JP5680296B2 - Filter retrieval catheter system - Google Patents

Description

Disclosure details

  This application claims priority to US Provisional Application No. 60 / 444,320, filed Jan. 31, 2003. This application is a continuation-in-part of US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 540,778, filed Mar. 3, 2006.

〔Technical field〕
The present invention generally relates to a catheter system that retrieves a pre-implanted filter in a body passageway to treat a patient.

[Means for solving the problems]
Various different types of filters may be implanted in various passages of the body to treat a patient. The present invention will be described using a specific example of a vascular filter for implantation in a blood vessel and an example of one particular type of filter retrieval system for retrieving a vascular filter. However, the present invention is not limited to vascular applications and relates to implantable filters for use in any medically suitable type of body passageway, such as, for example, the vascular, biliary or pulmonary, esophageal systems It must be understood.

  Implantable filters can be of various types and structures, such as permanent or recoverable, and can be made of various types of materials such as metals and / or polymers, It can have any of a number of structures. Some implantable filters are elastic and have some “spring” characteristics. This elasticity may be present, for example, along the longitudinal axis of the filter and / or may be flexibly bent, for example, along one or more axes of the filter, and / or, for example, the filter You may enable it to compress elastically. This latter type of “compressible” filter can be delivered to the desired site for treatment through a catheter system having a passage or lumen containing the filter. As the filter is released from the catheter, the filter tends to elastically expand to a larger dimension suitable for the size of the body passageway at the desired site for treatment.

  Permanent filters are not intended to be removed, and recoverable filters are intended to be removable over a period of time after being implanted. In other words, the doctor has a period in which he can choose whether to remove the recoverable filter. In the specific case of a vascular filter, it may be desirable to have the option of collecting a filter, eg, a filter placed in the inferior vena cava. It may also be desirable to retrieve such a vascular filter, for example from an access point to an artery, using a catheter-based retrieval system. Such a catheter-based retrieval system allows a physician to retrieve the filter percutaneously without performing surgery. In some situations, the desired access point may be an access point to the carotid artery or femoral artery.

  With regard to the filter itself, it may be desirable to provide a medical implantable filter having features that prevent the filter from moving within the body passageway. Those features for preventing the filter from moving may be, for example, one or more resilient anchors, hooks, or barbs. The element that prevents these movements may be unidirectional, i.e., prevent displacement in one direction and allow the filter to be removed in the opposite direction.

[Background Technology]
In the example of a vascular filter, the filter may be designed to prevent movement from a desired site for treatment in a cranial direction defined as an orientation opposite to the caudal direction. These types of filters are often elastic and can be radially compressed to smaller dimensions and removed by a catheter system inserted into the femoral artery, A hook or loop member is provided through a passage or lumen through the catheter, which hook or loop member captures the filter and draws the filter caudally into the catheter lumen. The catheter system and the captured filter can then be removed from the patient.

  It may be desirable to introduce a catheter retrieval system through the carotid or brachial artery, approach the filter from the cranial direction, and remove the filter in the cranial direction. However, this approach may not be desirable if a particular filter is designed to prevent movement in the cranial direction.

  The recovery system of the present invention can recover the filter regardless of the approach. In other words, the catheter-based retrieval system of the present invention can be inserted through the femoral artery to approach the filter from the caudal direction to retrieve the filter, or inserted through the carotid or brachial artery. Then, the filter can be recovered by approaching the filter from the cranial direction. This flexibility allows the filter to be approached from either direction, but allows the filter to move in either direction while the filter is withdrawn. Thus, regardless of the direction in which the catheter-based retrieval system approaches the filter, the filter can be pulled in a direction of movement that the filter does not block.

  Thus, an example of a retrieval catheter system according to the present invention allows a filter to be retrieved by approaching the filter from either the cranial or caudal orientation using a catheter-based retrieval system, Allows the filter to be designed to prevent movement.

  During operation of the vascular filter retrieval system, the system “pulls” the filter a small distance in the caudal direction before “capturing” the filter into the catheter system to engage the filter anchor or barb with the vessel. And then the catheter system and the captured filter can be retrieved from any selected access point and thus in any desired orientation. The flexibility of this approach provides more treatment options for patient treatment.

  Accordingly, a comprehensive possible objective of the present invention is to provide a filter retrieval system for retrieving a pre-implanted medical filter and a method of using the retrieval system.

  Another possible object of the present invention is to provide an improved filter retrieval system that can retrieve a filter in a proximal or distal direction that may be preferred by a physician.

  These and other possible objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and will be clearly understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment. Many catheter systems are used with flexible guidewires. The guidewire is often metal and is slidably inserted along the desired body passageway. Subsequently, the catheter system is passed over the guidewire by “backloading”, ie by inserting the proximal end of the guidewire into the distal guidewire port leading to the guidewire lumen defined by the catheter system. move on. Such a guidewire lumen may extend along the entire length or only part of the catheter.

  It would be desirable to provide a balloon catheter having an optimal combination of various performance characteristics, including performance characteristics such as flexibility, lubricity, pushability, followability, passability, low profile, tensile strength, expansion / contraction It can be selected from time, expansion pressure and others. Flexibility may be related to the bending stiffness over a particular region of the medical device (eg, balloon catheter and / or stent) or its entire length, or may be related to the material hardness of the component. Lubricity can mean using a low friction material or coating to reduce friction. Extrudability can be related to the strength of the cylinder along a selected path of the device or system. Followability can mean, for example, the ability of a device to successfully follow a desired path without deviating. Passability can be made clear by understanding that the physician prefers the balloon catheter to reach the desired site with little or no friction or resistance. A longitudinal section can mean the maximum lateral dimension at any point along the length of the balloon catheter.

  The balloon catheter of the present invention provides various advantages that may include extrudability, flexibility optimized along the catheter length, torsional strength, tensile strength, low profile, and the like. Some embodiments of the present invention may also provide additional benefits, including a smooth transition of flexibility, a lubricated guidewire lumen, and the like.

  Structurally, the catheter can have a flexible shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and one or more tubular passages extending through part or all of the catheter shaft; That is, a “lumen” can be defined. Such lumens often have one or more openings called “ports”.

  If the lumen is configured to slidably receive a guidewire, the lumen is referred to as a “guidewire lumen” and generally has proximal and distal “guidewire ports”. The distal guidewire port is often at or near the distal end of the catheter shaft.

  The hub is often secured to the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The hub provides various functions, including providing a handle for maneuvering the catheter and / or defining a proximal port in communication with the lumen defined by the catheter shaft. . If the catheter has a guidewire lumen, the proximal guidewire port may be located at a point along the side wall of the catheter shaft, or the hub may define a proximal guidewire port.

  The guidewire has a flexible wire-like structure that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The guidewire is typically of a size selected to fit within the guidewire lumen of the corresponding catheter and to slide within the guidewire lumen of the corresponding catheter.

  The terms “tube” and “tubular” are used in their broadest sense, including any structure that is disposed at a radial distance about the longitudinal axis. Thus, the terms “tube” and “tubular” (i) have a cylindrical shape or non-cylindrical shape, such as an elliptical or polygonal cross section, or any other regular or irregular cross section, etc. ( ii) having different or varying cross-sections along the length; (iii) disposed about a straight, curved, bent or discontinuous longitudinal axis; (iv) a non-porous surface or period Have irregular or interstitial surfaces or cross-sections with periodic or other holes, (v) spaced uniformly or irregularly, including spaced at different radial distances from the longitudinal axis Or (vi) include any structure having any desired combination of length or cross-sectional dimensions.

  Any suitable additional material can be used to make the catheter and hub as described above, including polymers and other materials suitable for use in medical devices.

  It goes without saying that different types and designs of catheters according to the invention can be made by different techniques and from different materials in order to obtain the desired characteristics. It should be noted that the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing and using a medical device during or in preparation for treatment of a patient.

  These and various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and claims when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of many examples of embodiments of the invention.

In describing the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a perspective view of a catheter-based filter collection system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the filter recovery system of FIG. 1 including a shaft opening and a snare loop. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the distal end of the filter retrieval system of FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of several components of the filter recovery system of FIG. 1 including a handle and an actuator wheel. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of several components of the filter recovery system of FIG. 1 including an actuator wheel, a wire, and a shaft tube. FIG. 2 illustrates a first method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter proximally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a first method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter proximally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a first method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter proximally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a first method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter proximally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a first method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter proximally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a first method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter proximally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a first method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter proximally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a first method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter proximally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a first method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter proximally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a second method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter distally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a second method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter distally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a second method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter distally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a second method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter distally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a second method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter distally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a second method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter distally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a second method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter distally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a second method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter distally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a second method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter distally using the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a second method for retrieving a pre-embedded filter distally using the system of FIG. 1. 1 is a perspective view of a catheter-based filter retrieval system showing a catheter shaft following a curved path. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a catheter-based filter retrieval system showing a guidewire lumen.

  The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and thus is not intended to limit the invention, its application, or use in any way. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

  One possible configuration of the filter recovery system of the present invention is shown in the figure. The filter collection system 10 includes a shaft 12, a collection element 14, and a handle 16 with an actuator 18. The retrieval element 14 may be a loop as shown, or it may be a snare, a hook or any other desired shape or type of retrieval device.

  The shaft 12 may be catheter based and has a proximal end 20 and a distal end 22. The shaft 12 has an opening 24 in a side wall 26 of the shaft 12 spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end 22 of the shaft. Further, the shaft 12 may define a lumen or passage 28 from the proximal end 20 to the distal end 22 of the shaft 12 or at least near the distal end 22 of the shaft 12. The shaft preferably has optimally selected characteristics including flexibility, cylindrical strength or pushability, torque transmission, steering and the like.

  A first interior space 30 and a second interior space 32 are defined inside the shaft 12 just proximal and just distal to the side opening 24. The opening 24 or side port or slot is preferably spaced from the distal end 22 of the catheter shaft 12a by a distance that is longer or slightly longer than the length of the filter to be retrieved, and the first interior space 30 and the second The interior space 32 is dimensioned sufficiently large to hold the filter in one of those interior spaces after it has been captured.

  The handle 16 is secured to the shaft 12 near the proximal end 20 of the shaft 12, has an interface for the actuator 18, and provides a comfortable means for maneuvering, guiding and directing the retrieval system 10. The actuator 18 is configured to selectively move the retrieval element 14 proximally and / or distally to steer the retrieval element 14. The specific actuator 18 shown in the figure is a wheel having a shaft 34 and a shaft 36 extending from each side of the wheel. The wheel may have a finger ridge as shown.

  The actuator 18 must be coupled to the retrieval element 14 so that the driving force applied to the actuator 18 is transmitted to the retrieval element 14 and moves the retrieval element 14 in a corresponding manner. The specific configuration for transmitting such driving force shown in the figure is a main fiber or wire loop 38, which passes through a lumen 28 defined by the shaft 12, Extends from the first end 40 and the second end 42 of the wire loop 38 to a position near the distal end 22 of the shaft 12 where the main wire loop 38 is bent 180 degrees, and the shaft 34 and shaft 36 respectively. Are wound around each other in opposite directions.

  A pin 44, or pulley, or bent tube, or 180 degree lumen, or any other suitable guide is provided to allow the main wire loop 38 to move along its circumference. A guide may be provided if the main fiber or wire loop 38 does not have sufficient cylindrical strength, or if the effective pushing force from the proximal handle 16 and actuator 18 cannot be transmitted to the retrieval element 14. Good. The loop 38 (and / or the recovery element 14) can be formed from a wide variety of materials including organic fibers, polymers, and even some metals.

  The main wire loop 38 is secured to the retrieval element 14, so that when the wheel 18 rotates in one direction, the retrieval element 14 moves proximally, and when the wheel 18 rotates in the opposite direction, the retrieval element 14 moves distally. .

  Of course, the handle 16 and actuator 18 may have any preferred design and shape suitable to perform the desired function thereof. For example, the handle may have a more ergonomic shape, or the actuator may have a shape such as a lever, slider, or the like. The collection element may have any shape suitable for grabbing, catching, quickly catching or catching the corresponding collection feature for any type of filter being collected. The filters shown in FIGS. 6A-6I and FIGS. 7A-7J are examples of many filter designs that can be recovered by the filter recovery system of the present invention. The specific filter 46 shown in the figure has a retrieval feature 48 in the form of a hook at one end and prevents the filter 46 from moving within a body passageway (not shown for clarity). A series of anchors or barbs 50 for

  8 and 9 illustrate a retrieval system having a catheter shaft following a curved path, a guidewire lumen 52 having proximal and distal guidewire ports 54 and 56, and one or more marker bands 58. The possible features are shown.

  During surgery, a retrieval system can generally be inserted from a percutaneous access point into a body passage such as an artery. For example, the access point is for the femoral artery, carotid artery, or brachial artery. The retrieval system is advanced until the opening on the side of the shaft is positioned near the desired point of the pre-embedded filter. In the first form, the retrieval element is inside the shaft. When the system is properly positioned, the physician can maneuver the actuator to move the retrieval element out of the shaft opening. As the actuator is further steered, the retrieval element grabs, hooks, or engages a portion of the filter and then pulls the filter through the opening and into one interior space of the catheter shaft. The captured filter and collection system can then be removed from the patient's body. The retrieval system may be able to retrieve the filter in either the proximal or distal direction as desired.

  More specifically, as the catheter system is advanced to place the side port of the catheter and the snare near the corresponding retrieval element of the filter, the snare is hooked to the retrieval element of the filter by steering the catheter and spool, or It is attached. When the snare grabs the retrieval element of the filter, which can be a hook, loop, catch, barge, etc., the snare and filter are pulled proximally or distally through the side port of the catheter, depending on the orientation of the catheter relative to the filter. . The catheter and captured filter are then removed from the patient's body.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, in order to retrieve the filter in the proximal direction, the distal end 22 of the shaft 12 has a side port 24, for example, one or more hooks, barbs, loops, etc. It is advanced toward a location near the filter 46 until it is aligned with the resulting filter collection feature 48.

  The wheel 18 is rotated slightly to move the main wire loop 38 in the catheter shaft 12 to expose the retrieval element or snare 14 as shown in FIG. 6C.

  The catheter shaft is pushed or advanced toward the filter such that the snare 14 is advanced over the filter retrieval feature 48 or attachment point as shown in FIG. 6D.

  The wheel 18 is rotated again to pull the main wire loop 38 in the catheter shaft 12 proximally as shown in FIGS. 6E-6I so that the filter 46 enters the proximal interior space 30. Filter 46 is pulled into catheter shaft 12 until. The collection system and the captured filter are then removed from the body.

  Similarly, to retrieve the filter in the distal direction, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the distal end 22 of the shaft 12 may have a side port 24 such as one or more hooks, barbs, loops, etc. The filter 46 is advanced to a position until it is aligned with the filter's collection feature 48.

  The wheel 18 is rotated slightly to move the main wire loop 38 in the catheter shaft 12 to expose the retrieval element or snare 14 as shown in FIG. 7D.

  The catheter shaft is pulled or retracted proximally so that the snare 14 moves toward the filter, so that the snare 14 has a filter recovery feature 48 or attachment point as shown in FIG. 7E. Enclose.

  The wheel 18 is rotated again to pull the snare 14 distally, as shown in FIGS. 7F-7J, and moves the filter 46 into the catheter shaft 12 until the filter 46 enters the distal interior space 32. Pull in. The collection system and the captured filter are then removed from the body.

  The components of the recovery system of the present invention can be made of any suitable material with the desired performance characteristics such as biocompatibility, strength, flexibility and the like. For example, in the specific retrieval system shown in the figure, the handle and wheel can be made of metal, polymer, or even ceramic, and the shaft can be any suitable polymer, possibly a metal such as a hypotube. The recovery element and the main wire loop are preferably made of metal or filament material.

  The total length of the catheter can be selected to be any suitable length so that the desired site can be accessed for treatment from various insertion points, which can be about 50 cm to 100 cm.

  Numerous configurations and modifications of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the portion of the main wire loop in the catheter shaft that is not attached to the snare may be housed in a separate lumen of the catheter. In addition, a separate guidewire lumen and a distal guidewire port may be provided on the catheter shaft to insert the retrieval system beyond the guidewire. Further, the distal end of the catheter shaft is pre-bent or shaped and / or steerable using a separate wire or filament to improve alignment of the recovered filter and the catheter shaft opening. be able to. The actuator may be replaced with any suitable mechanism such as a slider. Further, instead of using a spool, the two ends of the main wire used to steer the snare may simply be threaded through the handle or hub, so that the physician can manipulate the two ends separately. it can. Further, the edge of the side port of the catheter may be flared or shaped to facilitate the insertion of the filter. The shaft or main wire loop may also be provided with a radiopaque marker band that can be viewed with a fluoroscope or an X-ray video screen.

  Further, the retrieval system of the present invention is used to retrieve any type of implantable medical device that has suitable retrieval features, is radially compressible and can be captured within the retrieval system. May be.

  It should be understood that an unlimited number of configurations of the present invention are feasible. The foregoing discussion merely describes exemplary embodiments that illustrate the principles of the invention, the scope of which is set forth in the following claims. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art from the foregoing description, claims, and drawings that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Embodiment
(1) A filter retrieval system for retrieving a pre-implanted medical filter, the flexible shaft defining a longitudinal axis, having a proximal end and a distal end, A flexible having openings disposed at a predetermined distance from a distal end of the shaft and defining a first interior space and a second interior space disposed proximally and distally of the opening. A shaft, a handle secured to the shaft near a proximal end of the shaft, an actuator coupled to the handle, a position of an opening in the shaft coupled to the actuator, and the first interior A recovery element capable of moving in a longitudinal direction a position within a predetermined range including a position of the space and a position of the second internal space, and the recovery element corresponds by moving the actuator to a desired position. did Moved to a position and when the recovery element is in an initial position, the recovery element is located in one of the first internal space and the second internal space, and the actuator is in an operable position. When moved, the collection element protrudes from the opening in the shaft and can be steered to engage the collection element with a portion of the filter, and then through the opening once per filter collection system. A filter recovery system capable of moving the recovery element to a first capture position or a second capture position where the filter can be drawn into a first internal space and the second internal space.
(2) The filter recovery system according to embodiment 1, wherein the longitudinal axis and the shaft follow a curved path.
3. The embodiment 1 further comprising a guidewire lumen defined by the shaft and a distal guidewire port near the distal end of the shaft to slidably receive the guidewire. Filter collection system as described in.
4. The filter retrieval system according to embodiment 1, wherein the distal portion of the shaft has a preselected shape.
(5) The filter recovery system according to embodiment 1, further comprising one or more marker bands that can be seen with a fluoroscope.
(6) A filter retrieval system for retrieving a pre-implanted medical filter, the flexible shaft defining a longitudinal axis, having a proximal end and a distal end, A flexible having openings disposed at a predetermined distance from a distal end of the shaft and defining a first interior space and a second interior space disposed proximally and distally of the opening. A main fiber loop comprising: a shaft of: a shaft; a handle secured to the shaft near a proximal end of the shaft; an actuator coupled to the handle; and a snare coupled to the actuator; A main fiber loop capable of moving longitudinally through a position within a predetermined range including the position of the opening of the shaft, the position of the proximal interior space, and the position of the distal interior space; Preparation The main fiber loop moves the snare to a corresponding position by moving the actuator to a desired position, and when the snare is in the initial position, the snare is in the first internal space and the second Located in one of the interior spaces, and when the actuator is moved to an operable position, the snare protrudes from an opening in the shaft and is steered to engage the snare with a portion of the filter. And then moving the actuator to a first capture position or a second capture position that pulls the filter through the opening into a selected one of the first and second interior spaces. Can filter recovery system.
(7) A filter retrieval system for retrieving a pre-implanted medical filter, the flexible shaft defining a longitudinal axis, having a proximal end and a distal end, A flexible having openings disposed at a predetermined distance from a distal end of the shaft and defining a first interior space and a second interior space disposed proximally and distally of the opening. A shaft, a handle secured to the shaft near a proximal end of the shaft, an actuator coupled to the handle, a main fiber loop, secured to the actuator and the main fiber loop Coupled to a snare, the snare can move longitudinally through a position within a predetermined range including the position of the opening of the shaft, the position of the proximal interior space, and the position of the distal interior space A main fiber loop, wherein the main fiber loop moves the snare to a corresponding position by moving the actuator to a desired position, and when the snare is in an initial position, the snare is in the first position. And when the actuator is moved to the operable position, the snare protrudes from the shaft opening and engages the snare with a portion of the filter. A first capture position or second that can be steered and then pulls the filter through the opening into a selected one of the first interior space and the second interior space. A filter collection system capable of moving the actuator to a capture position.
(8) The filter retrieval system according to embodiment 1, wherein the catheter shaft is flexible enough to retrieve a filter placed in the inferior vena cava following a curved vascular passage.
9. The filter retrieval system of embodiment 7, wherein a portion of the main fiber loop is distal to the snare.
The filter retrieval system according to claim 9, wherein a portion of the main fiber loop is distal to the distal interior space.
11. The filter retrieval system according to embodiment 9, wherein the shaft further comprises a guide in an internal space distal from the opening.
12. The filter retrieval system according to claim 11, wherein the guide is selected from the group of pins, pulleys, and U-shaped channels, and a distal portion of the main fiber loop extends around the guide.
The filter collection system of claim 7, wherein the snare defines a second loop in addition to the main fiber loop.
(14) The filter recovery system according to embodiment 7, wherein the material of the main fiber loop has substantially no cylindrical strength, so that the fiber cannot transmit the pushing force from the actuator to the recovery element.

Claims (11)

A filter retrieval system for retrieving a pre-implanted medical filter, the flexible shaft defining a longitudinal axis, having a proximal end and a distal end, A flexible shaft having an opening disposed at a predetermined distance from the distal end and defining a first interior space and a second interior space disposed proximally and distally of the opening; A main fiber loop having a handle secured to the shaft near a proximal end of the shaft, an actuator coupled to the handle, and a snare coupled to the actuator, the snare comprising A main fiber loop capable of moving longitudinally through a position within a predetermined range including the position of the opening of the shaft, the position of the proximal internal space, and the position of the distal internal space; The main fiber loop moves the snare to a corresponding position by moving an actuator to a desired position, and when the snare is in the initial position, the snare is in the first internal space and the second internal space. Located in one of them and when the actuator is moved to an operable position, the snare protrudes from the opening in the shaft and can be steered to engage the snare with a portion of the filter; In addition, the actuator can be moved to a first capture position or a second capture position that draws the filter through the opening into a selected one of the first internal space and the second internal space. ,
The shaft further comprises a guide in an interior space distal to the opening;
The main fiber loop is made of a material that cannot transmit an effective pushing force from the actuator to the snare without the guide,
The guide is an effective pushing force from the main fiber loop the actuator to be able to tell the snare, to the dynamic memorial along the main fiber loop around the guide,
The filter recovery system , wherein the main fiber loop is made of organic fibers . A filter retrieval system for retrieving a pre-implanted medical filter, the flexible shaft defining a longitudinal axis, having a proximal end and a distal end, A flexible shaft having an opening disposed at a predetermined distance from the distal end and defining a first interior space and a second interior space disposed proximally and distally of the opening; A handle secured to the shaft near a proximal end of the shaft, an actuator coupled to the handle, a main fiber loop, coupled to the actuator and a snare secured to the main fiber loop The snare is capable of moving longitudinally a position within a predetermined range including a position of the opening of the shaft, a position of the proximal internal space, and a position of the distal internal space. A fiber loop, the main fiber loop moves the snare to a corresponding position by moving the actuator to a desired position, and when the snare is in an initial position, the snare is in the first internal space. And when located in one of the second interior spaces and the actuator is moved to an operable position, the snare protrudes from an opening in the shaft and engages the snare with a portion of the filter. To a first capture position or a second capture position that pulls the filter through the opening into a selected one of the first interior space and the second interior space. The actuator can be moved,
The shaft further comprises a guide in an interior space distal to the opening;
The main fiber loop is made of a material that cannot transmit an effective pushing force from the actuator to the snare without the guide,
The guide is an effective pushing force from the main fiber loop the actuator to be able to tell the snare, to the dynamic memorial along the main fiber loop around the guide,
The filter recovery system , wherein the main fiber loop is made of organic fibers .   A filter retrieval system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shaft is flexible enough to retrieve a filter that follows a curved vascular passage and is placed in the inferior vena cava.   The filter retrieval system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a portion of the main fiber loop is distal of the snare.   The filter retrieval system of claim 4, wherein a portion of the main fiber loop is in the distal interior space.   The filter retrieval system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide is selected from the group of pins, pulleys, and U-shaped channels, and a distal portion of the main fiber loop extends around the guide.   3. A filter recovery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the snare defines a second loop in addition to the main fiber loop.   The filter recovery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal axis and the shaft follow a curved path.   3. The guide wire lumen defined by claim 1 or 2 further comprising a guide wire lumen defined by the shaft and a distal guide wire port near the distal end of the shaft for slidably receiving a guide wire. The filter collection system as described.   The filter retrieval system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the distal portion of the shaft has a preselected shape.   The filter collection system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising one or more marker bands that are visible with a fluoroscope.

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