Intravascular blood filter

Abstract

Disclosed is a novel filter and delivery means. The device described within will not interfere with standard practice and tools used during standard surgical procedures and tools such as cannulas, clamps or dissection instruments including valve replacement sizing gages or other surgical procedures where the patient must be put on a heart-lung machine cross-clamping the aorta.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A filter system comprising:
 a first tubular member and a second tubular member;   a first filter mounted on the first tubular member, the first filter configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and   a second filter mounted on the second tubular member, the second filter configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration,   wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are coaxially disposed and configured to move relative to each other to provide relative motion between the first filter and the second filter.   
     
     
         10 . The filter system of  claim 9 , wherein the first filter and the second filter are positioned in opposing directions. 
     
     
         11 . The filter system of  claim 9 , wherein the first tubular member is coaxially disposed within the second tubular member. 
     
     
         12 . The filter system of  claim 11 , wherein the first filter is configured to be positioned distal to the second filter. 
     
     
         13 . The filter system of  claim 9 , further comprising a handle having an actuation member, the actuation member configured to actively and controllably shape a distal end of the first tubular member. 
     
     
         14 . The filter system of  claim 13 , wherein the actuation member is configured to apply tension to the distal end of the first tubular member through a pull wire. 
     
     
         15 . A method of filtering a subject's blood, comprising the steps of:
 providing a delivery catheter having a shapeable distal end;   inserting the delivery catheter into a first vessel;   advancing the delivery catheter through the vessel toward and proximate a second vessel;   actively and controllably shaping the distal end of the delivery catheter to access the second vessel;   advancing a filter in a collapsed configuration through the delivery catheter and into the second vessel; and   expanding the filter such that the filter is introduced into the second vessel in the collapsed configuration and expanded in the second vessel.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of providing a wire element to which the filter is mounted. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of providing a tubular member to which the filter is mounted. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of selecting the first vessel from the group of vessels consisting of: the radial artery; the brachial artery; the carotid artery; and the femoral artery. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of selecting the second vessel from the group of vessels consisting of: the right common carotid artery; the left common carotid artery; and the left subclavian artery. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein actively and controllably shaping the distal end of the delivery catheter comprises actuating an actuation member on a handle positioned external to the subject. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein actively and controllably shaping the distal end of the delivery catheter comprises applying tension to a distal end of the delivery catheter through a pull wire. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein inserting the delivery catheter comprises advancing the delivery catheter over a guidewire.