Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
1 . A filtering device for capturing embolic material released into a body vessel during a therapeutic interventional procedure, comprising: a guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end and adapted to be inserted within the vasculature of a patient and maneuvered to a point distal to an interventional procedure site; an expandable cage assembly having distal and proximal ends, the cage assembly being attached to the distal end of the guide wire and expandable to capture embolic material and collapsible to retain the captured embolic material; filter material secured to the expandable cage assembly; and at least one hinge located on the guide wire to allow the expandable cage assembly to freely articulate on the guidewire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
1 . A filtering device for capturing embolic material released into a body vessel during a therapeutic interventional procedure, comprising: a guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end and adapted to be inserted within the vasculature of a patient and maneuvered to a point distal to an interventional procedure site; an expandable cage assembly having distal and proximal ends, the cage assembly being attached to the distal end of the guide wire and expandable to capture embolic material and collapsible to retain the captured embolic material; filter material secured to the expandable cage assembly; and at least one hinge located on the guide wire to allow the expandable cage assembly to freely articulate on the guidewire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
2 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: the guide wire does not pass through the expandable cage assembly and comprises separate sections, one section attached to and extending from the proximal end of the expandable cage assembly and one section attached to and extending from the distal end of the expandable cage assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
3 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: a hinge is located distal the distal end of the expandable cage assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
4 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: a hinge is located proximal the proximal end of the expandable cage assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
5 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: each hinge comprises notches cut along the longitudinal axis of the guide wire such that an area of decreased guidewire diameter is created.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
6 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: each hinge comprises slots cut in the guide wire, each slot extending along the longitudinal axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
7 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: each hinge comprises slots cut in the guide wire, each slot extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
8 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: each hinge comprises holes cut in the guide wire along the longitudinal axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
9 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: each hinge comprises a spring connecting separate sections of the guide wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
10 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: each hinge comprises a portion of material having a different durometer than the guide wire, the portion of material connecting separate sections of the guide wire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
11 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: the expandable cage assembly is generally tubular-shaped.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
12 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: the filter material is generally parabolic-shaped.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
13 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: the filter material further comprises a plurality of openings therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
14 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: the guide wire further comprises a coiled tip at the distal end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
15 . The filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: the expandable cage assembly further comprises a plurality of struts adapted to be expanded from an unexpanded condition, the filter material attached to the plurality of struts.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
16 . The filtering device of claim 15 , wherein: each of the plurality of struts further comprises a radioopaque marker.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
17 . The filtering device of claim 15 , wherein: each the struts is comprised of a radioopaque material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
18 . The filtering device of claim 15 , wherein: the expandable cage assembly is relatively flexible at the distal end and relatively stiff at the proximal end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
19 . The filtering device of claim 1 , further comprising: stop fittings attached to the guide wire at the proximal and distal ends of the expandable cage assembly, the stop fittings preventing the expandable cage assembly from moving proximally or distally along the guide, wire.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
20 . The filtering device of claim 19 , further comprising: a stop fitting attached to the guide wire distal to the proximal end of the expandable cage assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
21 . The filtering device of claim 20 , wherein: the stop fittings are conical-shaped and provide a smooth transition between the expandable cage assembly and guide wire.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
113 words
22 . A system for facilitating the capture of embolic material released into a body vessel during a therapeutic interventional procedure, comprising: a filtering device comprising a guide wire having proximal and distal ends, an expandable cage assembly having proximal and distal ends, the cage assembly being attached to the distal end of the guide wire and expandable to capture embolic material and collapsible to retain the captured embolic material, filter material secured to the expandable cage assembly, and at least one hinge; and a delivery sheath having an elongated shaft, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the sheath is adapted to maintain the expandable cage assembly in a collapsed condition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
113 words
22 . A system for facilitating the capture of embolic material released into a body vessel during a therapeutic interventional procedure, comprising: a filtering device comprising a guide wire having proximal and distal ends, an expandable cage assembly having proximal and distal ends, the cage assembly being attached to the distal end of the guide wire and expandable to capture embolic material and collapsible to retain the captured embolic material, filter material secured to the expandable cage assembly, and at least one hinge; and a delivery sheath having an elongated shaft, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the sheath is adapted to maintain the expandable cage assembly in a collapsed condition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
60 words
23 . The system of claim 22 , further comprising: an obturator having a distal end and proximal end, wherein the obturator is attached to the guide wire distal end such that the obturator proximal end lies distal the distal end of the expandable cage assembly and the obturator distal end covers a portion of the guide wire distal end.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
69 words
24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein: the obturator proximal end has essentially the same outer diameter as the delivery sheath and the obturator distal end converges to an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the guide wire, and wherein the obturator proximal end forms a smooth profile with the delivery sheath distal end when the filtering device is retained in the delivery sheath.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
25 . The system of claim 23 , wherein: the obturator further comprises a hinge allowing the obturator to freely articulate on the guide wire.