Embolic protection system

Abstract

An embolic protection system 1 comprises a guidewire 99 for advancing through a vasculature, the guidewire 99 having a distal end and a proximal end; an embolic protection filter 1 having a filter body 41 with a distal end and a proximal end, the filter body 41 providing for a collapsed configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The embolic protection filter body 41 has a guidewire path for slidably receiving the guidewire 99 to permit movement of the filter 1 relative to the guidewire 99 when the filter 1 is in the collapsed configuration and the expanded deployed configuration. A delivery catheter 2 is advanceable over the guidewire 99 for delivery of the embolic protection filter 1 ; the delivery catheter 2 having a proximal end and a distal end. The filter 1 is deployed from the distal end of the delivery catheter 2 into the expanded deployed configuration. A retrieval catheter 3 is also advancable over the guidewire 99 for retrieval of the filter 1 , the retrieval catheter 3 having a distal end and a proximal end; and engagement elements for engaging the embolic protection filter 1 with the guidewire 99 for retrieval of the filter 1 into the retrieval catheter 3 in the collapsed configuration.

1 - 67 . (canceled)  
   
   
       68 . Apparatus for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a vessel, the apparatus comprising: 
 a guide wire having proximal and distal regions, and proximal and distal stops on the distal region; and    a filter element configured to rotate and translate on the guide wire between the proximal and distal stops,    wherein the filter element and the proximal stop are configured to permit advancement of the filter element from the proximal region by passing in vivo over the proximal stop, the proximal stop thereafter prohibiting proximal retraction of the filter element over the proximal stop.    
   
   
       69 . The apparatus of  claim 68  wherein the distal stop limits translation of the filter element in a distal direction.  
   
   
       70 . The apparatus of  claim 68  wherein the proximal stop has proximal and distal ends and a taper disposed therebetween.  
   
   
       71 . The apparatus of  claim 70  wherein the proximal end has a first diameter that is less than a second diameter of the distal end.  
   
   
       72 . The apparatus of  claim 70  wherein the filter element comprises a compliant member configured to pass over the proximal stop.  
   
   
       73 . The apparatus of  claim 68  wherein the proximal stop and distal stop are spaced apart such a distance that the filter element, when deployed therebetween, will not be disturbed by incidental longitudinal movements of the guide wire.  
   
   
       74 . The apparatus of  claim 68  wherein the proximal stop is configured to abut against a proximal portion of the filter element, after the filter element is moved to the distal region, when the guide wire is advanced.  
   
   
       75 . The apparatus of  claim 68  further comprising a plurality of self-expanding struts coupled between a capture ring and a filter sac.  
   
   
       76 . The apparatus of  claim 68  wherein the proximal stop comprises at least one depressible tab having proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end is affixed to the guide wire.  
   
   
       77 . The apparatus of  claim 76  wherein the distal end of the depressible tab is biased radially outward from the guide wire in a relaxed state.  
   
   
       78 . The apparatus of  claim 77  wherein the distal end of the depressible tab is configured to abut against the filter element once the filter element is moved to the distal region.  
   
   
       79 . The apparatus of  claim 77  wherein the depressible tab further comprises a contracted state in which the distal end is substantially flush with an exterior surface of the guide wire.  
   
   
       80 . The apparatus of  claim 76  wherein the depressible tab is configured to facilitate distal advancement of the filter element over the proximal stop in the contracted state.  
   
   
       81 . The apparatus of  claim 68  wherein the proximal stop includes a bent section of the guide wire, the bent section including a proximal taper and a distal taper.  
   
   
       82 . The apparatus of  claim 81  wherein the proximal taper comprises a first angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the guide wire and the distal taper comprises a second angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first angle is less than the second angle.  
   
   
       83 . A method for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a vessel, the method comprising: 
 providing apparatus comprising a guide wire having a distal region including a distal stop, a proximal stop disposed proximal of the distal stop, and a filter element disposed for-translation on the guide wire;    transluminally inserting the guide wire into a vessel;    distally advancing the filter element in a contracted state over the proximal stop; and    deploying the filter element, distal of the proximal stop and proximal of the distal stop, to engage a wall of the vessel and filter emboli out of blood flowing through the vessel.    
   
   
       84 . The method of  claim 83  further comprising advancing a treatment device along the guide wire to treat a portion of the vessel proximal of the location of the filter element, wherein incidental rotation or translation of the guide wire relative to the filter element does not displace the filter element.  
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 84  further comprising a step of, after use of the treatment device is completed, pulling the guide wire proximally so that the distal stop engages the filter element and causes the filter element to return to the contracted state.  
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 83  further comprising: 
 distally advancing the guide wire; and    causing the proximal stop to abut and urge the filter element distally.    
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 83  wherein providing apparatus comprising a proximal stop comprises providing a taper on the guide wire, the method further comprising: 
 distally advancing the filter element in the contracted state over the taper; and    causing a distal end of the taper to abut and reposition the filter element when the guide wire is advanced distally by a physician.    
   
   
       88 . The method of  claim 83  wherein providing apparatus comprising a proximal stop comprises providing a bent section of the guide wire having proximal and distal tapers, the method further comprising: 
 distally advancing the filter element in the contracted state over the proximal and distal tapers; and    causing the distal taper to abut and reposition the filter element when the guide wire is advanced distally by a physician.    
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 83  wherein providing apparatus comprising a proximal stop comprises providing at least one depressible tab having a proximal end affixed to the guide wire and a distal end, the method further comprising: 
 providing the depressible tab in a relaxed state wherein the distal end is biased radially outward from an exterior surface of the guide wire;    distally advancing the filter element over the depressible tab to cause the distal end of the depressible tab to be substantially flush with the exterior surface of the guide wire; and    returning the depressible tab to the relaxed state after the filter element is advanced distal of the proximal stop.    
   
   
       90 . A method for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a vessel, the method comprising: 
 providing apparatus comprising a guide wire having a distal region including a distal stop, a proximal stop disposed proximal of the distal stop, and a filter element disposed for translation on the guide wire, the filter element and proximal stop being configured to prohibit proximal retraction of the filter element over the proximal stop;    transluminally inserting the guide wire into a vessel;    distally advancing the filter element in a contracted state over the proximal stop; and    deploying the filter element, distal of the proximal stop and proximal of the distal stop, to engage a wall of the vessel and filter emboli out of blood flowing through the vessel.