Vascular filter

Abstract

A vascular filter ( 1 ) comprises a proximal support hoop ( 3 ), a plurality of support struts ( 5 ), and a plurality of capture arms ( 6 ). The proximal support hoop ( 3 ) extends around the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a wave pattern having six distal peaks ( 11 ) and six proximal peaks ( 11 ). The proximal support hoop ( 3 ) comprises an enlarged end element at each peak ( 11 ). The support struts ( 5 ) extend longitudinally along the internal wall of the inferior vena cava in a curve ( 14 ). Two capture arms ( 6 ) are connected to the proximal support hoop ( 3 ) at each distal peak ( 11 ). Each capture arm 6 extends from the distal peak ( 11 ) to an apex ( 7 ) in a curve ( 12, 13 ). The concave portion of the first curve ( 12 ) faces inwardly towards the concave portion of the second curve ( 13 ).

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A vascular filter comprising:
 an expandable circumferential support element defining a lumen having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough; and   a plurality of capture members coupled to the circumferential support element, each capture member defined by first and second curved arms extending from the circumferential support element radially inward toward the longitudinal axis, wherein in at least a first configuration all of the curved arms are joined by a biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable holding element thereby defining a thrombus capture zone.   
     
     
         2 . The vascular filter of  claim 1 , wherein in a second configuration the curved arms are positioned adjacent the circumferential support element to facilitate unrestricted blood flow through the lumen. 
     
     
         3 . The vascular filter of  claim 2 , wherein the curved arms are biased in the second configuration such that upon degradation and/or absorption of the biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable holding element, the curved arms return to the second configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The vascular filter of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second curved arms extend into a central region of the lumen within the circumferential support element. 
     
     
         5 . The vascular filter of  claim 4 , wherein in the first configuration the first and second curved arms are joined in the central region of the lumen. 
     
     
         6 . The vascular filter of  claim 1 , wherein the capture members are formed integrally with the circumferential support element. 
     
     
         7 . The vascular filter of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential support element is configured to move between a radially compressed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The vascular filter of  claim 7 , wherein the circumferential support element is biased in the radially expanded configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The vascular filter of  claim 1 , wherein each capture member includes a conically shaped capture region defined by the first and second curved arms. 
     
     
         10 . The vascular filter of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the first and second curved arms include two or more discreet straight sections. 
     
     
         11 . The vascular filter of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the first and second curved arms include a smooth curve. 
     
     
         12 . A vascular filter comprising:
 an expandable circumferential support element defining a lumen having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, the circumferential support element configured to move between a radially compressed configuration and a radially expanded configuration; and   a plurality of capture members coupled to the circumferential support element, each capture member having first and second ends coupled to the circumferential support element and a loop portion with an apex configured to extend radially inward toward the longitudinal axis, wherein in a closed configuration the apexes of all of the loop portions are connected by a holding element to form a capture zone to capture thrombi passing through the lumen.   
     
     
         13 . The vascular filter of  claim 12 , wherein the holding element is biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable. 
     
     
         14 . The vascular filter of  claim 13 , wherein in an open configuration the capture members are positioned adjacent the circumferential support element to facilitate unrestricted blood flow through the lumen. 
     
     
         15 . The vascular filter of  claim 14 , wherein the capture members are biased in the open configuration such that upon degradation and/or absorption of the biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable holding element, the capture members return to the open configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The vascular filter of  claim 12 , wherein in the closed configuration the loop portions of the capture members are joined in a central region of the lumen within the circumferential support element. 
     
     
         17 . The vascular filter of  claim 12 , wherein the capture members are formed integrally with the circumferential support element. 
     
     
         18 . The vascular filter of  claim 12 , wherein the circumferential support element is biased in the radially expanded configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The vascular filter of  claim 12 , wherein the loop portion of at least some of the capture members includes two or more discreet straight sections. 
     
     
         20 . The vascular filter of  claim 12 , wherein the loop portion of at least some of the capture members includes a smooth curve.