CPC A61F 2/0103 (2020.05) [A61F 2/011 (2020.05); A61F 2002/016 (2013.01); A61F 2210/0004 (2013.01); A61F 2230/005 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0067 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0069 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0091 (2013.01); A61F 2250/003 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0031 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0059 (2013.01)] | 12 Claims |
1. A vascular filter system comprising:
a vascular filter comprising at least one filter element, the filter being movable from a closed state adapted to capture thrombus passing through a blood vessel to an open state facilitating unrestricted blood flow, and
a holder adapted to hold the filter in the closed state for a predetermined period of time, said holder being biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable upon elapse of said predetermined period of time whereupon the filter is configured to move to the open state,
characterized in that the system further comprises a member adapted to at least temporarily extend a filtration period,
the member comprises a retainer adapted to at least temporarily retain the filter in the closed state beyond elapse of the predetermined period of time, and
the system comprises a delivery mechanism adapted to deliver the retainer to the filter when located in the blood vessel,
wherein the delivery mechanism is adapted to maintain a position of the filter relative to a blood vessel during delivery of the retainer, and to grasp the filter for delivery of the retainer,
wherein the retainer is extendable around at least part of the filter to retain the filter in the closed state, wherein at least part of the retainer is biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable.
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