Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
Apparatus suitable for filtering emboli comprising: an elongated member having a distal region; a support hoop attached to the distal region, the support hoop having an articulation region; and a blood permeable sac affixed to the support hoop, the support hoop forming a distally-facing mouth of the blood permeable sac.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus suitable for filtering emboli comprising: an elongated member having a distal region; a support hoop attached to the distal region, the support hoop having an articulation region; and a blood permeable sac affixed to the support hoop, the support hoop forming a distally-facing mouth of the blood permeable sac.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a delivery sheath having a proximally-facing cavity for accepting the elongated member, support hoop and blood permeable sac.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a guide wire slidably attached to the elongated member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the elongated member abuts against an interior surface of the cavity so that distal translation of the elongated member is transmitted to the delivery sheath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the delivery sheath further comprises a radiopaque feature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a lumen extending through the cavity, the guide wire rigidly received within the lumen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a lumen extending through a distal end of the delivery sheath to permit the elongated member to pass therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a window disposed proximal of the cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus has a deployed state, wherein the support hoop expands through the window to engage an interior wall of a patient's vessel, and a delivery state, wherein the apparatus has a contracted configuration to permit insertion of the elongated member, support hoop, and blood permeable sac within the cavity of the delivery sheath.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the elongated member comprises a deployment sheath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a lumen extending through a distal end of the delivery sheath to permit the guide wire to pass therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a position indication restraint attached to a distal end of the guide wire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the restraint is radiopaque.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a window disposed proximal of the cavity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the apparatus has a deployed state, wherein the support hoop expands through the window to engage an interior wall of a patient's vessel, and a delivery state, wherein the apparatus has a contracted configuration to permit insertion of the deployment sheath, support hoop, and blood permeable sac within the cavity of the delivery sheath.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blood permeable sac comprises a biocompatible material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the biocompatible material comprises a material chosen from a group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyester, polyethylene tetraphlalate, nylon and polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the biocompatible material is formed into the blood permeable sac by a thermoforming process.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blood permeable sac comprises a plurality of pores.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein each one of the plurality of pores has a diameter in a range of 20 to 400 microns.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blood permeable sac comprises a plurality of pores formed by laser drilling.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support hoop comprises a super-elastic material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the super-elastic material comprises a nickel-titanium alloy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the super-elastic material comprises a spring tempered stainless steel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support hoop comprises a wire having a thickness that tapers to a minimum thickness at the articulation region.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus has a deployed state, wherein the support hoop engages an interior wall of a patient's vessel, and a delivery state, wherein the apparatus has a contracted configuration to permit insertion of the elongated member, support hoop, and blood permeable sac within the delivery sheath.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the support hoop is folded at the articulation region when the apparatus is in the delivery state.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the mouth of the blood permeable sac is closed when the apparatus is in the contracted configuration, thereby preventing emboli from escaping from the blood permeable sac.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein opposite sides of the support hoop close towards one another when the apparatus is contracted to its contracted configuration.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support hoop further comprises a radiopaque feature.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blood permeable sac is affixed to the elongated member along a length of the blood permeable sac.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blood permeable sac has a length and a diameter that tapers along the length.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the articulation region comprises a gap, the gap bridged by a portion of the blood permeable sac.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support hoop comprises a wire having a thickness that is at a minimum thickness at the articulation region.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the support hoop comprises a wire having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is proximate the second end at the articulation region.