Patent Description:
A number of endovascular procedures are presently performed on patients with atherosclerotic disease and the like to treat stenotic or occluded regions within the patient's blood vessels, such as the peripheral, coronary, carotid, or cerebral arteries or veins. For example, an angioplasty procedure may be used to dilate a stenosis, or an atherectomy and/or thrombectomy may be performed to open occluded regions. A stent or other prosthesis may be implanted to retain patency of a vessel, either alone or in conjunction with these procedures. Furthermore, a therapeutic agent may be delivered to the treatment site within a blood vessel, as desired.

One of the problems with such procedures, however, is that embolic material may be released during the procedure, and travel downstream where it may become lodged creating an embolism, such as arterial or venous embolisms, or otherwise cause harm to the patient. For example, ischemic stroke may occur when such emboli are released and travel to the patient's brain. For another example, pulmonary embolism may occur when such emboli are released and travel to the patient's lungs. A continuing need exists for improved vascular devices and methods for use in conjunction with vascular surgery. For example, there is a need for improved vascular devices that may be deployed to capture and remove embolic material from the body. There is also need for improved vascular devices that may be deployed to isolate therapeutic agents within a treatment area, and selectively allow for the removal of the therapeutic agents from the isolated treatment area, while reducing downstream and/or systematic dispersion of the therapeutic agents within the patient's body.

<CIT> discloses indwelling temporary inferior vena cava filter systems. Such filter systems provide for easy removal of the filter without the need for additional invasive procedures and provide for dissolution and aspiration of captured emboli. Methods of using such systems for the dissolution, capture and removal of emboli are described.

<CIT> discloses an embolic material blocking catheter that includes a handle assembly, an elongated element having a lumen, and a deployable embolic material blocking element.

The disclosure is directed to several alternative designs, materials and methods of manufacturing medical device structures and assemblies, and uses thereof.

A medical device is disclosed. The medical device comprises an elongate tubular member having a distal portion and a distal end, a proximal portion and a proximal end, and defining a tube lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end. An expandable member is disposed on the distal portion of the elongate tubular member and extends distally beyond the distal end. The expandable member defines an expandable member lumen that is in fluid communication with the tube lumen. The expandable member is configured to expand from a collapsed delivery configuration to a distally-open expanded configuration. A valve member is in fluid communication with the tube lumen, the valve member configured to selectively block and selectively allow for flow through the tube lumen.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the expandable member is biased to the distally-open expanded configuration.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the medical device further includes an outer tubular member movable between an extended position in which the outer tubular member extends over the expandable member and maintains the expandable member in the collapsed delivery configuration, and a retracted position in which the outer tubular member is proximal of the expandable member, permitting the expandable member to expand into the distally-open expanded configuration.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the expandable member includes a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein when the expandable member is in the expanded configuration, the distal end of the expandable member has an outer diameter that is greater than an outer dimeter of the proximal end of the expandable member.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the expandable member includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end of the expandable member defines a distal opening into the expandable member lumen, and the distal opening is smaller when the expandable member is in the collapsed delivery configuration than when in the expanded configuration.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the expandable member includes a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein when the expandable member is in the distally-open expanded configuration, the expandable member tapers from a wider diameter portion near the distal end to a narrower diameter portion near the proximal end.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the expandable member, when in the distally-open expanded configuration, is configured to funnel embolic material into the tube lumen.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the expandable member is configured to at least partially allow fluid to flow there through while filtering embolic material from the fluid.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the expandable member is configured to stop fluid flow there through when deployed.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the expandable member includes a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the expandable member is attached to the distal end of the elongate tubular member.

A medical device comprising an elongate tubular member defining a tube lumen. An expandable member is disposed on a distal portion of the elongate tubular member, and extends distally beyond a distal end of the elongate tubular member. The expandable member is configured to expand from a collapsed delivery configuration to a distally-open expanded configuration, wherein when in the distally-open expanded configuration the expandable member defines a funnel configured to direct material into the tube lumen.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, further including a valve member disposed on a proximal portion of the elongate tubular member, the valve member configured to selectively block and selectively allow for flow through the tube lumen.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, further including an outer tubular member movable first position in which the outer tubular member extends over the expandable member and maintains the expandable member in the collapsed delivery configuration, and a second position in which the outer tubular member is removed from the expandable member, permitting the expandable member to expand into the expanded configuration.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the expandable member is configured to at least partially allow flow of fluid there through while filtering embolic material.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the expandable member is configured block fluid flow there through when deployed.

A method of treatment is disclosed. The method comprising introducing a medical device into a blood vessel of a patient, the medical device including: an elongate tubular member having a distal portion and a distal end, a proximal portion and a proximal end, and defining a tube lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end; an expandable member disposed on the distal portion of the elongate tubular member and extending distally beyond the distal end, the expandable member defining an expandable member lumen that is in fluid communication with the tube lumen, the expandable member being configured to expand from a collapsed delivery configuration to a distally-open expanded configuration; and a valve member disposed on the proximal portion of the elongate tubular member, the valve member configured to selectively block and selectively allow for flow through the tube lumen. The method further including advancing the medical device, with the expandable member in the collapsed delivery configuration, through the vessel in a retrograde direction to a position downstream of a treatment site; and expanding the expandable member from the collapsed delivery configuration to the distally-open expanded configuration.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the method further including, performing a procedure at the treatment site.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein the procedure includes one or more of angioplasty, atherectopmy, thrombectomy, stent deployment, and therapeutic agent delivery.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the method further including, opening the valve member to allow for flow from the blood vessel through the tube lumen.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, wherein expanding the expandable member includes establishing apposition of at least a portion of the expandable member with a wall of the blood vessel.

The above summary of some embodiments, aspects, and/or examples is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in greater detail below. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention.

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to a position or location relative to the direction of fluid flow, such as blood flow, through a particular element or location, such as a vessel (e.g. an artery or a vein), a treatment site, and the like.

The term "retrograde" when referring to the advancement of a device within a blood vessel means the device is being advanced in a direction that is against the normal direction of blood flow within the vessel.

Weight percent, percent by weight, wt%, wt-%, % by weight, and the like are synonyms that refer to the concentration of a substance as the weight of that substance divided by the weight of the composition and multiplied by <NUM>.

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout several views. The detailed description and drawings are intended to illustrate but not limit the claimed invention.

Some embodiments relate to a percutaneously-deployable medical device that may be employed downstream of a treatment site within a body lumen and may allow for selective removal and/or draining of fluid and/or material from a body lumen. For example, the medical device may be deployed when there is a concern with embolic material being released from the treatment site. For another example, the medical device may be deployed when there is a desire to isolate materials, such as therapeutic agents, within an isolated portion of the body lumen including the treatment site. The medical device may include an expandable portion that may establish apposition with a body lumen wall, and a lumen in fluid communication with the expandable portion that may allow for selective removal and/or draining of fluid and/or material from the body lumen while the device is deployed. The medical device may be introduced into the body lumen and advanced through a body lumen in a retrograde direction in a collapsed delivery configuration, with or without the aid of a separate delivery catheter or device. The expandable portion of the medical device may then be deployed to an expanded configuration downstream of the treatment site, and may establish apposition with the wall of the body lumen. Then, one or more of several functions or events may occur. For example, the medical device may be used as a downstream embolic protection filter and/or drain while a procedure is performed at the treatment site. In some embodiments, the expandable portion may include a filter that is permeable to fluid, thereby allowing for perfusion of blood and other fluids there through, while collecting embolic material, and selectively allowing for the draining of fluid and embolic material from the patient. In other embodiments, the filter may be impermeable to fluid, and act as a blocking member to isolate the area being treated, while selectively allowing for the draining of fluid and/or material from the patient.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an example medical device system <NUM> including an example medical device <NUM>, and <FIG> shows a cross section of a distal portion of the medical device <NUM>. The medical device <NUM> may comprise an elongated tubular member <NUM> having a distal portion <NUM> and a distal end <NUM>, a proximal portion <NUM> and a proximal end <NUM>, and defining a tube lumen <NUM> extending from the distal end <NUM> to the proximal end <NUM>. The distal portion <NUM> may have a size and shape for facilitating insertion within a body lumen, for example, a blood vessel. The medical device <NUM> may include an expandable member <NUM> disposed on the distal portion <NUM> of the elongate tubular member <NUM>. The expandable member <NUM> defines an expandable member lumen <NUM> that is in fluid communication with the tube lumen <NUM>. The expandable member <NUM> includes a distal end <NUM> and a proximal end <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of the expandable member <NUM> defines a distal mouth or opening <NUM> into the expandable member lumen <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM> of the expandable member <NUM> defines a proximal opening <NUM>, which is in fluid communication with both the expandable member lumen <NUM> and an opening <NUM> defined in the distal end <NUM> of the elongated tubular member <NUM>. As such, fluid and/or material may flow through the distal opening <NUM> into the expandable member lumen <NUM> and through the proximal opening <NUM> into the tube lumen <NUM>.

The proximal end <NUM> of the expandable member <NUM> is coupled to the distal portion <NUM> of the elongate tubular member <NUM>. The expandable member <NUM> may extend distally beyond the distal end <NUM> of the elongate tubular member <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM> of the expandable member <NUM> may be coupled to the outer surface of the distal portion <NUM>. Alternatively, or additionally, the proximal end <NUM> of the expandable member <NUM> may be coupled to inner surface (e.g. in the lumen <NUM>) of the distal portion <NUM>. In yet further embodiments, the proximal end <NUM> of the expandable member <NUM> extends into the wall of the distal portion <NUM> of the tubular member <NUM>, and is thereby attached thereto. In some cases the expandable member <NUM> is a separate component from the tubular member <NUM>, and is attached to the tubular member <NUM> using a suitable attachment technique, such as adhesive bonding, welding, soldering, brazing, molding, bonding, extruding, heat shrinking, such as using a heat shrink tubing, or the like, or others. In some cases, the expandable member <NUM> is a part of and/or is a component of the tubular member <NUM>, and as such, is an extension of the tubular member <NUM> that may be expandable relative to a remainder of the tubular member <NUM>.

The expandable member <NUM> is configured to expand (e.g. selectively expand) from a collapsed delivery configuration to a distally-open expanded configuration. An example expandable member <NUM> is shown in a collapsed delivery configuration in <FIG>, which will be discussed in more detail below. When in the collapsed delivery configuration, the expandable member <NUM>, or at least a portion thereof, has a smaller dimension than when in the distally-open expanded configuration. In the collapsed delivery configuration, the expandable member <NUM> may be configured for delivery and advancement within a body lumen, such as a blood vessel. In some embodiments, the expandable member <NUM> in the collapsed delivery configuration may have an outer diameter along its length that may be generally equal to or less than an outer diameter of the elongate tubular member <NUM>.

<FIG> show the example expandable member <NUM> in the distally-open expanded configuration. When in the distally-open expanded configuration, the expandable member <NUM>, or at least a portion thereof, has a larger dimension than when in the collapsed delivery configuration. When in the distally-open expanded configuration the expandable member <NUM> may be configured to establish apposition with the wall of the body lumen in which the device is used, such as the wall of a blood vessel. As such, when in the expanded configuration, at least a portion of the expandable member <NUM> may include a diameter that is the same as or larger than the lumen diameter of the body lumen in which the device is used, such as a blood vessel.

Additionally, the expandable member <NUM>, when in the distally-open expanded configuration, may be configured to funnel or direct material, such as fluid, blood, and/or embolic material, from the body lumen into the tube lumen <NUM>. In general, when in the expanded configuration, the expandable member <NUM> forms a distally-opening structure generally expanding radially from an outer diameter of the elongate tubular member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the expandable member <NUM> achieves its greatest diameter and/or outer extent at the distal end <NUM> in the expanded configuration.

For example, when the expandable member <NUM> is in the distally-open expanded configuration, the expandable member <NUM> may taper from a larger diameter distal portion to a smaller diameter proximal portion. When in the expanded configuration, the expandable member <NUM> may have at least a part thereof that defines a shape which may be generally described as a truncated cone, including a first smaller diameter (inner and/or outer diameter) near the proximal end <NUM>, and a second larger diameter (inner and/or outer diameter) near the distal end <NUM>. For example, the diameter of the lumen <NUM> may taper from larger near the distal end <NUM> to smaller near the proximal end <NUM> and/or the outer diameter of the expandable member <NUM> may taper from larger near the distal end <NUM> to smaller near the proximal end <NUM>. In some embodiments, the outer diameter near the proximal end <NUM> may be the same or similar to the outer diameter of the elongate tubular member <NUM>. Also, in some cases, the diameter of the lumen <NUM> near the proximal end <NUM> may be the same or similar to the diameter of the tube lumen <NUM>. As can be appreciated, when the expandable member <NUM> is in the expanded configuration, the distal mouth or opening <NUM> into the expandable member lumen <NUM> may be larger than the proximal opening <NUM>.

As can also be appreciated, the distal end <NUM> and/or distal opening <NUM> may have a first outer diameter in the collapsed delivery configuration and a second outer diameter in the expanded configuration. The distal end <NUM> and/or distal opening <NUM> will generally be smaller in the collapsed delivery configuration than when in the expanded configuration.

In some embodiments, a medical device <NUM> may include an outer tubular member <NUM> disposed about the elongate tubular member <NUM>. The outer tubular member <NUM> includes a distal end <NUM> and a proximal end <NUM>, and defines a lumen <NUM> extending from the proximal to the distal end. In some embodiments, the proximal end <NUM> may include a finger grip or handle, or the like, to facilitate engagement and use by an operator. The distal portion of the outer tubular member <NUM> may have a size and shape for facilitating insertion within a body lumen, for example, a blood vessel. The lumen <NUM> may include a diameter that is generally equal to or greater than an outer diameter of the elongate tubular member <NUM>. Additionally, the lumen <NUM> has a diameter for slidably receiving the expandable member <NUM> in its collapsed configuration there through. Alternatively, the lumen <NUM> may have an enlarged distal region (not shown) for receiving the expandable member <NUM> therein proximate the distal end of the lumen <NUM>, and a narrow proximal region (also not shown) for receiving the elongate tubular member <NUM> there through.

As can be appreciated in <FIG>, which will be discussed in more detail below, the outer tubular member <NUM> may be configured to axially move and/or longitudinally translate relative to the elongate tubular member <NUM>, between an extended position in which the outer tubular member <NUM> extends over the expandable member <NUM> and maintains the expandable member <NUM> in the collapsed delivery configuration, and a retracted position in which the outer tubular member <NUM> is proximal of the expandable member <NUM>, permitting the expandable member <NUM> to expand into the expanded configuration. As shown in <FIG>, in the collapsed delivery configuration, the expandable member <NUM> may have an outer diameter along its length that may be generally equal to or smaller than an inner diameter (lumen <NUM> diameter) of the distal portion of the outer tubular member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the outer tubular member <NUM> may include or be used as a delivery sheath and/or a retrieval sheath for the expandable member <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tubular member <NUM> may take the form of a catheter, sheath, hypotube, endoscope, or other tubular medical device suitable for the intended use.

The expandable member <NUM>, or portions thereof, may be biased and/or self-biased and/or self-expanding into the distally open expanded configuration. For example, the expandable member <NUM>, or portions thereof, when not constrained in the collapsed condition, will automatically expand to the distally open expanded configuration. In the relaxed and/or unconstrained state, the expandable member <NUM> may be biased to the distally open expanded configuration. The expandable member <NUM> may assume the collapsed delivery configuration when urged, for example, into the lumen <NUM> of the outer tubular member <NUM>, but will automatically expand to the distally open expanded configuration when extended out of the lumen <NUM>. In some cases, expandable member <NUM>, or portions thereof, may include elastic and/or super-elastic material that may be deformed from the distally open expanded configuration, but that can elastically recover to the distally open expanded configuration when released.

However, other embodiments are contemplated where other mechanisms of expansion of the expandable member <NUM> are contemplated. For example, expandable member <NUM> may be balloon expandable from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. In some contemplated embodiments, a separate balloon catheter could be inserted through the medical device <NUM>, and inflated under the expandable member <NUM> to achieve expansion thereof. In some embodiments, an inflatable structure may be incorporated into the structure of the expandable member itself, and inflation of such a structure would achieve expansion of the expandable member. Furthermore, systems including one or more pull wires, tethers, and the like are also contemplated to achieve expansion of the expandable member. In some contemplated embodiments, the expandable member <NUM> may be made of, or include, a shape-memory material, such as a shape memory polymer or shape memory metal, and expansion could be achieved through the application of a temperature change or electrical current to the material. A wide variety of other devices and mechanisms generally known to provide for expansion of a medical device component are also contemplated for use in providing for expansion of the expandable member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the expandable member <NUM> may include and/or be made of an expandable frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may comprise a plurality of struts, splines, rings, wires, filaments, mesh and/or a solid bolus and/or sheet of material. For example, in some embodiments, the expandable frame <NUM> may include an expandable tubular structure cut from a tubular monolith of material to form struts, akin to a self-expanding stent structure. In some embodiments, the expandable frame <NUM> may include one or more wires or filaments or hoops attached together to form an expandable structure. In some embodiments, the expandable frame may include an expandable mesh and/or an expandable sheet of material, or the like.

In some cases the expandable member <NUM> and/or the expandable frame <NUM> may include a plurality of apertures <NUM> defined there through. The plurality of apertures <NUM> may facilitate perfusion blood flow through the expandable member <NUM> while allowing the capturing and/or filtering of material larger than the apertures. For example, the expandable member <NUM> and/or the expandable frame <NUM> may be configured to filter embolic debris while permitting the perfusion of blood there through. In other embodiments, however, the expandable member <NUM> and/or the expandable frame <NUM> may not include any apertures, but rather, may form a solid occlusion member and/or blocking member and/or funnel member to effectively prevent the downstream flow of fluid, such as blood or therapeutic agents, when deployed.

Alternatively, or additionally, the frame <NUM> may act as a support structure for a permeable or non-permeable layer or membrane. For example, with reference to <FIG>, the expandable member <NUM> may include a layer or membrane <NUM> of material attached to the frame <NUM>. The membrane <NUM> may be a permeable membrane having a plurality of openings or pores there through. The plurality of openings or pores through the membrane <NUM> may facilitate perfusion blood flow through the membrane <NUM> while capturing and/or filtering material larger than the openings or pores. For example, membrane may have a pore size in the range of about <NUM>-<NUM>, which may be used to capture embolic material that is large enough to cause substantial risk of harm to the patient, yet still allow for adequate perfusion. However, the size of the openings or pores can vary as desired, depending upon the desired function of the expandable member. The membrane <NUM> may be a polymeric sheet, such as polyethylene, with holes or pores provided therein, for example, by drilling, or a thin metal sheet with holes or pores provided therein, for example, by laser drilling. In other embodiments, the membrane <NUM> may not be permeable, and may not include any openings or pores there through, and as such, may form a solid occlusion member and/or blocking member and/or funnel member to effectively prevent the downstream flow of fluid when the expandable member <NUM> is deployed. The membrane <NUM> may be connected to the frame as desired, with some examples including adhesively bonding, tethering, sewing, soldering, welding, brazing, and the like.

While not expressly illustrated, the expandable member <NUM> may further include a soft, flexible, and/or stretchable/expandable ring disposed on and/or about the exterior surface on or near the distal end <NUM> thereof. The ring may provide a sealing member and/or cushion against the wall of the vessel to reduce irritation or abrasion of the inner surface of the vessel wall as well as prevent the leakage of blood and/or embolic material around the expandable member <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the medical device <NUM> further includes a valve member <NUM>, such as a stop cock, in fluid communication with the tube lumen <NUM>. The valve member <NUM> is configured to selectively block and selectively allow for flow through the tube lumen <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the valve member <NUM> is disposed on the proximal portion <NUM> of the elongate tubular member <NUM>. In other embodiments, the valve member may be disposed at other locations, for example further downstream in the system, or more distally on the tubular member <NUM>. In this particular embodiment, the valve member <NUM> is part of a hub assembly <NUM> attached to the proximal end <NUM> of the elongate tubular member <NUM>. The hub assembly <NUM> may also include a drain port <NUM> in selective fluid communication with the tube lumen <NUM> through the valve member <NUM>. A drain tube <NUM> may be part of the system, and may be connected to the drain port <NUM>, leading to a collection and/or storage device <NUM>, such as a bag, bottle, or the like. When the valve member <NUM> is open, it may allow for fluid and/or material to flow through the medical device <NUM> and ultimately into the storage device <NUM> of the system <NUM>. For example, fluid and/or material may selectively flow through the expandable member lumen <NUM>, through the tube lumen <NUM>, through the hub assembly <NUM> including the valve member <NUM>, through the drain port <NUM>, through the drain tube <NUM> and into the storage device <NUM>.

The example embodiment shown also includes an additional valve member <NUM> disposed between the drain tube <NUM> and the storage device <NUM>. This additional valve member <NUM> may be configured to selectively block and selectively allow for flow from the drain tube <NUM> into the storage device <NUM>. This may be closed to allow the storage device <NUM> to be removed and/or changed and/or emptied, while reducing the risk of fluid leaking. Additionally, in some embodiments, because the valve member <NUM> is in fluid communication with the tube lumen <NUM>, it may also be used to selectively block and/or selectively allow for flow through the tube lumen <NUM>, as desired.

The hub assembly <NUM> may include other structures and/or devices that allow for access to the tube lumen <NUM>. For example, the hub assembly <NUM> may include a port <NUM> that may be designed to facilitate introduction of a device <NUM> into the tube lumen <NUM>. The port <NUM> may include a seal member <NUM>, such as a Tuohy Borst adapter, to help manage fluid backflow while still allowing device access to the lumen <NUM>. The device <NUM> may include any device suitable for use in the particular procedure being performed, and may be included in the system <NUM>. Some example devices may include a guidewire; a catheter, such as a guide catheter, a balloon catheter, a stent delivery catheter, a therapeutic agent delivery catheter, or the like; an atherectomy device; a thrombectomy device; or the like, or any other devices that may be desired and configured for insertion through the lumen <NUM>. Such devices may be used in providing a treatment to the patient, for example, at the treatment site upstream of the deployed expandable member <NUM>. Alternatively, such devices may be used to loosen and/or unclog material that may get stuck within the lumen <NUM>.

Alternatively, or in addition, the hub assembly <NUM> may include a port <NUM> that may be designed to facilitate introduction of and/or aspiration of a fluid or material to or from the lumen <NUM>. The port <NUM> may include a fitting <NUM>, such as a luer fitting and/or adapter, or the like, configured to mate with a fluid delivery or aspiration source, and to help manage fluid leakage, while still allowing fluid access to the lumen <NUM>. A fluid delivery and/or aspiration device <NUM>, such as a syringe, or the like, may also be included with the system <NUM>. Such a device <NUM> may be used, for example, to provide aspiration and/or suction to the lumen <NUM> to help loosen and/or unclog material that may get stuck within the lumen <NUM>. Further, such a device <NUM> may be used, for example, to provide and/or deliver a fluid or material to the body lumen, such as therapeutic agents, marker material, saline, or the like.

Referring now to <FIG>, one example of use of the example medical device <NUM> will be described. As seen in <FIG>, the medical device <NUM> may be introduced into a body lumen of a patient, such as a blood vessel <NUM> of a patient, and advanced in a collapsed delivery configuration in a retrograde direction in the body lumen to a position downstream of a treatment site <NUM>. In this particular example, the expandable member <NUM> is self-expanding, and the outer tubular member <NUM> is used as a delivery sheath and/or a retrieval sheath for the expandable member <NUM>. In <FIG>, the outer tubular member <NUM> is in an extended position in which the outer tubular member <NUM> extends over the expandable member <NUM> and maintains the expandable member <NUM> in the collapsed delivery configuration. The medical device <NUM> may be introduced and advanced with or without the aid of a separate delivery catheter or device, such as a separate introducer sheath (not shown), a guide catheter (not shown), a guidewire (not shown), or the like. Once the medical device <NUM> is positioned as desired downstream of the treatment site <NUM>, the expandable member <NUM> may then be deployed.

In <FIG>, the expandable member <NUM> has been partially deployed by moving the outer tubular member <NUM>, or deployment sheath, in a proximal direction relative to the expandable member <NUM> and/or elongate tubular member <NUM>. Because the expandable member <NUM> is self-expanding in this example, once unconstrained, the expandable member <NUM> will automatically begin to expand from a collapsed delivery configuration to a distally-open expanded configuration. As can be seen, a distal end region of the expandable member <NUM> begins to expand as the distal end region of the expandable member <NUM> is no longer constrained by the outer tubular member <NUM>, and is shown partially deployed.

<FIG> shows the outer tubular member <NUM> moved to a fully retracted position, where the tubular member <NUM> is proximal of the expandable member <NUM>, permitting the expandable member <NUM> to expand into the expanded configuration. When expanded, the expandable member <NUM> may establish apposition with a wall of the blood vessel <NUM>. As such, in the distally open expanded configuration, the expandable member <NUM> may include a maximum diameter that substantially conforms to an inner surface of the vessel <NUM> at a position downstream of the treatment site <NUM>. One or more procedures may then be performed at the treatment site <NUM>, while the deployed medical device <NUM> may function as a downstream filter and/or funnel and/or drain.

For example, an angioplasty procedure, an atherectomy and/or thrombectomy procedure, a stent or other prosthesis deployment procedure, a therapeutic agent delivery procedure, of the like, or others may be performed at the treatment site <NUM>. In <FIG>, a balloon catheter <NUM> is shown, for example, for performing an angioplasty procedure. During these procedures, embolic material <NUM> may break off or otherwise be released from the treatment site <NUM>, travel downstream and enter the expandable member <NUM> through the distal opening <NUM>. In this example, the expandable member <NUM> and/or the expandable frame <NUM> may be configured to filter embolic debris <NUM> while permitting the perfusion of blood there through. As such, the expandable member <NUM> and/or the expandable frame <NUM> may thus may prevent embolic material <NUM> from traveling further downstream where it may damage the patient. Additionally, the expandable member <NUM> and/or the expandable frame <NUM> may also direct and/or funnel the embolic material <NUM> and/or blood into the lumen <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a user may selectively drain fluid and/or embolic material from the patient through the lumen <NUM> of the medical device <NUM>, for example, by selectively opening the valve member <NUM> and/or the valve member <NUM>. In this embodiment, the fluid and/or embolic material would selectively drain into the storage device <NUM>.

After the procedure is complete and/or the desired amount of fluid and/or embolic material have been removed and/or drained from the patient, the device can be collapsed and removed from the patient. For example, the outer tubular member <NUM> may be advanced distally relative to the tubular member <NUM> and into contact with the expandable member <NUM>, and then advanced further distally to progressively collapse the expandable member <NUM> from the expanded configuration to the collapsed delivery configuration for withdrawal from the vasculature.

As can be appreciated, in other embodiments, the expandable member <NUM> and/or the expandable frame <NUM> may not be permeable and/or not include any apertures, but rather, may form a solid occlusion member and/or blocking member and/or funnel member to effectively prevent perfusion or the downstream flow of fluid or material such as blood, embolic material, or therapeutic agents, when deployed. <FIG> and <FIG> can be used to describe one example such embodiment.

In <FIG>, the expandable member <NUM> has been delivered as discussed above, and has established apposition with the wall of the blood vessel <NUM>. In this embodiment, however, the expandable member <NUM> and/or expandable frame <NUM> does not include any apertures, but rather, forms a solid occlusion member and/or blocking member and/or funnel member to effectively prevent perfusion or the downstream flow of fluid or material such as blood, embolic material, or therapeutic agents, when deployed. As shown in <FIG>, a drug delivery catheter <NUM>, or the like, may deliver a therapeutic agent <NUM> to the treatment site <NUM>. The expandable member <NUM> may substantially reduce and/or prevent the downstream flow and/or perfusion of fluid. As such, the therapeutic agent may be isolated to the area in and around the treatment site <NUM>. When desired, for example after a desired dwell time, the therapeutic agent <NUM> and fluid around the treatment site may be removed and/or drained from the patient thought the medical device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a user may selectively drain the therapeutic agent <NUM> and/or fluid and/or embolic material from the patient through the lumen <NUM> of the medical device <NUM>, for example, by selectively opening the valve member <NUM> and/or the valve member <NUM>. The fluid and/or embolic material, including the therapeutic agent <NUM> would selectively drain into the storage device <NUM>. This is one example of using the medical device <NUM> to maintain an increased concentration of drug or other therapeutic agents within an isolated region of a vessel. This is also an example of using the medical device <NUM> to selectively allow for the removal or draining of the therapeutic agents from the isolated treatment area, while reducing downstream and/or systematic dispersion of the therapeutic agents within the patient's body.

As may also be appreciated, the medical device <NUM> may also be used to deliver other devices there through. <FIG> shows one example of this. In <FIG>, the expandable member <NUM> has been delivered as discussed above, and has established apposition with a wall of the blood vessel <NUM>. The expandable member <NUM> and/or expandable frame <NUM> may be permeable or non-permeable, as discussed above, depending on if perfusion is desired or not. In this case, perfusion is shown. Another medical device <NUM> may be introduced through the device <NUM>. For example, the device <NUM> may be introduced into the lumen <NUM>, for example through port <NUM>, as discussed above with reference to <FIG>. The device <NUM> may be advanced thought the lumen <NUM>, and into the blood vessel <NUM> of the patient in a retrograde direction in the body lumen to the treatment site <NUM>. The device <NUM> may include any device suitable for use in the particular procedure being performed, and may be included in the system <NUM>. Some example devices may include a guidewire; a catheter, such as a guide catheter, a balloon catheter, a stent delivery catheter, a therapeutic agent delivery catheter, or the like; an atherectomy device; a thrombectomy device; or the like, or any other devices that may be desired and configured for insertion through the lumen <NUM>. Such devices may be used in providing a treatment to the patient, for example, at the treatment site upstream of the deployed expandable member <NUM>. Alternatively, such devices may be used to loosen and/or unclog material that may get stuck within the lumen <NUM>. One or more procedures may then be performed at the treatment site <NUM>, while the deployed medical device <NUM> may function as a downstream filter and/or funnel and/or drain.

After the procedure is complete, the medical device <NUM> may be removed from the patient. Additionally, after the procedure is complete and/or the desired amount of fluid and/or embolic material have been removed and/or drained from the patient, the device <NUM> can be collapsed and removed from the patient. For example, the outer tubular member <NUM> may be advanced distally relative to the tubular member <NUM> and into contact with the expandable member <NUM>, and then advanced further distally to progressively collapse the expandable member <NUM> from the expanded configuration to the collapsed delivery configuration for withdrawal from the vasculature.

In any of the above examples or procedures, it may be desirable to apply suction and/or aspiration and/or infusion through the device <NUM>. For example, if the lumen gets clogged and/or if it is desired to increase the rate of flow out through the lumen <NUM>, suction and/or aspiration and/or a flush may be applied to the lumen <NUM>, through the use of fluid delivery and/or aspiration device <NUM>, as discussed above with reference to <FIG>. Additionally, it is also contemplated that fluid, such as saline or other therapeutic agents, or the like, may be delivered to the blood vessel <NUM> through the device <NUM>. For example, fluid or a therapeutic agent may be delivered through the lumen <NUM> and into the patient through the use of fluid delivery and/or aspiration device <NUM>, as discussed above with reference to <FIG>.

It is also contemplated that more than one such medical device <NUM> may be used and/or deployed with in a patient at a time and/or during a procedure. For example, in cases where a blood vessel may include one or more branches downstream of a treatment site, it may be desirable to deploy multiple medical device <NUM>, for example in each of the branches.

The elongate tubular member <NUM> and/or the outer tubular member <NUM> and/or the hub assembly <NUM>, and/or the expandable member <NUM> (including the frame <NUM> and/or membrane <NUM>), or other components of the device <NUM> or system <NUM> may be made from materials such as metals, a thin-film metal, metal alloys, polymers, metal-polymer composites, combinations thereof, or other suitable materials, and the like. Some examples of some suitable materials may include metallic materials and/or alloys such as stainless steel (e.g. 304v stainless steel or <NUM> stainless steel), nickel-titanium alloy (e.g., nitinol, such as super elastic or linear elastic nitinol), nickel-chromium alloy, nickel-chromium-iron alloy, cobalt alloy, nickel, titanium, platinum, or alternatively, a polymer material, such as a high performance polymer, or other suitable materials, and the like. Examples of suitable polymers may include polyurethane, a polyether-ester such as ARNITEL® available from DSM Engineering Plastics, a polyester such as HYTREL® available from DuPont, a linear low density polyethylene such as REXELL®, a polyamide such as DURETHAN® available from Bayer or CRISTAMID® available from Elf Atochem, an elastomeric polyamide, a block polyamide/ether, a polyether block amide such as PEBA available under the trade name PEBAX®, silicones, polyethylene, Marlex high-density polyethylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI), and polyetherimide (PEI), a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) alone or blended with other materials. Examples of suitable metallic materials may include stainless steels (e.g. 304v stainless steel), nickel-titanium alloys (e.g., nitinol, such as super elastic or linear elastic nitinol), nickel-chromium alloys, nickel-chromium-iron alloys, cobalt alloys, nickel, titanium, platinum, or other suitable materials, and the like.

In some embodiments, portions of the medical device <NUM> may be made of, may be doped with, may include a layer of, or otherwise may include a radiopaque material. Radiopaque materials are understood to be materials capable of producing a relatively bright image on a fluoroscopy screen or another imaging technique such as X-ray during a medical procedure. This relatively bright image aids the user of the device <NUM> in determining its location. Suitable materials can include, but are not limited to, bismuth subcarbonate, iodine, gold, platinum, palladium, tantalum, tungsten or tungsten alloy, and the like.

In some embodiments, portions of the medical device <NUM> may include one or more coatings disposed thereon, such as an anti-thrombus coating, a hydrophilic coating, a hydrophobic coating, or other coatings suitable for the procedure being performed.

It should be understood that although the above discussion was focused on a medical device and methods of use within the vascular system of a patient, other embodiments of medical devices or methods in accordance with the invention can be adapted and configured for use in other parts of the anatomy of a patient. For example, devices and methods in accordance with the invention can be adapted for use in the digestive or gastrointestinal tract, such as in the mouth, throat, small and large intestine, colon, rectum, and the like. For another example, devices and methods can be adapted and configured for use within the respiratory tract, such as in the mouth, nose, throat, bronchial passages, nasal passages, lungs, and the like. Similarly, the medical devices described herein with respect to percutaneous deployment may be used in other types of surgical procedures as appropriate. For example, in some embodiments, the medical devices may be deployed in a non-percutaneous procedure, including an open heart procedure. Devices and methods in accordance with the invention can also be adapted and configured for other uses within the anatomy.

It should be understood that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of steps without exceeding the scope of the disclosure.

Claim 1:
A percutaneously-deployable medical device for use in filtering and/or blocking of downstream flow within a body lumen comprising:
an elongate tubular member (<NUM>) having a distal portion (<NUM>) and a distal end (<NUM>), a proximal portion (<NUM>) and a proximal end (<NUM>), and defining a tube lumen (<NUM>) extending from the distal end (<NUM>) to the proximal end (<NUM>);
an expandable member (<NUM>) disposed on the distal portion of the elongate tubular member (<NUM>) and extending distally beyond the distal end (<NUM>), the expandable member (<NUM>) defining an expandable member lumen (<NUM>) that is in fluid communication with the tube lumen (<NUM>), the expandable member (<NUM>) being configured to expand from a collapsed delivery configuration to a distally-open expanded configuration, the expandable member (<NUM>) being configured to prevent perfusion of fluid there through when in the expanded configuration;
a valve member (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the tube lumen (<NUM>), the valve member (<NUM>) configured to selectively block and selectively allow for flow through the tube lumen (<NUM>); and
an outer tubular member (<NUM>) movable between an extended position in which the outer tubular member (<NUM>) extends over the expandable member (<NUM>) and maintains the expandable member (<NUM>) in the collapsed delivery configuration, and a retracted position in which the outer tubular member (<NUM>) is proximal of the expandable member (<NUM>), permitting the expandable member (<NUM>) to expand into the distally-open expanded configuration,
wherein the expandable member (<NUM>) is configured to be partially deployed from the collapsed delivery configuration by moving the outer tubular member (<NUM>) in a proximal direction.