Embolic protection filter delivery sheath

Abstract

Embolic protection sheath and method of using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention includes an elongate shaft, an embolic protection filter coupled to the shaft, and a sheath disposed over at least a portion of the shaft.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for delivering an intravascular filter, comprising 
 an elongate sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;    an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft adapted for being disposed within the lumen of the sheath;    a filter coupled to the shaft;    a manifold coupled to the proximal end of the sheath; and    a cutting blade coupled to the manifold.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the sheath has a flared distal end.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the manifold includes a hypodermic tube having a lumen configured for having the shaft disposed therein.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a collet for securing the shaft is coupled to the manifold.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the manifold further comprises a luer fitting.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the blade includes a distally disposed cutting edge.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for delivering an intravascular filter, comprising 
 an elongate sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a lumen extending therethrough;    wherein the sheath includes a slit along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the sheath;    an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft adapted for being disposed within the lumen of the sheath;    a filter coupled to the distal end of the shaft;    a manifold coupled to the proximal end of the sheath; and    a pull tab attached to the proximal end of the sheath, the pull tab releasably coupled to the manifold.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the sheath has a flared distal end.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the manifold includes a hypodermic tube having a lumen configured for having the shaft disposed therein.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein a collet for securing the shaft is coupled to the manifold.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the manifold further comprises a luer fitting.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising a cutting blade coupled to the manifold.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the blade includes a distally disposed cutting edge.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for delivering an intravascular filter, comprising 
 an elongate sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a lumen extending therethrough;    an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft adapted for being disposed within the lumen of the sheath;    a filter coupled to the distal end of the shaft;    a manifold coupled to the proximal end of the sheath;    a pull tab attached to the proximal end of the sheath, the pull tab releasably coupled to the manifold; and    means for longitudinally opening the sheath.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein means for longitudinally opening the sheath includes a slit along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the sheath.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein means for longitudinally opening the sheath includes a cutting blade coupled to the manifold.  
     
     
         17 . A method of delivering an intravascular filtering device, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a delivery catheter assembly including an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a lumen extending therethrough; an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a filter coupled to the shaft;    advancing the delivery catheter through a blood vessel to an area of interest; and    splitting the sheath along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis thereof removal the sheath at least in part from the vessel.    
     
     
         18 . The method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the filter is configured to shift between a first generally collapsed configuration and a second generally expanded configuration, and wherein the step of removing the sheath from the blood vessel shifts the filter from the first configuration to the second configuration.  
     
     
         19 . The method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the step of splitting the sheath along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis thereof occurs after advancing the delivery catheter through the blood vessel.  
     
     
         20 . A method of delivering an intravascular filtering device, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a delivery catheter assembly including an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a lumen extending therethrough; an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a filter coupled to the distal end of the shaft; a manifold coupled to the distal end of the sheath; a pull tab attached to the proximal end of the sheath, the pull tab releasably coupled to the manifold; and a cutting blade coupled to the manifold;    advancing the delivery catheter through a blood vessel to an area of interest;    fixing the position of the shaft relative to the manifold; and    actuating the pull tab so as to split the sheath along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis thereof.    
     
     
         21 . The method in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the filter is configured to shift between a first generally collapsed configuration and a second generally expanded configuration, and wherein the step of actuating the pull tab so as to remove the sheath from the blood vessel shifts the filter from the first configuration to the second configuration.  
     
     
         22 . The method in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein sheath includes a longitudinal slit disposed along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the sheath, and wherein the step of actuating the pull tab so as to split the sheath along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis thereof includes longitudinally splitting the sheath along the longitudinal axis proximate the slit.  
     
     
         23 . The method in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the step of actuating the pull tab so as to split the sheath along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis thereof using the pull to pull the sheath across the cutting blade.  
     
     
         24 . The method in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the manifold includes a collet, and wherein the step of fixing the position of the shaft relative to the manifold includes securing the shaft to the manifold with the collet.  
     
     
         25 . The method in accordance with  claim 20 , further comprising the step of releasing the shaft relative to the manifold.