Systems and methods for vascular filter retrieval

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for retrieving a vascular filter from a vessel are provided wherein a retrieval adapter is delivered to a treatment site concurrently along with an interventional device to reduce the number of steps required to remove the vascular filter. The retrieval adapter also reduces the possibility of entangling the vascular filter with a stent disposed within the vessel during removal of the vascular filter. A separate retrieval catheter is also described for use in conjunction with the retrieval adapter.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for use in conjunction with an interventional device in retrieving a vascular filter disposed on a guidewire from a vessel, the apparatus comprising: 
 a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen, the tubular body configured to be disposed on a distal region of the guidewire only so that the proximal end engages a distal end of the interventional device, the tubular body configured to receive at least a portion of the vascular filter within the lumen during retrieval of the vascular filter from the vessel.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tubular body comprises a biocompatible material.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tubular body comprises a radiopaque material.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the radiopaque material comprises a radiopaque coil embedded in the tubular body.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the proximal end is tapered to facilitate engagement with a distal end of the interventional device.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the tubular body is mounted on the distal end of the interventional device.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the proximal end abuts against the distal end of the interventional device.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the distal end of the tubular body includes at least one slit.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the distal end of the tubular body is perforated.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tubular body has a length less than about 50 mm.  
     
     
         11 . A system for retrieving a vascular filter comprising: 
 a guidewire having a distal end;    a vascular filter disposed on the guidewire adjacent the distal end of the guidewire;    an interventional device having a distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, the interventional device disposed on the guidewire proximally of the vascular filter; and    a retrieval adapter slidingly disposed on the guidewire and interposed between the vascular filter and the distal end of the interventional device.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the retrieval adapter includes a lumen adapted to receive at least a portion of the vascular filter.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the retrieval adapter comprises a biocompatible material.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the retrieval adapter comprises a radiopaque material.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the radiopaque material comprises a radiopaque coil embedded in the retrieval adapter.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the retrieval adapter further comprises a proximal region tapered to facilitate engagement with the distal end of the interventional device.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the retrieval adapter is configured to be mounted on the distal end of the interventional device.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11  wherein a distal end of the retrieval adapter includes at least one slit.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11  wherein a distal end of the retrieval adapter is perforated.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the retrieval adapter has a length of less than about 50 mm.  
     
     
         21 . A system for retrieving a vascular filter comprising: 
 a guidewire having a distal end;    a vascular filter disposed on the guidewire adjacent the distal end of the guidewire, the vascular filter comprising a suspension strut coupled to the guidewire, a support hoop coupled to the suspension strut, and a blood permeable sac coupled to the support hoop;    an interventional device having a distal end and a lumen extending therethrough, the interventional device disposed on the guidewire proximally of the vascular filter; and    a retrieval adapter slidingly disposed on the suspension strut.    
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the retrieval adapter includes a lumen adapted to receive at least a portion of the vascular filter.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the retrieval adapter comprises a biocompatible material.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the retrieval adapter comprises a radiopaque material.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21  wherein a distal end of the retrieval adapter is radially expandable.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising a safety device that inhibits inadvertent closing of the vascular filter.  
     
     
         27 . A method of retrieving a vascular filter comprising: 
 providing a guidewire, a vascular filter, an interventional device and a retrieval adapter;    deploying the vascular filter on the guidewire distal to a treatment site;    disposing a retrieval adapter on the guidewire in engagement with a distal end of the interventional device;    advancing the retrieval adapter and interventional device along the guidewire to the treatment site;    performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure at the treatment site using the interventional device; and    upon completion of the diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, advancing the interventional device distally along the guidewire so that the retrieval adapter captures the vascular filter.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein advancing the interventional device distally along the guidewire causes the vascular filter to be received at least partially within a lumen of the retrieval adapter.  
     
     
         29 . A method of retrieving a vascular filter comprising: 
 providing a guidewire, a vascular filter including a retrieval adapter and an interventional device;    deploying the vascular filter and retrieval adapter on the guidewire distal to a treatment site;    advancing the interventional device along the guidewire to the treatment site;    performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure at the treatment site using the interventional device;    upon completion of the diagnostic or therapeutic procedure, advancing the interventional device distally along the guidewire so that the interventional device abuts against the retrieval adapter; and    advancing the interventional device further distally along the guidewire so that the interventional device causes the retrieval adapter to capture the vascular filter.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein advancing the interventional device distally along the guidewire causes the vascular filter to be received at least partially within a lumen of the retrieval adapter.