Vascular filter device

Abstract

A vascular filter device ( 1 ) comprises a plurality of filter elements ( 6 ) which are movable from a capturing position to an open position upon elapse of a predetermined period of time. In the capturing position the filter elements ( 6 ) are configured to capture thrombus passing through the inferior vena cava. In the open position the filter elements ( 6 ) are configured to facilitate unrestricted blood flow. The filter elements ( 6 ) are biased towards the open position. The filter ( 1 ) comprises a holder member ( 10 ) to temporarily hold the filter elements ( 6 ) in the capturing position until elapse of the predetermined period of time. The holder member ( 10 ) comprises a biostable wire element ( 12 ) which extends through an opening ( 13 ) in each filter element ( 6 ), and a biodegradable/bioabsorbable stop element ( 11 ). Upon biodegrading/bioabsorbing of the stop element ( 11 ), the filter elements ( 6 ) are free to move from the capturing position to the open position.

1 - 73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . A vascular filter device comprising:
 a filter having a plurality of filter elements, the filter elements being movable from a capturing position to capture thrombus passing through a blood vessel to an open position to facilitate unrestricted blood flow, and   a holder including at least one pin element extending through a pin opening formed by the plurality of filter elements to hold the filter elements in the capturing position, the pin element including at least one stop element at an end portion of the pin element.   
     
     
         75 . The vascular filter device of  claim 74 , wherein the plurality of filter elements include an eyelet at a free end of the plurality of filter elements, the pin opening being formed by an alignment of the eyelets. 
     
     
         76 . The vascular filter device of  claim 74 , wherein the pin element includes a main pin body, and the at least one stop element is integrally formed with the main pin body. 
     
     
         77 . The vascular filter device of  claim 74 , wherein the pin element includes a main pin body, the at least one stop includes two stops, and one of the two stops is formed separate from the main pin body, and the other of the two stops is integrally formed with the main pin body. 
     
     
         78 . The vascular filter device of  claim 74 , wherein at least a portion of the pin element is one of biodegradable or bioabsorbable. 
     
     
         79 . The vascular filter device of  claim 74 , wherein the pin element includes a straight main pin body. 
     
     
         80 . The vascular filter device of  claim 74 , wherein the holder comprises a first opening through which a first set of the filter elements extends in the capturing position, and a second opening through which a second set of the filter elements extends in the capturing position. 
     
     
         81 . The vascular filter device of  claim 74 , wherein the pin element includes a main pin body having a bend. 
     
     
         82 . The vascular filter device of  claim 74 , wherein the pin element includes a main pin body configured to extend through the pin opening, and the stop element is located outside the pin opening and has a size greater than a size of the pin opening. 
     
     
         83 . The vascular filter device of  claim 74 , wherein the at least one stop element comprises a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         84 . The vascular filter device of  claim 74 , wherein the holder includes two pin elements, the pin opening forms a first pin opening, and the filter device includes a second pin opening. 
     
     
         85 . The vascular filter device of  claim 74 , further including a tubular support structure supporting the plurality of filter elements, the plurality of filter elements coupled to the support structure at a first end, and coupled together by the holder at a second end, and the first and second ends being located longitudinally within the tubular support structure. 
     
     
         86 . A vascular filter device comprising:
 a filter having a plurality of filter elements, the filter elements being movable from a capturing position to capture thrombus passing through a blood vessel to an open position to facilitate unrestricted blood flow, and   a holder including at least one pin element configured to extend through a pin opening formed by the plurality of filter elements to hold the filter elements in the capturing position, and   wherein the pin opening includes a longitudinal axis extending normal to a filter longitudinal axis when the filter elements are in the capturing position.   
     
     
         87 . The vascular filter device of  claim 86 , wherein the plurality of filter elements include an eyelet at a free end of the plurality of filter elements, the pin opening being formed by an alignment of the eyelets. 
     
     
         88 . The vascular filter device of  claim 86 , wherein the pin element comprises at least one stop. 
     
     
         89 . The vascular filter device of  claim 88 , wherein the pin element includes a main pin body, and the at least one stop is integrally formed with the main pin body. 
     
     
         90 . The vascular filter device of  claim 86 , wherein at least a portion of the pin element is biodegradable. 
     
     
         91 . The vascular filter device of  claim 86 , wherein the pin element includes a straight main pin body. 
     
     
         92 . The vascular filter device of  claim 86 , further including a tubular support structure supporting the plurality of filter elements, the plurality of filter elements coupled to the support structure at a first end, and coupled together by the holder at a second end, and the first and second ends being located longitudinally within the tubular support structure. 
     
     
         93 . A vascular filter device comprising:
 a filter comprising a plurality of filter elements, the filter elements being movable from a capturing position to capture thrombus passing through a blood vessel to an open position to facilitate unrestricted blood flow, and   a holder having at least one pin element configured to extend through a pin opening formed by the plurality of pin elements to hold the filter element in the capturing position, the pin element comprising a main pin body and a stop, only one of the main pin body or the stop being formed of a biodegradable or bioabsorbable material.