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 - 30 . (canceled)  
   
   
       31 . An embolic protection device, comprising: 
 an elongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end; and    a filter eccentrically coupled to the elongate wire proximal the distal end of the elongate wire, the filter including a wire frame defining a proximal opening and a filter mesh coupled to the wire frame;    wherein the filter is movable between an expanded position and a contracted position.    
   
   
       32 . The embolic protection device of  claim 31 , wherein the wire frame comprises a radiopaque material.  
   
   
       33 . The embolic protection device of  claim 31 , wherein the filter is biased in the expanded position.  
   
   
       34 . The embolic protection device of  claim 31 , wherein the filter mesh includes a plurality of filaments.  
   
   
       35 . The embolic protection device of  claim 31 , wherein the filter mesh has a generally conical shape.  
   
   
       36 . The embolic protection device of  claim 31 , wherein the filter has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is coupled to the elongate wire.  
   
   
       37 . The embolic protection device of  claim 31 , wherein the filter is eccentrically coupled to the elongate wire such that the proximal opening of the wire frame is disposed to one side of the elongate wire.  
   
   
       38 . The embolic protection device of  claim 31 , wherein the elongate wire extends through the filter.  
   
   
       39 . The embolic protection device of  claim 38 , wherein the filter includes a distal end coupled to the elongate wire.  
   
   
       40 . An embolic protection device, comprising: 
 an elongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end; and    a generally conical filter element having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end defining a proximal opening and the distal end defining a generally enclosed end;    wherein the proximal end of the filter element is coupled to the elongate wire such that the proximal opening is not concentric with the elongate wire.    
   
   
       41 . The embolic protection device of  claim 40 , wherein the filter element includes a wire loop and a mesh coupled to the wire loop.  
   
   
       42 . The embolic protection device of  claim 41 , wherein the wire loop includes a radiopaque material.  
   
   
       43 . The embolic protection device of  claim 41 , wherein the mesh includes a plurality of filaments.  
   
   
       44 . The embolic protection device of  claim 40 , wherein the distal end of the filter element is coupled to the elongate wire.  
   
   
       45 . The embolic protection device of  claim 40 , wherein the filter element is movable between an expanded position and a contracted position.  
   
   
       46 . The embolic protection device of  claim 40 , wherein the elongate wire extends through the filter element.  
   
   
       47 . An embolic protection device, comprising: 
 a generally conical filter having a proximal end and a distal end, the filter including a wire frame adjacent the proximal end of the filter defining a proximal opening and a filter mesh coupled to the wire frame; and    an elongate wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate wire extending through the filter and coupled to the wire frame such that the proximal opening of the wire frame is not concentric with the elongate wire.    
   
   
       48 . The embolic protection device of  claim 47 , wherein the distal end of the filter is coupled to the elongate wire.  
   
   
       49 . The embolic protection device of  claim 47 , wherein the wire frame includes a radiopaque material.