Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A filtering device for preventing embolism and/or the distension of a blood vessel wall, the device comprising: a catheter for placement in a blood vessel; at least one single flexible wire supported by the catheter including a shape memory portion having an initial flat configuration for engaging the blood vessel wall when said shape memory portion is in an active state; and a rectilinear member attached to the shape memory portion; wherein the rectilinear portion and the shape memory portion are retractable into said catheter, and form an inactive state when they are retracted inside said catheter, and wherein movement of the rectilinear member causes the shape memory portion to return to said initial flat configuration forming said active state so that the at least one single flexible wire will engage the blood vessel wall to cause a maximum deformation of the blood vessel so that the cross-section of said blood vessel becomes essentially elliptic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A filtering device for preventing embolism and/or the distension of a blood vessel wall, the device comprising: a catheter for placement in a blood vessel; at least one single flexible wire supported by the catheter including a shape memory portion having an initial flat configuration for engaging the blood vessel wall when said shape memory portion is in an active state; and a rectilinear member attached to the shape memory portion; wherein the rectilinear portion and the shape memory portion are retractable into said catheter, and form an inactive state when they are retracted inside said catheter, and wherein movement of the rectilinear member causes the shape memory portion to return to said initial flat configuration forming said active state so that the at least one single flexible wire will engage the blood vessel wall to cause a maximum deformation of the blood vessel so that the cross-section of said blood vessel becomes essentially elliptic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
A filtering device for preventing embolism and/or the distension of a blood vessel wall, the device comprising: a catheter for placement in a blood vessel; and a single flexible wire supported in the catheter including a spiral shape memory portion for engaging the blood vessel wall and a rectilinear nonshape-memory portion, wherein the spiral shape memory portion when supported in the catheter is rectilinear and, when pushed by the nonshape-memory portion out of the catheter, returns to its spiral shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
A filtering device for preventing embolism and/or the distension of a blood vessel wall, the device comprising: a catheter for placement in a blood vessel; and a single flexible wire supported in the catheter including a spiral shape memory portion for engaging the blood vessel wall and a rectilinear nonshape-memory portion, wherein the spiral shape memory portion when supported in the catheter is rectilinear and, when pushed by the nonshape-memory portion out of the catheter, returns to its spiral shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the nonshape-memory portion extends in the same plane as the shape memory portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the nonshape-memory portion extends in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of shape memory portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein coils of the spiral shape memory portion are approximately 3-5 mm apart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A filtering device for preventing embolism and/or the distension of a blood vessel wall, the device comprising: a first catheter having an insertion end and a locking end for placement in a blood vessel; a central catheter having a first end and a second end disposed co-axially and within the first catheter, the first end being aligned with the insertion end; and at least one single flexible wire fixed to the insertion end of the first catheter and to the first end of the central catheter, the wire being provided with a shape memory portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
A filtering device for preventing embolism and/or the distension of a blood vessel wall, the device comprising: a first catheter having an insertion end and a locking end for placement in a blood vessel; a central catheter having a first end and a second end disposed co-axially and within the first catheter, the first end being aligned with the insertion end; and at least one single flexible wire fixed to the insertion end of the first catheter and to the first end of the central catheter, the wire being provided with a shape memory portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein the shape memory portion is substantially semi-circular.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one single flexible wire includes two wires disposed opposite to each other attached to the central catheter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein the locking end is provided with a locking mechanism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a lever pivotally supported on the second end, the lever having teeth that engage a locking ring fixed on the locking end of the first catheter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein the two wires form a circle when placed in an active state.