Inferior vena cava filter retrieval device and method of retrieving same

Abstract

A medical device for retrieving an inferior vena cava filter from an inferior vena cava having a handle having a distal end, wherein a longitudinal axis is defined thereby; a grasping assembly coupled to the handle, wherein the grasping assembly comprises a grasper for grasping the inferior vena cava filter positioned within the inferior vena cava, and an articulation assembly coupled to the grasping assembly for causing the grasping assembly to move laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Methods of retrieving an inferior vena cava filter from an inferior vena cava are also disclosed.

1 . A medical device for retrieving an inferior vena cava filter from an inferior vena cava, comprising:
 a handle;   a first shaft section coupled to the handle, the first shaft section having a longitudinal axis;   a grasping assembly coupled to the first shaft section, wherein the grasping assembly comprises:
 a tube section having a distal end; and 
 a grasper displaceable out of the distal end of the tube section, the grasper for grasping the inferior vena cava filter positioned within the inferior vena cava; 
   a grasper retractor assembly for displacing the grasper out of the tube section and for retracting the grasper into the tube section; and   an articulation assembly coupled to the grasping assembly for causing the grasping assembly to move laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first shaft section.   
     
     
         2 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of retrieving an inferior vena cava filter from an inferior vena cava utilizing a medical device comprising a handle; a first shaft section coupled to the handle, the first shaft section having a longitudinal axis; a grasping assembly coupled to the first shaft section, wherein the grasping assembly comprises a tube section having a distal end and a grasper displaceable out of the distal end of the tube section, the grasper for grasping the inferior vena cava filter positioned within the inferior vena cava; a grasper retractor assembly for displacing the grasper out of the tube section and for retracting the grasper into the tube section; and an articulation assembly coupled to the grasping assembly for causing the grasping assembly to move laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first shaft section; wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 advancing the grasping assembly into a region of the inferior vena cava towards the vena cava filter;   advancing the grasper out of the distal end of the tube section;   articulating the grasping assembly laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first shaft section and into position to grasp the inferior vena cava filter;   grasping the inferior vena cava filter; and   retracting the grasper into the tube section and retrieving the inferior vena cava filter from the vena cava.   
     
     
         12 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of retrieving an inferior vena cava filter from an inferior vena cava utilizing a medical device comprising a handle; a first shaft section coupled to the handle, the first shaft section having a longitudinal axis; a grasping assembly coupled to the first shaft section, wherein the grasping assembly comprises a tube section having a distal end and a grasper displaceable out of the distal end of the tube section, the grasper for grasping the inferior vena cava filter positioned within the inferior vena cava; a grasper retractor assembly for retracting the grasper into the tube section; wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 advancing the grasping assembly into a region of the inferior vena cava towards the vena cava filter;   advancing the grasper out of the distal end of the tube section;   grasping the inferior vena cava filter;   cutting and/or dissecting tissue in which one or more struts of the P/C filter is embedded in the inferior vena cava vessel prior to the step of retracting the IVC filter into the tube section so as to retrieve the inferior vena cava filter from the vena cava.   
     
     
         18 - 31 . (canceled)