Patent ID: 6193739
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A blood filter assembly comprising:(a) a filter portion having a general axis and first and second ends along said axis, said filter portion including a head and plurality of legs connected to the head so that the filter portion is adapted to occupy a first radially restrained state, for the implantation of the filter portion in a blood vessel, or a second radially partially expanded state, when temporarily implanted in said blood vessel, or a third radially completely expanded state, when indefinitely implanted in the blood vessel, the legs having a first part provided with securing means for fixing the filter portion to the wall of the blood vessel, in the indefinite implantation state only, and a second part which is not provided with any securing means, the securing means being arranged at a distance from both ends of the filter portion, so that:in the temporary implantation state of the filter portion, said securing means are not in contact with the wall of the blood vessel while the second part of each leg is in contact with the blood vessel wall so that the filter portion performs a filtering action in the blood vessel for a temporary use therein, and;in the indefinite implantation state of the filter portion, said securing means are in contact with the wall of the blood vessel while the filter portion performs a filtering action in the blood vessel for an indefinite use therein;(b) an implantation portion including:a sleeve for removably enclosing the filter portion in the radially restrained state,a maneuvering flexible rod having an end, said end of the rod being engaged with a confronting end of the head of the filter portion to complete a releasable connection between the flexible rod and the filter portion, for displacing the filter portion between the sleeve and the blood vessel,the connection existing when the filter portion is temporarily implanted in the vessel, permitting axial displacement of the filter portion in axially opposite directions within the sleeve, and the connection being completely released during indefinite implantation of the filter portion in said vessel,the securing means being disposed inside the sleeve in the first radially restrained state and in the second radially partially expanded state, andin the second radially partially expanded state, or between the second and third states, the connection between the flexible rod and the head of the filter portion being adapted for allowing said connection to be maintained even when the head of the filter portion is located outside the sleeve.