Expandable emboli filter and thrombectomy device

Abstract

Expandable emboli filter and thrombectomy devices adapted for use with microcatheters to remove debris from blood vessels. The devices embody expanded profiles that span the entirety of various sized target vessels and thus are particularly effective in the engagement of debris found in vessels.

1 - 32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . An embolic filtering device for capturing embolic debris from the body fluid flowing in a body vessel, comprising: 
 an elongate member having a distal end portion;    a loop extending from the distal end portion of the elongate member, the loop being movable between a pre-deployment collapsed position and a deployed expanded position in which the loop assumes a specific per-formed shape;    a filter coupled to the loop; and    a generally elongate microcatheter having an internal bore, the microcatheter adapted to receive the elongate member and at least a portion of the loop and filter within the internal bore.    
   
   
       34 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 33  wherein the loop expands at a generally perpendicular angle to the elongate member when deployed from the microcatheter.  
   
   
       35 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 33 , wherein the loop assumes a generally circular pre-formed shape when placed in the deployed expanded position.  
   
   
       36 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 33 , wherein the loop is self-expanding.  
   
   
       37 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 33 , wherein the loop assumes a generally circular pre-formed shape generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member when placed in the deployed expanded position.  
   
   
       38 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 33 , wherein the loop assumes a generally circular pre-formed shape generally at an acute or obtuse angle with perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member when placed in the deployed expanded position.  
   
   
       39 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 33 , wherein the loop is self-expanding and generally conforms to the shape of the inside circumference of the body vessel.  
   
   
       40 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 37 , wherein the elongate member and microcatheter assume a position contacting the wall of the body vessel when the loop is placed in the deployed expanded position.  
   
   
       41 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 33 , wherein the loop expands the entirety of the circumference of the body vessel when placed in the deployed expanded position.  
   
   
       42 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 33 , the filter includes a plurality of mini-loops, the mini-loops adapted for receiving a portion of the loop.  
   
   
       43 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 33 , the filter further comprising a plurality of proximally extending members, the proximally extending members adapted for receiving at least a portion of the loop.  
   
   
       44 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 33 , wherein the loop expands the entirety of the circumference of the body vessel when placed in the deployed expanded position.  
   
   
       45 . An embolic filtering device for capturing embolic debris from the body fluid flowing in a body vessel, comprising: 
 an elongate member having a distal end portion;    a loop coupled to the distal end portion of the elongate member, the loop being movable between a pre-deployment collapsed position and a deployed expanded position in which the loop assumes a specific per-formed shape;    a filter coupled to the loop; and    a microcatheter having an internal bore, the microcatheter adapted to receive the elongate member, loop and filter within the internal bore, the microcatheter having an small outer diameter which allows the microcatheter to remain in the body vessel while the filter device.    
   
   
       46 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 45 , wherein the loop expands at a generally perpendicular angle to the elongate member when deployed from the microcatheter.  
   
   
       47 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 45 , wherein the loop assumes a generally circular pre-formed shape when placed in the deployed expanded position.  
   
   
       48 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 45 , wherein the loop is self-expanding.  
   
   
       49 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 45 , wherein the loop assumes a generally circular pre-formed shape generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member when placed in the deployed expanded position.  
   
   
       50 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 45 , wherein the loop assumes a generally circular pre-formed shape generally at an acute or obtuse angle with perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member when placed in the deployed expanded position.  
   
   
       51 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 45 , wherein the microcatheter is steerable into the body vessel.  
   
   
       52 . A method for capturing embolic debris in the body fluid flowing in a body vessel, comprising: 
 providing a filtering device having an elongate member having a distal end portion, a loop extending from the distal end portion of the elongate member, the loop being movable between a pre-deployment collapsed position and a deployed expanded position in which the loop assumes a specific per-formed shape, a filter coupled to the loop and a generally elongate microcatheter having an internal bore, the microcatheter adapted to receive the elongate member and at least a portion of the loop and filter within the internal bore;    introducing the filtering device into the body vessel while the loop is restrained in the pre-deployment collapsed position;    placing the loop into the deployed expanded position;    filtering embolic debris from the body fluid flowing in the body vessel; and    moving the loop at least partial back into the pre-deployment collapsed position; and    removing the filtering device from the body lumen.