Blood filter and method for treating vascular disease

Abstract

A filter is provided that is convertible from a filter configuration to an open, stent-like configuration. The filter includes a plurality of intraluminal filter elements (filter legs) that may be formed into a single cone or dual cone filter structure. A retainer secures the filter legs in the filter configuration upon initial deployment within a vessel. The retainer is then either self-releasing or removable to permit the filter legs to expand from the filter configuration into what may generally be described as an open or stent-like configuration. A filter web extends, at least in part, between the filter legs.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A filter adapted for use in treating vascular disease, the filter comprising: 
 a plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements, the intraluminal filter elements arranged to be disposed in a filter configuration within the lumen of a blood vessel,    a releasable retainer joining the intraluminal filter elements in the filter configuration, and    wherein upon release of the releasable retainer the intraluminal filter elements convert to an open configuration.    
     
     
         2 . The filter of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring formed integrally with the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         3 . The filter of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter web interconnecting the filter elements  
     
     
         4 . The filter of  claim 3 , wherein the filter web extends between each adjacent intraluminal filter element.  
     
     
         5 . The filter of  claim 3 , wherein the filter web is formed integrally with the intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         6 . The filter of  claim 1 , further comprising means for passively releasing the releasable retainer.  
     
     
         7 . The filter of  claim 1 , further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer after a predetermined time period.  
     
     
         8 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the releasable retainer comprises a biodegradable material.  
     
     
         9 . The filter of  claim 1 , further comprising means for actively releasing the releasable retainer.  
     
     
         10 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the releasable retainer comprises a coupling formed with a plurality of catches, each of the catches respectively engaged with one of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         11 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the releasable retainer comprises a breakable band engaging each of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         12 . The filter of  claim 1 , further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to an energy stimulus.  
     
     
         13 . The filter of  claim 1 , further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to a chemical stimulus.  
     
     
         14 . A filter for use in treating vascular disease comprising: 
 a plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements each having a superior end and an inferior end,    a plurality of orienting members secured to and extending from respective ones of the intraluminal filter elements,    a releasable retainer joining the superior ends in a filter configuration, and    wherein upon release of the releasable retainer the intraluminal filter elements convert to an open configuration.    
     
     
         15 . The filter of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of members joined to the intraluminal filter elements to restore the superior ends to an open configuration upon release of the retainer.  
     
     
         16 . The filter of  claim 14 , further comprising a filter web interconnecting the intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         17 . The filter of  claim 16 , where in the filter web extends between each adjacent intraluminal filter element.  
     
     
         18 . The filter of  claim 16 , wherein the filter web is formed integrally with the intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         19 . The filter of  claim 14 , wherein each orienting member is formed integrally with a respective intraluminal filter element.  
     
     
         20 . The filter of  claim 14 , wherein each orienting member comprises a portion of the respective intraluminal filter element extending substantially parallel to an axis of filtration.  
     
     
         21 . The filter of  claim 14 , wherein each orienting member comprises an elongate portion of the respective intraluminal filter element extending from the respective superior end and radially outwardly from the retainer.  
     
     
         22 . The filter of  claim 14 , wherein each orienting member comprises a loop extending between the inferior ends of adjacent intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         23 . The filter of  claim 14 , further comprising means for passively releasing the releasable retainer.  
     
     
         24 . The filter of  claim 14 , wherein the releasable retainer comprises a biodegradable material.  
     
     
         25 . The filter of  claim 14 , further comprising means for actively releasing the releasable retainer.  
     
     
         26 . The filter of  claim 14 , wherein the releasable retainer comprises a coupling formed with a plurality of catches, each of the catches respectively engaged with one of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         27 . The filter of  claim 14 , wherein the releasable retainer comprises a breakable band engaging each of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         28 . The filter of  claim 14 , further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to an energy stimulus.  
     
     
         29 . The filter of  claim 14 , further comprising means for releasing the releasable retainer responsive to a chemical stimulus.  
     
     
         30 . A filter for the treatment of vascular disease comprising: 
 a plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements each having a superior end and an inferior end,    a releasable retainer securing the intraluminal filter elements in a filter configuration, the releasable retainer being disposed at a location along the intraluminal filter elements between the superior and inferior ends, and    wherein upon release of the releasable retainer the intraluminal filter elements convert to an open configuration.    
     
     
         31 . The filter of  claim 30 , further comprising a first member secured to the intraluminal filter elements adjacent the superior ends for retaining the superior ends.  
     
     
         32 . The filter of  claim 31 , further comprising a second member secured to the intraluminal filter elements adjacent the inferior ends for retaining the inferior ends.  
     
     
         33 . The filter of  claim 30 , further comprising a filter web interconnecting the intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         34 . The filter of  claim 33 , wherein the filter web extends between each adjacent intraluminal filter element.  
     
     
         35 . The filter of  claim 33 , wherein the filter web is formed integrally with the intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         36 . A filter adapted for use in treating vascular disease, the filter comprising: 
 a plurality of interconnected intraluminal filter elements, the intraluminal filter elements each having a first end and a second end and arranged to be disposed in a basket-type configuration within the lumen of a blood vessel,    a releasable retainer joining the first ends and the second ends of each intraluminal filter element, and    wherein upon release of the releasable retainer the intraluminal filter elements convert to an open configuration.    
     
     
         37 . The filter of  claim 36 , further comprising a plurality of members joined to the plurality of intraluminal filter elements which upon release of the releasable retainer join the intraluminal filter elements in an open configuration.  
     
     
         38 . The filter of  claim 36 , further comprising a filter web interconnecting the intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         39 . The filter of  claim 38 , wherein the filter web extends between each adjacent intraluminal filter element.  
     
     
         40 . The filter of  claim 36 , wherein the releasable retainer comprises a first releasable retainer and a second releasable retainer.  
     
     
         41 . The filter of  claim 40 , further comprising means for releasing the first releasable retainer after a first predetermined time period and a means for releasing the second releasable retainer after a second predetermined time period.  
     
     
         42 . The filter of  claim 40 , wherein the first releasable retainer comprises a biodegradable material.  
     
     
         43 . The filter of  claim 40 , wherein the second releasable retainer comprises a biodegradable material.  
     
     
         44 . The filter of  claim 40 , wherein the first releasable retainer comprises a first biodegradable material and the second releasable retainer comprises a second biodegradable material.  
     
     
         45 . The filter of  claim 40 , wherein the first releasable retainer comprises a coupling formed with a plurality of catches, each of the catches respectively engaged with one of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         46 . The filter of  claim 40 , wherein the second releasable retainer comprises a coupling formed with a plurality of catches, each of the catches respectively engaged with one of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         47 . The filter of  claim 40 , wherein the first releasable retainer comprises a breakable band engaging each of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         48 . The filter of  claim 40 , wherein the second releasable retainer comprises a breakable band engaging each of the plurality of intraluminal filter elements.  
     
     
         49 . The filter of  claim 40 , further comprising means for releasing the first and second releasable retainers responsive to an energy stimulus.  
     
     
         50 . The filter of  claim 40 , further comprising means for releasing the second releasable retainer responsive to an energy stimulus.  
     
     
         51 . The filter of  claim 40 , further comprising means for releasing the first and second releasable retainers responsive to a chemical stimulus.  
     
     
         52 . The filter of  claim 40 , further comprising means for releasing the second releasable retainer responsive to a chemical stimulus.  
     
     
         53 . A method for treating atherosclerosis comprising the steps of: 
 operatively disposing a filter within an artery,    treating the artery to remove plaque from an interior wall thereof,    collecting embolic and plaque material in the filter,    removing embolic and plaque material collected within the filter, and    converting the filter, in situ, to an open configuration.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the step of converting comprises, actively releasing a retainer member securing the filter in the filter configuration.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the step of converting comprises, providing a passively releasable retainer securing the filter in the filter configuration.  
     
     
         56 . A method for treating vascular disease comprising the steps of: 
 operatively disposing a filter within a vessel,    treating the vascular disease,    collecting the biological debris in the filter,    removing the biological material from the filter, and    converting the filter, in situ, to an open configuration.    
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the step of converting comprises, actively releasing a retainer member securing the filter in the filter configuration.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the step of converting comprises, providing a passively releasable retainer securing the filter in the filter configuration.