Patent ID: 6520978
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An emboli filter for deployment in a body lumen, said emboli filter comprising:a flexible elongated member sized to be passed through said lumen, said elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end; a filter media carried on and substantially surrounding said elongated member, said filter media having a first end and a second end, said first end secured to said elongated member adjacent said distal end, said second end having a periphery movable toward and away from said elongated member, opposing internal surfaces of said filter media defining a volume into which emboli may flow through said second end when said periphery is moved away from said elongated member, said emboli trapped within said volume when said periphery is moved toward said elongated member; an actuator for selectively moving said periphery toward and away from said elongated member, said actuator including a plurality of elastic loops, each of said loops having a first end and a second end, each of said first and second ends being attached to said elongated member, said first end being attached adjacent to said second end, said loops biased to an open loop configuration with said loops urging said periphery away from said elongated member, said actuator adapted to be manipulated by an operator to urge said loops against said bias to a closed position permitting movement of said periphery toward said elongated member without interference from said loops.