication with an inflatable envelope disposed within the filter body, wherein the inflatable envelope has a distal waist region and a proximal waist region, wherein the balloon has an inflated configuration for substantially occluding the filter body interior and a second configuration substantially less occluding than the first occluding configuration; advancing the filter device to a region to be filtered; inflating the balloon to substantially occlude the vessel; and uninflating the balloon to allow greater body fluid passage around the balloon.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
19 words
69 . A method as in claim 68 , wherein the occlusion step is performed after the filtering step.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
204 words
70 . A method for removing blockage material from a vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a filter device including: a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region, a second shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region and a proximal region, and a filter body having an average pore size, a first end region secured to the first shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having a second end region secured to the second shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having at least one proximal opening having an opening size at least five times the filter body average pore size, wherein the filter body distal region is everted when unconstrained to form an exterior distal everted cavity, and a proximal loop disposed near the filter body proximal mouth region; deploying the filtering device distally of the blockage material in a configuration where the proximal loop is in a substantially open configuration; and proximally retracting the proximal loop over the blockage material such that the blockage material is at least partially captured within the filter interior while elongating the porous mesh filter.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
204 words
70 . A method for removing blockage material from a vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a filter device including: a first shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region, a second shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion, the distal portion having a distal region and a proximal region, and a filter body having an average pore size, a first end region secured to the first shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having a second end region secured to the second shaft distal portion distal region, the filter body having at least one proximal opening having an opening size at least five times the filter body average pore size, wherein the filter body distal region is everted when unconstrained to form an exterior distal everted cavity, and a proximal loop disposed near the filter body proximal mouth region; deploying the filtering device distally of the blockage material in a configuration where the proximal loop is in a substantially open configuration; and proximally retracting the proximal loop over the blockage material such that the blockage material is at least partially captured within the filter interior while elongating the porous mesh filter.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
40 words
71 . A method as in claim 70 further comprising allowing the second shaft to remain substantially in place while retracting the first shaft to elongate and increase the length of the filter body during the blockage material capture method.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
47 words
72 . A method as in claim 70 further comprising providing a capture tube having a lumen through at least a capture tube distal region, the method further comprising the step of proximally retracting the filter body having the blockage material within the capture tube distal region.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
28 words
73 . A method as in claim 70 , wherein the blockage material includes thrombus and the proximally retracting step includes proximally retracting the loop over the thrombus.