Patent ID: 7967747
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A filter apparatus for use in a body vessel lumen having a wall, comprising: a first elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; and a second elongate member having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the first elongate member at the distal end; wherein the second elongate member is a wire including a plurality of closed connectors each disposed at spaced-apart intervals of the second elongate member and each slidably disposed on the first elongate member; wherein each of the plurality of closed connectors are formed as loops of the wire, each loop having a first portion, a second portion, and a joining portion connecting the first portion to the second portion, wherein the first portion is secured to the second portion opposite the joining portion to enclose the first elongate member therein; wherein the plurality of closed connectors includes a first connector, a third connector, and a the second connector disposed between the first connector and the third connector; wherein the second elongate member is movable between a first elongate configuration where the connectors are at a first average distance apart from each other and a second filtering configuration where the connectors are disposed proximate the distal end of the first elongate member at a second average distance apart less than the first; wherein the second elongate member forms a first loop between the first connector and the second connector when the second elongate member is in the second filtering configuration; wherein the second elongate member forms a second loop between the second connector and the third connector when the second elongate member is in the second filtering configuration; wherein the first loop and the second loop each have a first section, a second section, and a joining section connecting the first section to the second section; wherein the first sections and the second sections of the first and second loops are configured to radiate outwardly and proximally from proximate the distal end of the first elongate member to form a generally cone-shaped filter; wherein the joining sections of the first and second loops are disposed proximal of the first and second sections of their respective loops; wherein the first loop radiates outwardly from the first elongate member at a first polar angle when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the first elongate member from the distal end, and the second loop radiates outwardly from the first elongate member at a second polar angle when viewed along the longitudinal axis from the distal end, the first polar angle being different from the second polar angle.