Patent US6887256B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6887256B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Embolic protection system
Assignee: SALVIC Ltd
•
Filing: 2001-04-20
•
Granted: 2005-05-03
•
Expires: 2021-04-20
Abstract
Abstract An assembly for loading a collapsible embolic protection filter 1 into a catheter 2 , comprises a catheter 2 defining a reception space at a distal end of the catheter 2 for receiving a collapsed embolic protection filter 1 ; and a separate removable pushing device 8 for delivering the embolic protection filter 1 into the reception space. The pushing device 8 comprises an elongate stem 71 with a proximal stop 72 for engagement with the filter 1 . A separate loading device 7 to collapse the embolic protection filter 1 is also provided. The loading device 7 defines an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end being configured for co-operative alignment with the reception space.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Gilson
- 👤 Charles Taylor
- 👤 Patrick Griffin
- 👤 Michael Gilvarry
- 👤 David Vale
- 👤 Eamon Brady
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0095; A61F2/01; A61F2/011; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61F2/013; A61F2/95; A61F2/9522; A61F2002/015; A61F2002/018; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0006; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of loading an embolic protection filter into a catheter, the method comprising the steps of: providing an embolic protection filter, the embolic protection filter being collapsible; providing a catheter defining a reception space at a distal end of the catheter for receiving the collapsed embolic protection filter, the catheter comprising an internal proximal stop; providing a loading device to collapse the embolic protection filter, the loading device defining an inlet end and an outlet end; aligning the outlet end of the loading device with the reception space; delivering the embolic protection filter through the loading device and into the reception space; moving the collapsed embolic protection filter towards the reception space to engage said internal proximal stop; and disassociating the loaded catheter from the loading device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of loading an embolic protection filter into a catheter, the method comprising the steps of: providing an embolic protection filter, the embolic protection filter being collapsible; providing a catheter defining a reception space at a distal end of the catheter for receiving the collapsed embolic protection filter, the catheter comprising an internal proximal stop; providing a loading device to collapse the embolic protection filter, the loading device defining an inlet end and an outlet end; aligning the outlet end of the loading device with the reception space; delivering the embolic protection filter through the loading device and into the reception space; moving the collapsed embolic protection filter towards the reception space to engage said internal proximal stop; and disassociating the loaded catheter from the loading device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the steps of: providing an urging device for delivering the embolic protection filter through the loading device and into the reception space; and for engaging the collapsed embolic protection filter with the internal proximal stop; and removing the urging device after disassociating the loaded catheter from the loading device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the urging device comprises a wire for threading through the embolic protection filter, and a stop for engaging the embolic protection filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the loading device comprises an elongate neck at the outlet end, and the method comprises the step of at least partially aligning the elongate neck with the reception space before delivering the embolic protection filter through the loading device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method comprises the step of flushing the embolic protection filter before delivering the embolic protection filter through the loading device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method comprises the step of flushing the catheter before delivering the embolic protection filter into the reception space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the catheter comprises an outer catheter tube and an inner catheter tube, the inner catheter tube defining the internal proximal stop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein both the inner catheter tube and the outer catheter tube are flushed before delivering the embolic protection filter through the loading device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
252 words
A vascular filter assembly and assembly for loading the vascular filter assembly comprising: a vascular filter assembly for removing embolic material in body fluid flowing within a vessel, the vascular filter assembly having an expanded state and a pre-deployment collapsed state and comprising: a filter element, the filter element comprising a filter membrane and a filter support frame for the membrane; the filter support frame being collapsed in the pre-deployment state and the filter support frame being expanded in the expanded state; the filter element having at least one inlet opening at a proximal end of the filter element and a plurality of outlet openings towards a distal end of the filter element, the outlet openings allowing body fluid to flow through the filter element but retaining embolic material within the filter element, and the inlet opening being larger than any of the outlet openings; a lumen extending through the filter element from the proximal end of the filter element to the distal end of the filter element; and an abutment coupled to the filter element; a delivery catheter, the delivery catheter including a reception space at a distal end of the delivery catheter for receiving the filter assembly in the pre-deployment collapsed state; and an urging device delivering the filter assembly into the reception space of the delivery catheter, the urging device being engagable with the abutment in the expanded state of the filter assembly to assist in collapsing the filter assembly from the expanded state to the collapsed pre-deployment state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
252 words
A vascular filter assembly and assembly for loading the vascular filter assembly comprising: a vascular filter assembly for removing embolic material in body fluid flowing within a vessel, the vascular filter assembly having an expanded state and a pre-deployment collapsed state and comprising: a filter element, the filter element comprising a filter membrane and a filter support frame for the membrane; the filter support frame being collapsed in the pre-deployment state and the filter support frame being expanded in the expanded state; the filter element having at least one inlet opening at a proximal end of the filter element and a plurality of outlet openings towards a distal end of the filter element, the outlet openings allowing body fluid to flow through the filter element but retaining embolic material within the filter element, and the inlet opening being larger than any of the outlet openings; a lumen extending through the filter element from the proximal end of the filter element to the distal end of the filter element; and an abutment coupled to the filter element; a delivery catheter, the delivery catheter including a reception space at a distal end of the delivery catheter for receiving the filter assembly in the pre-deployment collapsed state; and an urging device delivering the filter assembly into the reception space of the delivery catheter, the urging device being engagable with the abutment in the expanded state of the filter assembly to assist in collapsing the filter assembly from the expanded state to the collapsed pre-deployment state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 comprising a separate loading device to collapse the filter assembly, the loading device defining an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end being configured for co-operative alignment with the reception space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 wherein the urging device comprises a stop for engagement with the filter assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 wherein the urging device comprises a stem, the stem having a stop for engaging the abutment of the filter assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 wherein the urging device comprises a handle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 wherein the loading device is configured to radially compress the filter assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 14 wherein the loading device comprises a funnel, the inlet end defining a larger cross sectional area than the outlet end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 15 wherein the loading device comprises a main support having a funnel-shaped bore formed from a frusto-conical filter assembly receiving portion and a cylindrical portion formed by a loading tube projecting from the main support, the cylindrical portion being aligned with the reception space before loading.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 15 in which the cone angle of the funnel is between 15° and 65°.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 17 in which the cone angle is between 35° and 45°.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 10 wherein the loading device extends into the reception space.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 10 wherein the loading device extends around the outside of the reception space.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 comprising a tray, the tray comprising a first retainer configured to releasably support the urging device in a disengaged position before delivering the filter assembly into the delivery catheter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 21 comprising a second retainer configured to releasably support the loading device in co-operative alignment with the delivery catheter during loading.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
64 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 21 wherein the first and second retainers together include a channel for receiving at least one of the loading device and the delivery catheter and the urging device, and at least one projection on the channel wall projecting inwardly for snap retention of at least one of the loading device and the delivery catheter and the urging device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 21 wherein the tray comprises a liquid retaining bath formed by a recess in the tray, the bath having a depth sufficient to accommodate in a totally submerged state the reception space of the delivery catheter and the filter assembly for submerged loading of the filter assembly into the reception space.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 24 wherein the tray has a catheter holding channel communicating with the bath, the channel defining a pathway around the tray which supports the delivery catheter in a loading position on the tray.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
67 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 25 wherein the delivery catheter is secured within the channel with a number of retainers spaced-apart along the channel, each retainer comprising two or more associated projections which project inwardly from opposite side walls of the channel adjacent a mouth of the channel, the projections being resiliently deformable for snap engagement of the delivery catheter within the channel behind the projections.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 25 wherein a ramp is provided at an end of the holding channel communicating with the bath to direct the reception space of the delivery catheter towards a bottom of the bath.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 27 wherein a support is provided within the bath for supporting the reception space of the delivery catheter above the bottom of the bath.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 28 wherein said support is a step adjacent the channel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 24 wherein the first retainer is provided within the bath.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
11 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 comprising a flushing device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 31 wherein the flushing device comprises a syringe.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lumen extends along a central axis of the filter element.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lumen is formed at least in part by a tubular member coupled to the filter element.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 34 wherein the filter element is fixed to proximal end portion of the tubular member and detached from a distal end portion of the tubular member.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 34 wherein the tubular member extends substantially the entire length of the filter element.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 34 wherein the abutment is formed by a distal end portion of the tubular member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 34 wherein the abutment is attached to the tubular member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 34 wherein the abutment is located proximal of a distal end portion of the tubular member.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
45 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 wherein the urging device is a pushing device having a proximal end located distal of the filter assembly, the pushing device configured to provide a pushing force on the filter assembly to assist in collapsing the filter assembly.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
45 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 wherein the urging device is a pulling device having a proximal end located proximal of the filter assembly, the pulling device configured to provide a pulling force on the filter assembly to assist in collapsing the filter assembly.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assemblies as claimed in claim 9 wherein a portion of the urging device extends through the lumen when collapsing the filter assembly from the expanded state to the collapsed pre-deployment state.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
241 words
A method for loading an vascular filter assembly into a delivery catheter prior to deploying the filter assembly in a patient, the method comprising the steps of: providing a vascular filter assembly having an expanded state and a pre-deployment collapsed state, the filter assembly comprising: a filter element, the filter element comprising a filter membrane and a filter support frame for the membrane; the filter support frame being collapsed in the pre-deployment state and the filter support frame being expanded in the expanded state; the filter element having at least one inlet opening at a proximal end of the filter element and a plurality of outlet openings towards a distal end of the filter element, the outlet openings allowing body fluid to flow through the filter element but retaining embolic material within the filter element, and the inlet opening being larger than any of the outlet openings; a lumen extending through the filter element from the proximal end of the filter element to the distal end of the filter element; and an abutment coupled to the filter element; providing a delivery catheter, the delivery catheter including a reception space at a distal end thereof; providing an urging device; engaging the urging device with the abutment in the expanded state of the filter assembly; and using the urging device to move the filter assembly towards the pre-deployment collapsed state and deliver the filter assembly into the reception space in the delivery catheter.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
241 words
A method for loading an vascular filter assembly into a delivery catheter prior to deploying the filter assembly in a patient, the method comprising the steps of: providing a vascular filter assembly having an expanded state and a pre-deployment collapsed state, the filter assembly comprising: a filter element, the filter element comprising a filter membrane and a filter support frame for the membrane; the filter support frame being collapsed in the pre-deployment state and the filter support frame being expanded in the expanded state; the filter element having at least one inlet opening at a proximal end of the filter element and a plurality of outlet openings towards a distal end of the filter element, the outlet openings allowing body fluid to flow through the filter element but retaining embolic material within the filter element, and the inlet opening being larger than any of the outlet openings; a lumen extending through the filter element from the proximal end of the filter element to the distal end of the filter element; and an abutment coupled to the filter element; providing a delivery catheter, the delivery catheter including a reception space at a distal end thereof; providing an urging device; engaging the urging device with the abutment in the expanded state of the filter assembly; and using the urging device to move the filter assembly towards the pre-deployment collapsed state and deliver the filter assembly into the reception space in the delivery catheter.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 comprising the steps of: providing a loading device, the loading device defining an inlet end and an outlet end; aligning the outlet end of the loading device in co-operation with the reception space; and delivering the filter assembly through the inlet end of the loading device in the expanded state and into the reception space.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in claim 44 wherein the delivery catheter comprises an internal proximal stop, and the method comprises the step of moving the collapsed filter assembly proximally in the reception space using the urging device to engage the internal proximal stop and disassociating the loaded delivery catheter from the loading device before removing the urging device.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in claim 45 wherein the delivery catheter is constrained relative to the loading device before delivery of the filter assembly through the loading device into the reception space, and the method comprises the step of releasing the constraint to facilitate disassociation of the loaded delivery catheter from the loading device.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 wherein the urging device comprises a wire for threading through the filter assembly, and a stop for engaging the abutment of the filter assembly.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as claimed in the claim 43 wherein the loading device comprises an elongate neck at the outlet end, and the method comprises the step of at least partially positioning the elongate neck in the reception space before delivering the filter assembly into the reception space.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 wherein the method comprises the step of flushing the filter assembly before delivering the filter assembly into the reception space.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 wherein the method comprises the step of flushing the delivery catheter before delivering the filter assembly into the reception space.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 45 wherein the delivery catheter comprises an outer catheter tube and an inner catheter tube, the inner catheter tube defining the internal proximal stop.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 51 wherein both the inner catheter tube and the outer catheter tube are flushed before delivering the filter assembly through the loading device.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 wherein the lumen extends along a central axis of the filter element.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 wherein the lumen is formed at least in part by a tubular member coupled to the filter element.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the filter element is fixed to proximal end portion of the tubular member and detached from a distal end portion of the tubular member.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the tubular member extends substantially the entire length of the filter element.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the abutment is formed by a distal end portion of the tubular member.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the abutment is attached to the tubular member.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the abutment is located proximal of a distal end portion of the tubular member.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 wherein the step of using the urging device to move the filter assembly includes providing a pushing force on the urging device to provide a pushing force on the filter assembly.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 wherein the step of using the urging device to move the filter assembly includes providing a pulling force on the urging device to provide a pulling force on the filter assembly.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 wherein a portion of the urging device extends through the lumen when collapsing the filter assembly.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein further moving of the collapsed embolic protection filter proximally after engaging the internal proximal stop causes said disassociation of the loaded catheter from the loading device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-05-02 | 2008-11-01 | 2009-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-05-02 | 2012-11-01 | 2013-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-05-02 | 2016-11-01 | 2017-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |