Embolic protection device

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for treating occluded or stenoic blood vessels. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and methods for delivering or retrieving an embolic protection device from the vasculature of a patient. In an embodiment, a catheter for retrieval or delivery of an embolic protection device comprises an inner shaft and an outer sheath. In addition, a method for retrieving and delivering an embolic protection device is disclosed.

1 - 27 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         28 . A catheter, comprising: 
 an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, a side opening, and a lumen extending therethrough;    an inner member slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer sheath, said inner member including a tubular member having a proximal opening in communication with the side opening, a distal opening, a distal tip, and a lumen extending therethrough adapted to sidably receive a guidewire; and    wherein the inner member is actuatable between a first position and a second position relative to the outer sheath, said distal tip extending at least in part distally of the distal end of the outer sheath in the first position and a distance proximally of the distal end of the outer sheath in the second position.    
     
     
         29 . The catheter of  claim 28 , wherein the side opening includes a proximal region and a distal region.  
     
     
         30 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the proximal opening of the tubular member is disposed adjacent to the distal region of the side opening during said first position.  
     
     
         31 . The catheter of  claim 29 , wherein the proximal opening of the tubular member is disposed adjacent to the proximal region of the side opening during said second position.  
     
     
         32 . The catheter of  claim 28 , wherein the proximal opening of the tubular member remains in communication with the side opening of the outer sheath during said first and second positions.  
     
     
         33 . The catheter of  claim 28 , wherein the length of the side opening is between about one to four inches in length.  
     
     
         34 . The catheter of  claim 28 , wherein the inner member further includes a lock wire.  
     
     
         35 . The catheter of  claim 34 , wherein a mid-region of the inner member couples the lock wire to the tubular member.  
     
     
         36 . The catheter of  claim 28 , wherein the tubular member includes a plurality of side openings.  
     
     
         37 . The catheter of  claim 36 , wherein the side openings of the tubular member are flush holes.  
     
     
         38 . The catheter of  claim 28 , wherein the distal tip is tapered.  
     
     
         39 . The catheter of  claim 28 , further comprising an embolic protection filter coupled to the guidewire.  
     
     
         40 . The catheter of  claim 28 , further comprising a cover sheath disposed about the side opening of the outer sheath.  
     
     
         41 . The catheter of  claim 40 , wherein the cover sheath includes a slot.  
     
     
         42 . The catheter of  claim 41 , wherein the slot is substantially self-resealing.  
     
     
         43 . A catheter, comprising: 
 an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, a side opening, and a lumen extending therethrough;    an inner member slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer sheath, said inner member having a proximal region including a lock wire, a distal region including a tubular member, and a mid-region coupling the lock wire to the tubular member;    the tubular member having a proximal opening in communication with the side opening, a distal opening, a distal tip, and a lumen extending theretrough adapted to slidably receive a guidewire; and    wherein the inner member is actuatable between a first position and a second position relative to the outer sheath, said distal tip extending at least in part distally of the distal end of the outer sheath in the first position and a distance proximally of the distal end of the outer sheath in the second position.    
     
     
         44 . The catheter of  claim 43 , wherein the side opening includes a proximal region and a distal region.  
     
     
         45 . The catheter of  claim 44 , wherein the proximal opening of the tubular member is disposed adjacent to the distal region of the side opening during said first position.  
     
     
         46 . The catheter of  claim 44 , wherein the proximal opening of the tubular member is disposed adjacent to the proximal region of the side opening during said second position.  
     
     
         47 . The catheter of  claim 43 , wherein the proximal opening of the tubular member remains in communication with the side opening of the outer sheath during said first and second positions.  
     
     
         48 . The catheter of  claim 43 , wherein the length of the side opening is between about one to four inches in length.  
     
     
         49 . The catheter of  claim 43 , wherein the tubular member includes a plurality of side openings.  
     
     
         50 . The catheter of  claim 49 , wherein the side openings of the tubular member are flush holes.  
     
     
         51 . The catheter of  claim 43 , wherein the distal tip is tapered.  
     
     
         52 . The catheter of  claim 43 , further comprising an embolic protection filter coupled to the guidewire.  
     
     
         53 . The catheter of  claim 43 , Amber comprising a cover sheath disposed about the side opening of the outer sheath.  
     
     
         54 . The catheter of  claim 53 , wherein the cover sheath includes a slot.  
     
     
         55 . The catheter of  claim 54 , wherein the slot is substantially self-resealing,  
     
     
         56 . A catheter, comprising: 
 an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, a side opening, and a lumen extending therethrough;    an inner member slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer sheath, said inner member including a tubular member having a proximal opening in communication with the side opening, a distal opening, a distal tip, and a lumen therethrough adapted to slidably receive a guidewire;    wherein the inner member is actuatable between a first position and a second position relative to the outer sheath, said distal tip extending at least in part distally of the distal end of the outer sheath in the first position and a distance proximally of the distal end of the outer sheath in the second position; and    wherein the proximal opening of the tubular member remains in communication with the side opening of the outer sheath during said first and second positions.