Filter delivery and retrieval device

Abstract

Methods and devices for providing temporary placement of a filter in a blood vessel are disclosed. A filter delivery system in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a catheter having an elongate shaft and a tubular member disposed within a shaft lumen defined by the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft also includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall defining the shaft lumen. The tubular member has a first end fixed to the wall of the elongate shaft, and a second end disposed within the shaft lumen. The tubular member defines a guidewire lumen that is in fluid communication with a distal guidewire port defined by the second end of the tubular member. The catheter also includes a proximal guidewire port extending through the wall of the elongate shaft. A filter may be disposed within a distal portion of the shaft lumen. A distal end of a guidewire is fixed to the filter. The guidewire preferably extends through the distal guidewire port, the guidewire lumen, and the proximal guidewire port.

1 . A filter retrieval system comprising: 
 an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall defining a shaft lumen;    a proximal guidewire port disposed distal of the proximal end of the elongate shaft;    a distal tip disposed near the distal end of the elongate shaft, the distal tip having an aperture defining a distal guidewire port;    a tubular member having a first end fixed to the proximal guidewire port, a second end fixed to the distal tip, and a longitudinally collapsible region therebetween, the tubular member defining a guidewire lumen;    a guidewire extending through the distal guidewire port and the proximal guidewire port; and    a filter disposed on the guidewire.    
   
   
       2 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 1  wherein the longitudinally collapsible region has an extended state and a contracted state.  
   
   
       3 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 2  wherein the distal tip is movable relative to the elongate shaft.  
   
   
       4 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 3  wherein the distal tip moves between an extended position and a retracted position.  
   
   
       5 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 4  wherein the distal tip is in the extended position when the longitudinally collapsible region is in the extended state.  
   
   
       6 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 4  wherein the distal tip is in the retracted position when the longitudinally collapsible region is in the contracted state.  
   
   
       7 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 1  further comprising a wire gripper.  
   
   
       8 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 7  wherein the wire gripper includes a plurality of jaws for grasping the guidewire.  
   
   
       9 . A filter retrieval system comprising: 
 a catheter including an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall defining a shaft lumen;    a proximal guidewire port disposed distal of the proximal end of the elongate shaft;    a generally conical tip slidingly disposed within the distal end of the elongate shaft, the distal tip having an aperture defining a distal guidewire port;    a tubular member having a first end fixed to the proximal guidewire port, a second end fixed to the distal tip, and a longitudinally collapsible region therebetween, the tubular member defining a guidewire lumen;    a guidewire extending through the distal guidewire port and the proximal guidewire port; and    a filter disposed on the guidewire.    
   
   
       10 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 9  wherein the longitudinally collapsible region has an extended state and a contracted state.  
   
   
       11 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 10  wherein the distal tip is movable relative to the elongate shaft.  
   
   
       12 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 11  wherein the distal tip moves between an extended position and a retracted position.  
   
   
       13 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 12  wherein the distal tip is in the extended position when the longitudinally collapsible region is in the extended state.  
   
   
       14 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 12  wherein the distal tip is in the retracted position when the longitudinally collapsible region is in the contracted state.  
   
   
       15 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 9  further comprising a wire gripper.  
   
   
       16 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 15  wherein the wire gripper includes a plurality of jaws for grasping the guidewire.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the generally conical tip includes a flexible tip member.  
   
   
       18 . A filter system comprising: 
 an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a wall defining a shaft lumen;    a proximal guidewire port disposed distal of the proximal end of the elongate shaft;    a tubular member having a first end fixed to the proximal guidewire port, a second end near the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a longitudinally collapsible region therebetween, the tubular member defining a guidewire lumen;    a guidewire extending through the guidewire lumen; and    a filter disposed on the guidewire.    
   
   
       19 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 18  wherein the longitudinally collapsible region has an extended state and a contracted state.  
   
   
       20 . The filter retrieval system of  claim 19  wherein the filter is within the shaft lumen when the longitudinally collapsible region is in the contracted state and the filter is deployed from the shaft when the longitudinally collapsible region is in the extended state.