Imaging ivc filter catheter and method

Abstract

A combined multi-lumen central access catheter with a fixedly coupled filter, and an imaging modality to conduct intravascular imaging and ascertain a state of capture of thrombus in the filter and a method of capturing thrombus in a filter mounted on a catheter and imaging the state of capture of thrombus in the filter.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multi-lumen filter catheter, comprising:
 a. a multi-lumen catheter body having a plurality of lumens;   b. a filter member fixedly coupled to a distal aspect of the catheter body and oriented to capture thrombus therein; and   c. an imaging system positioned within at least one of the plurality of lumens and positioned proximate the filter member so as to be capable of detecting detect a state of thrombus capture within the filter member.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 1 , wherein the imaging system is selected from the group comprising an intravascular ultrasound system and an optical coherence tomography system. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 1 , wherein the imaging system is disposed within a lumen of the multi-lumen catheter body, and the imaging system is configured to image the filter member from within one of the plurality of lumens of the multi-lumen catheter body. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 1 , wherein the imaging system further comprises a drive cable and a rotatable imaging probe. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 4 , wherein the imaging probe is adapted to be positioned within the multi-lumen catheter body in a region bounded by a proximal end and a distal end of the filter member. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 5 , wherein the bounded region of the multi-lumen catheter body has at least one of dimensions or material selected to optimize an imaging signal transmission and an imaging signal clarity therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 4 , wherein the imaging probe is adapted to be longitudinally translated at least one of proximally or distally relative to the filter member. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 4 , wherein the imaging system further comprises an imaging catheter. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 8 , wherein the imaging catheter is disposed within a lumen of the multi-lumen catheter body. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 8 , wherein the imaging catheter is integral with a lumen of the multi-lumen catheter body. 
     
     
         11 . A medical device, comprising:
 a. a catheter body having a filter member coupled to the catheter body, wherein the filter member is circumferentially coupled about a distal end of the catheter and having a first end coupled circumferentially in fixed relation to the catheter and a second end circumferentially moveably coupled to the catheter, the filter member consisting of a plurality of struts configured to form a generally frustroconical proximal section of the filter member and a generally frustroconical distal section of the filter member, the proximal section and the distal section of the filter member being asymmetric relative to each other, the filter member being expandable within a blood vessel such that a transverse dimension of the filter decreases in the direction of the patient's blood flow to collect thrombi within the filter member;   b. a multi-lumen sheath, wherein the catheter body is disposed within a lumen of the multi-lumen sheath; and   c. an imaging system operable to detect a condition of the filter member.   
     
     
         12 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 11 , wherein the imaging system is selected from the group comprising an intravascular ultrasound system and an optical coherence tomography system. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 12 , wherein the imaging system is disposed within a lumen of the multi-lumen sheath, and the imaging system is configured to image the filter member from within said lumen of the multi-lumen sheath. 
     
     
         14 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 11 , wherein the imaging system further comprises a drive cable and an imaging probe. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 14 , wherein the imaging probe is adapted to be positioned within the multi-lumen sheath in a region bounded by a proximal end and a distal end of the filter member. 
     
     
         16 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 15 , wherein the bounded region of the multi-lumen sheath has at least one of dimensions or material selected to optimize an imaging signal transmission and an imaging signal clarity therethrough. 
     
     
         17 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 14 , wherein the imaging probe is adapted to be translated at least one of proximally or distally relative to the filter member. 
     
     
         18 . The multi-lumen filter catheter according to  claim 14 , wherein the imaging probe is adapted to be rotated relative to the filter member. 
     
     
         19 . A method of capturing thrombus within a blood vessel wherein the multi-lumen filter catheter of  claim 1  is introduced into a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:
 a. deploying the catheter within a blood vessel such that the filter has an enlarged diametric opening which opens facing a patient's blood flow; and 
 b. imaging the filter member with an imaging system operable to detect a condition of the filter member. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the step of imaging the filter member further comprises confirming the presence of a thrombus captured by the filter member. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the imaging system is selected from the group comprising an intravascular ultrasound system and an optical coherence tomography system. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the step of imaging the filter member further comprises inserting the imaging system into a lumen of the catheter and disposing an imaging probe of the imaging system in a region of the catheter bounded by a proximal end and a distal end of the filter member. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the imaging probe is adapted to be translated at least one of proximally or distally relative to the filter member. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the imaging probe is adapted to be rotated relative to the filter member. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the step of introducing a catheter further comprises disposing the catheter in a lumen of a multi-lumen sheath, and introducing the multi-lumen sheath having the catheter disposed therein. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the imaging system is disposed within a lumen of the multi-lumen sheath.