Distal protection device and method

Abstract

An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

1 - 59 . (canceled)  
   
   
       60 . A retrieval device for retrieving an emboli capturing device having an expandable capturing element attached to an elongate member, the retrieval device comprising: 
 a first sheath having a distal end configured to receive the emboli capturing device in an expanded configuration;    a second sheath sized to be slidingly received inside the first sheath, the second sheath having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen extending therebetween, the lumen sized to receive the elongate member but not the emboli capturing element.    
   
   
       61 . The retrieval device of  claim 60 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the elongate member in position within the second sheath.  
   
   
       62 . The retrieval device of  claim 60 , wherein a stop is positioned on the elongate member proximal of the expandable capturing element; wherein the lumen in the second sheath is sized to receive the elongate member but not the stop, thereby restricting proximal movement of the elongate member within the second sheath.  
   
   
       63 . The retrieval device of  claim 60 , wherein the distal end of the second sheath is rounded and extends distal of the distal end of the first sheath in a first, extended configuration; the second sheath sliding proximally within the first sheath such that the distal end of the second sheath is proximal of the distal end of the first sheath in a second, retracted position.  
   
   
       64 . A method for removing a restriction in a blood vessel comprising: 
 providing an emboli capturing device including an elongate member having an expandable emboli capturing element disposed on a distal end thereof;    inserting and advancing the emboli capturing device into a blood vessel to a position distal of the restriction;    expanding the expandable emboli capturing element;    fragmenting at least a portion of the restriction, and collecting the fragments in the emboli capturing element;    providing a retrieval device including a first sheath configured to receive the emboli collecting element in the expanded configuration, and a second sheath sized to be slidingly received inside the first sheath, the second sheath having a lumen therethrough sized to receive the elongate member but not the expandable emboli capturing element, the retrieval device including a locking mechanism to lock the elongate member within the second sheath;    inserting and advancing the retrieval device trough the blood vessel over the elongate member to the expanded emboli capturing element;    locking the elongate member to the second sheath;    sliding the second sheath and elongate member proximally within the first sheath such that the expanded emboli capturing element is within the first sheath; and    removing the elongate member and retrieval device from the blood vessel.    
   
   
       65 . An emboli capturing system comprising: 
 an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end;    an expandable emboli capturing device mounted proximate the distal end of the elongate member, the emboli capturing device being movable between a radially expanded position and a radially retracted position, the expandable emboli capturing device forming a net with a proximally opening mouth when in the radially expanded position;    a first sheath having a distal end configured to receive the emboli capturing device in the radially expanded configuration;    a second sheath sized to be slidingly received inside the first sheath, the second sheath having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen extending therebetween, the lumen sized to receive the elongate member but not the emboli capturing device.    
   
   
       66 . The emboli capturing system of clam  65 , further comprising a stop positioned on the elongate member proximal of the emboli capturing device, wherein the stop prevents the emboli capturing device from entering the lumen of the second sheath.  
   
   
       67 . The emboli capturing system of  claim 65 , further comprising a locking mechanism on the second sheath configured to lock the elongate member to the second sheath such that the elongate member and second sheath are moveable as a unitary element within the first sheath.