M. Aleksic

Vena-cava-Filter: Fakten und Trends

PCT No. PCT/GB95/01408 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 13, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 13, 1996 PCT Filed Jun. 16, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/34339 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 21, 1995A vena-cava filter features an inflatable balloon at or near the distal end of an elongate flexible multiple-lumen core or stem. The balloon is suitably configured in a preferred construction at or near the distal end of an elongate flexible multiple-lumen core. The balloon is suitably configured in a preferred embodiment for femoral-vein insertional installation; and in another embodiment the balloon is suitably configured for jugular-vein insertional installation. In both embodiments, the balloon is deflated prior to insertion; it is inflated to become a filter when properly positioned in the vein, and finally it is deflated for removal purposes. Installation may proceed pursuant to guide-wire techniques commonly used for catheter installation. Each of the indicated two embodiments is described for the case of additionally providing for injection of a tracer or a thrombolytic agent at a location in the vein at proximal (i.e., upstream) offset from the region of filter action.