Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
Apparatus for filtering and entrapping debris in the vascular system of a patient, said apparatus comprising: a filter device adapted to allow blood flow therethrough and to restrict passage of debris therethrough, said filter device having, a proximal side and a distal side, said filter device being adapted to capture debris carried in a first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side thereof on the proximal side of said filter device; an entrapment device having a proximal side and a distal side, said entrapment device comprising flap means on the distal side thereof adapted to open to allow passage of debris and blood therethrough in the first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side of said entrapment device, said flap means being operable to close to prevent debris passage from the distal side to the proximal side of said entrapment device in a second direction opposite to the first direction, said filter device and said entrapment device forming a chamber therebetween; and said apparatus being deployable within the vascular system; wherein said entrapment device allows blood and debris carried therein to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow and said filter device allows blood to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow, and said entrapment device flap means prevent debris from flowing back therethrough in the second direction of blood flow opposite to the first direction of blood flow such that the debris is trapped within the chamber for removal from the vascular system of the patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
261 words
Apparatus for filtering and entrapping debris in the vascular system of a patient, said apparatus comprising: a filter device adapted to allow blood flow therethrough and to restrict passage of debris therethrough, said filter device having, a proximal side and a distal side, said filter device being adapted to capture debris carried in a first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side thereof on the proximal side of said filter device; an entrapment device having a proximal side and a distal side, said entrapment device comprising flap means on the distal side thereof adapted to open to allow passage of debris and blood therethrough in the first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side of said entrapment device, said flap means being operable to close to prevent debris passage from the distal side to the proximal side of said entrapment device in a second direction opposite to the first direction, said filter device and said entrapment device forming a chamber therebetween; and said apparatus being deployable within the vascular system; wherein said entrapment device allows blood and debris carried therein to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow and said filter device allows blood to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow, and said entrapment device flap means prevent debris from flowing back therethrough in the second direction of blood flow opposite to the first direction of blood flow such that the debris is trapped within the chamber for removal from the vascular system of the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an introduction mechanism including a cannula to insert said apparatus into the vascular system of the patient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a frame selectively configurable to adjustably size said filter device and said entrapment device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a compliant outer cuff configured to surround said frame, and to make contact with an inner wall of the vascular system of the patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said compliant outer cuff passively surrounds said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said compliant outer cuff is radially expandable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said filter device comprises a filter bag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said entrapment device flap means comprise at least one entrapment leaflet attached to a first portion of said entrapment device on the distal side of said entrapment device and contacting a second portion of said entrapment device on the distal side of said entrapment device such that said at least one entrapment leaflet is moveable to a position removed from the second distal side of said entrapment device to allow blood and debris in the first direction of blood flow therethrough and said at least one entrapment leaflet is moveable toward the second distal side of said entrapment device to prevent debris flow in the second direction of blood flow therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said at least one entrapment leaflet comprises a filter material so as to allow flow of blood, and to prevent flow of debris, in the second direction of blood flow back through said entrapment device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said at least one entrapment leaflet comprises a non-porous material so as to prevent blood and debris flow in the second direction of blood flow back through said entrapment device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first direction of blood flow is the direction of systolic blood flow and the second direction of blood flow is the direction of diastolic blood flow.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
307 words
A method for filtering and entrapping debris from the vascular system of a patient, the method comprising: providing apparatus for filtering and entrapping debris in the vascular system of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a filter device adapted to allow blood flow therethrough and to restrict passage of debris therethrough, the filter device having a proximal side and a distal side, the filter device being adapted to capture debris carried in a first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side thereof on the proximal side of the filter device; an entrapment device having a proximal side and a distal side, the entrapment device comprising flaps means on the distal side thereof adapted to open to allow passage of blood and debris therethrough in the first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side of the entrapment device, the flap means being operable to close to prevent debris passage from the distal side to the proximal side of the entrapment device in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the filter device and the entrapment device forming a chamber therebetween; and the apparatus being deployable within the vascular system; wherein the entrapment device allows blood and debris carried therein to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow and the filter device allows blood to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow, and the entrapment device prevents debris from flowing back therethrough in the second direction of blood flow opposite to the first direction of blood flow such that the flap means entrap the filtered debris within the chamber for removal from the vascular system of the patient; inserting the apparatus into the vascular system of the patient; and allowing blood and debris carried therein to flow through the entrapment device, and into the chamber.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
307 words
A method for filtering and entrapping debris from the vascular system of a patient, the method comprising: providing apparatus for filtering and entrapping debris in the vascular system of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a filter device adapted to allow blood flow therethrough and to restrict passage of debris therethrough, the filter device having a proximal side and a distal side, the filter device being adapted to capture debris carried in a first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side thereof on the proximal side of the filter device; an entrapment device having a proximal side and a distal side, the entrapment device comprising flaps means on the distal side thereof adapted to open to allow passage of blood and debris therethrough in the first direction of blood flow from the proximal side to the distal side of the entrapment device, the flap means being operable to close to prevent debris passage from the distal side to the proximal side of the entrapment device in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the filter device and the entrapment device forming a chamber therebetween; and the apparatus being deployable within the vascular system; wherein the entrapment device allows blood and debris carried therein to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow and the filter device allows blood to flow therethrough in the first direction of blood flow, and the entrapment device prevents debris from flowing back therethrough in the second direction of blood flow opposite to the first direction of blood flow such that the flap means entrap the filtered debris within the chamber for removal from the vascular system of the patient; inserting the apparatus into the vascular system of the patient; and allowing blood and debris carried therein to flow through the entrapment device, and into the chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 12 further comprising the step of making an opening in a wall of a portion of the vascular system prior to the step of inserting the apparatus into the vascular system of the patient wherein the apparatus is inserted through the opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the portion is the aorta of the patient.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 12 further comprising the step of removing the apparatus from the vascular system of the patient.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein the apparatus maintains entrapment of debris during the step of removing the apparatus from the vascular system of the patient.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for filtering and entrapping debris in a vascular system of a patient, the apparatus comprising: an entrapment device comprising an annular member; flap means fixed to said annular member and extending toward a center of said annular member, said flap means being moveable by flood flow in a first direction through said annular member to provide a central orifice for blood and debris therein to flow therethrough; and a filter bag fixed at an open end thereof to said annular member and adapted to permit blood flow therethrough in the first direction and collect the debris flowed thereinto; wherein upon reversal of the direction of blood flow, said filter bag permits blood flow therethrough, and said flap means is moveable by the blood flow to close the orifice to prevent flow of debris in a direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for filtering and entrapping debris in a vascular system of a patient, the apparatus comprising: an entrapment device comprising an annular member; flap means fixed to said annular member and extending toward a center of said annular member, said flap means being moveable by flood flow in a first direction through said annular member to provide a central orifice for blood and debris therein to flow therethrough; and a filter bag fixed at an open end thereof to said annular member and adapted to permit blood flow therethrough in the first direction and collect the debris flowed thereinto; wherein upon reversal of the direction of blood flow, said filter bag permits blood flow therethrough, and said flap means is moveable by the blood flow to close the orifice to prevent flow of debris in a direction opposite to the first direction.