Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A guidewire filter device, comprising: a sheath with a proximal end and a distal end, the sheath having an inside surface and an outside and defining a lumen formed therethrough, the sheath having a plurality of slits formed near the distal end, the plurality of slits defining a plurality of struts; a guidewire with a proximal end and a distal end, the guidewire distal end affixed to a point inside of the sheath that is distal to the struts; and filter material positioned within the lumen in the sheath with the filter material being affixed to portions of struts; whereby by pulling the proximal end of the guidewire relative to the sheath, the struts will expand outwardly and open up the filter material in the form of a filter basket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A guidewire filter device, comprising: a sheath with a proximal end and a distal end, the sheath having an inside surface and an outside and defining a lumen formed therethrough, the sheath having a plurality of slits formed near the distal end, the plurality of slits defining a plurality of struts; a guidewire with a proximal end and a distal end, the guidewire distal end affixed to a point inside of the sheath that is distal to the struts; and filter material positioned within the lumen in the sheath with the filter material being affixed to portions of struts; whereby by pulling the proximal end of the guidewire relative to the sheath, the struts will expand outwardly and open up the filter material in the form of a filter basket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, wherein the slits and struts are formed longitudinally in the sheath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter material is folded and is positioned in the lumen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, further comprising a handle on the proximal end of the guidewire, the handle comprising a means for pulling of the guidewire relative to the sheath so that the filter basket can be opened in an incremental fashion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter material is sized and positioned such that it is affixed to about the distal most half of the struts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter material is affixed to the struts with adhesive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 6, further comprising an outer section of filter material that is affixed to outside surfaces of the struts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter material comprises stretchable and resilient material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, further comprising a floppy atraumatic guidewire tip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, wherein the slits and struts are formed in a spiral orientation in the sheath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, wherein the sheath has an outer diameter that is 0.13 cm or smaller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, wherein the filter material is affixed to an outside surface of the struts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, further comprising a catheter through which the guidewire filter device is slideably positionable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The guidewire filter device of claim 1, wherein at least in the area of the struts, the sheath comprises memory material which will tend to cause the struts to preferentially return to a straight and unexpanded shape.