US20030004536A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable thickness embolic filtering devices and method of manufacturing the same
Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc
•
Filing: 2001-06-29
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2021-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A strut assembly to be used in conjunction with an embolic filtering device has varying strut thicknesses, with the thickness selected based at least in part on the flexing characteristics of the particular portion of the strut assembly. The strut assembly is formed with patterns having flexing portions and stable portions, with the flexing portions contributing to the flexibility of the strut assembly during delivery and recovery in the patient's vasculature. The stable portions remain relatively unflexed and stiff when being delivered or recovered from the patient's vasculature. The stable portions provide strength and increased radiopacity to the strut assembly which is needed when the strut assembly is deployed in the body vessel. The flexing portions act much like a mechanical hinges in providing the needed flexibility to resiliently bend when being delivered through tortuous anatomy of the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 John Boylan
- 👤 Orlando Padilla
- 👤 Christopher Tarapata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/01; A61F2/0108; A61F2002/018; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0006; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
1 . A strut assembly for an embolic filtering device for filtering embolic debris from a patient's vasculature, comprising: a plurality of struts arranged to create a desired composite strut structure which is adapted to move between a collapsed position and an expanded position, the strut structure including: flexing portions which flex when subjected to bending forces that may be developed when the strut assembly is being delivered through the patient's vasculature; and stable portions that remain relatively stiff when being delivered through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
1 . A strut assembly for an embolic filtering device for filtering embolic debris from a patient's vasculature, comprising: a plurality of struts arranged to create a desired composite strut structure which is adapted to move between a collapsed position and an expanded position, the strut structure including: flexing portions which flex when subjected to bending forces that may be developed when the strut assembly is being delivered through the patient's vasculature; and stable portions that remain relatively stiff when being delivered through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
2 . The strut assembly of claim 1 , wherein the stable portions provide structural strength to maintain the strut assembly in the expanded position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
3 . The strut assembly of claim 1 , wherein flexing portions interconnect adjacent stable portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
4 . The strut assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexing portions undergo little or no deformation when subjected to bending forces developed during delivery through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
5 . The strut assembly of claim 4 , wherein the flexing portions are made from a material which is self-expanding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
6 . The strut assembly of claim 1 , wherein the struts are made from a material which is self-expanding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
7 . The strut assembly of claim 6 , wherein the material is nickel-titanium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
8 . The strut assembly of claim 1 , wherein each strut has an inside surface and an outside surface which define a strut thickness, the strut thickness in the stable portions being generally greater than the strut thickness in the flexing portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
9 . The strut assembly of claim 8 , wherein the strut thickness in the flexing portions define a nominal strut thickness and the strut thickness in the stable portions define a greater-than-nominal strut thickness.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
10 . The strut assembly of claim 9 , wherein the nominal strut thickness is about 10% or less of the greater-than-nominal strut thickness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
11 . The strut assembly of claim 9 , wherein the nominal strut thickness is about 50% or less of the greater-than-nominal strut thickness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
12 . The strut assembly of claim 9 , wherein the nominal strut thickness is about 80% or less of the greater-than-nominal strut thickness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
13 . The strut assembly of claim 9 , wherein some of the flexing portions have less than nominal strut thickness.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
14 . The strut assembly of claim 8 , wherein some flexing portions have strut thickness different from other flexing portions but less than the strut thickness in the stable portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
15 . The strut assembly of claim 1 , wherein each strut has a particular strut width, the strut widths in the stable portions being generally greater than the strut widths in the flexing portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
16 . The strut assembly of claim 15 , wherein the strut widths in the flexing portions define a nominal strut width and the strut width in the stable portions define a greater-than-nominal strut width.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
17 . The strut assembly of claim 8 , wherein each strut has a particular strut width, the strut widths in the stable portions being generally greater than the strut widths in the flexing portions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
18 . The strut assembly of claim 17 , wherein the strut widths in the flexing portions define a nominal strut width and the strut width in the stable portions define a greater-than-nominal strut width.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
19 . The strut assembly of claim 16 , wherein some of the flexing portions have less than nominal strut widths.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
20 . The strut assembly of claim 19 , wherein some flexing portions have strut widths different from other flex portions but less than the strut widths in the stable portions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
99 words
21 . A strut assembly for an embolic filtering device for filtering embolic debris from a patient's vasculature, comprising: a plurality of struts arranged to create a desired composite strut assembly which is adapted to move between a collapsed position and an expanded position, each strut having an inner surface and an outer surface which defines a particular strut thickness, wherein portions of the composite strut assembly have strut thickness which are less that the strut thickness of the remaining struts to impart flexibility to the composite strut assembly to resiliently flex when being delivered through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
99 words
21 . A strut assembly for an embolic filtering device for filtering embolic debris from a patient's vasculature, comprising: a plurality of struts arranged to create a desired composite strut assembly which is adapted to move between a collapsed position and an expanded position, each strut having an inner surface and an outer surface which defines a particular strut thickness, wherein portions of the composite strut assembly have strut thickness which are less that the strut thickness of the remaining struts to impart flexibility to the composite strut assembly to resiliently flex when being delivered through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
22 . The strut assembly of claim 21 , wherein the portions of the composite strut assembly having larger strut thickness undergo little or no deformation when subjected to bending forces developed during delivery of the strut assembly through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
23 . The strut assembly of claim 21 , wherein the struts are made from a material which is self-expanding.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
24 . The strut assembly of claim 23 , wherein the material is nickel-titanium.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
25 . The strut assembly of claim 21 , wherein each strut has a particular strut width and the strut widths in the portions of the composite strut assembly having smaller strut widths are generally less than the strut widths of the remaining struts.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
26 . The strut assembly of claim 21 , wherein the portions of the composite strut assembly having smaller strut thickness enhance the movement of the strut assembly between the collapsed position and the expanded position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
27 . The strut assembly of claim 23 , wherein the portions of the composite strut assembly having smaller strut thickness enhance the movement of the strut assembly between the collapsed position and the expanded position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
28 . The strut assembly of claim 25 , wherein the strut thickness in the portions of the composite strut assembly having smaller strut thickness are non-uniform.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
29 . The strut assembly of claim 21 , wherein the portions of the composite strut assembly having smaller strut thickness define a nominal strut thickness and the remaining struts define a greater-than-nominal strut thickness.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
89 words
30 . An embolic filtering device for filtering embolic debris from a patient's vasculature, comprising: a filtering assembly including an expandable strut assembly and a filter element attached thereto; wherein the strut assembly is adapted to move between a collapsed position and an expanded position and has flexing portions which flex when subjected to bending forces that may be developed when the filtering assembly is being passed through the patient's vasculature and stable portions that remain relatively stiff when the filtering assembly is being passed through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
89 words
30 . An embolic filtering device for filtering embolic debris from a patient's vasculature, comprising: a filtering assembly including an expandable strut assembly and a filter element attached thereto; wherein the strut assembly is adapted to move between a collapsed position and an expanded position and has flexing portions which flex when subjected to bending forces that may be developed when the filtering assembly is being passed through the patient's vasculature and stable portions that remain relatively stiff when the filtering assembly is being passed through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
49 words
31 . The filtering device of claim 30 , further including an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end, the filtering assembly being mounted near the distal end, the elongated member being steerable to place the filtering assembly in the desired position within the patient's vasculature.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
32 . The filtering device of claim 30 , wherein flexing portions interconnect adjacent stable portions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
33 . The filtering device of claim 30 , wherein the flexing portions undergo little or no deformation when subjected to bending forces developed during passage through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
34 . The filtering device of claim 33 , wherein the flexing portions of the strut assembly are made from a material which is self-expanding.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
35 . The filtering device of claim 30 , wherein the strut assembly is made from a material which is self-expanding.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
36 . The filtering device of claim 35 , wherein the material is nickel-titanium.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
57 words
37 . The filtering device of claim 30 , wherein the strut assembly is made from a plurality of struts, each strut having an inside surface and an outside surface which define a strut thickness, the strut thickness in the stable portions being generally greater than the strut thickness in the flexing portions of the strut assembly.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
38 . The filtering device of claim 37 , wherein the strut thickness in the flexing portions define a nominal strut thickness and the strut thickness in the stable portions define a greater-than-nominal strut thickness.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
39 . The filtering device of claim 38 , wherein some of the flexing portions have less than nominal strut thickness.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
40 . The filtering device of claim 38 , wherein some flexing portions have strut thickness different from other flexing portions but less than the strut thickness in the stable portions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
49 words
41 . The filtering device of claim 30 , wherein the strut assembly is formed from a plurality of struts, each strut having a particular strut width, the strut widths in the stable portions being generally greater than the strut widths in the flexing portions of the strut assembly.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
42 . The filtering device of claim 41 , wherein the strut widths in the flexing portions define a nominal strut width and the strut width in the stable portions define a greater-than-nominal strut width.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
43 . The filtering device of claim 37 , wherein each strut has a particular strut width, the strut widths in the stable portions being generally greater than the strut widths in the flexing portions.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
44 . The filtering device of claim 30 , wherein the flexing portions of the strut assembly enhance the movement of the strut assembly between the first collapsed position and the second delivery position.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
45 . The filtering device of claim 35 , wherein the flexing portions of the strut assembly enhance the movement of the strut assembly between the first collapsed position and the second delivery position.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
125 words
46 . An embolic filtering device for filtering embolic debris from a patient's vasculature, comprising: a filtering assembly including an expandable strut assembly and a filter element attached thereto, the strut assembly being adapted to move between a first collapsed position and an expanded position and being formed from a plurality of struts arranged to create a desired composite strut structure, each strut having an inner surface and an outer surface which defines a particular strut thickness, wherein: portions of the composite strut assembly have strut thickness which are less that the strut thickness of the remaining struts forming the strut assembly to impart flexibility to the composite strut assembly to allow the strut assembly to resiliently flex while being delivered through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
125 words
46 . An embolic filtering device for filtering embolic debris from a patient's vasculature, comprising: a filtering assembly including an expandable strut assembly and a filter element attached thereto, the strut assembly being adapted to move between a first collapsed position and an expanded position and being formed from a plurality of struts arranged to create a desired composite strut structure, each strut having an inner surface and an outer surface which defines a particular strut thickness, wherein: portions of the composite strut assembly have strut thickness which are less that the strut thickness of the remaining struts forming the strut assembly to impart flexibility to the composite strut assembly to allow the strut assembly to resiliently flex while being delivered through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
49 words
47 . The filtering device of claim 46 , further including an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end, the filtering assembly being mounted near the distal end, the elongated member being steerable to place the filtering assembly in the desired position within the patient's vasculature.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
42 words
48 . The filtering device of claim 46 , wherein the portions of the composite strut assembly having smaller strut thickness undergo little or no deformation when subjected to bending forces developed during delivery of the filtering assembly through the patient's vasculature.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
44 words
49 . The filtering device of claim 46 , wherein each strut has a particular strut width and the strut widths in the portions of the composite strut assembly having smaller strut thickness are generally less than the strut widths of the remaining struts.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
36 words
50 . The filtering device of claim 46 , wherein the portions of the composite strut assembly having smaller strut thickness enhances the movement of the strut assembly between the collapsed position and the expanded position.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
61 words
51 . A method of manufacturing a strut assembly having variable thickness, comprising: providing a generally tubular member with a desired thickness, the tubular member having a outer surface and an inner surface; varying the thickness of selected portions of the tubular member; and removing material from the tubular section to form a desired strut pattern which forms the strut assembly.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
61 words
51 . A method of manufacturing a strut assembly having variable thickness, comprising: providing a generally tubular member with a desired thickness, the tubular member having a outer surface and an inner surface; varying the thickness of selected portions of the tubular member; and removing material from the tubular section to form a desired strut pattern which forms the strut assembly.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
52 . The method of claim 51 , wherein: the step of removing material from the tubular member includes the step of laser cutting the desired pattern into the tubular member.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
68 words
53 . The method of claim 51 , wherein: the step of varying the thickness of selected portions of the tubular member includes: mounting the tubular member on a rotating mechanism; rotating the tubular member; contacting the outer surface of the tubular member with a cutting device which removes selected amounts from the tubular member until the desired thickness is achieved in select portions of the tubular member.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
73 words
54 . A method of manufacturing a strut assembly having variable thickness, comprising: selecting a strut pattern; determining flexing portions and stable portions for the strut pattern; forming a strut assembly with the desired strut pattern; providing at least some flexing portions of the strut pattern of the strut assembly with a nominal thickness; and providing at least some stable portions of the strut pattern of the strut assembly with a greater-than-nominal thickness.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
73 words
54 . A method of manufacturing a strut assembly having variable thickness, comprising: selecting a strut pattern; determining flexing portions and stable portions for the strut pattern; forming a strut assembly with the desired strut pattern; providing at least some flexing portions of the strut pattern of the strut assembly with a nominal thickness; and providing at least some stable portions of the strut pattern of the strut assembly with a greater-than-nominal thickness.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
40 words
55 . The method of claim 54 , wherein: the flexing portions of the strut assembly have a nominal thickness achieved by reducing the thickness of select portions of the strut assembly from a greater-than-nominal thickness to a nominal thickness.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
43 words
56 . The method of claim 55 , wherein: the reduction of the thickness of the flexing portions of the strut assembly from a greater-than-nominal thickness to a nominal thickness includes the removal of a portion the outer surface of the strut assembly.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
38 words
57 . The method of claim 55 , wherein: the stable portions of the strut assembly have greater-than-nominal thickness as a result of sputter coating additional amounts of select material onto the outer surface of the strut assembly.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
49 words
58 . The method of claim 55 , wherein: the strut pattern of the strut assembly includes forming struts having strut widths in the flexing portion of the strut pattern which are less than the strut widths of the struts making up the stable portions of the strut pattern.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
40 words
59 . The method of claim 54 , wherein: the formation of the strut assembly with the desired strut pattern includes: providing a tubular member having a variable wall thickness; and cutting the desired strut pattern into the tubular member.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
49 words
60 . The method of claim 59 , wherein: the strut pattern of the strut assembly includes forming struts having strut widths in the flexing portion of the strut pattern which are less than the strut widths of the struts making up the stable portions of the strut pattern.
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