Method and apparatus for emboli containment

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a catheter for use in an emboli containment system. In one embodiment, the catheter includes a flexible elongate member having self-expanding sealing means mounted on its distal extremity. This self-expanding sealing means can take any suitable form, such as a braided structure formed of a suitable shape memory material such as a nickel titanium alloy. In order to prevent abrasion of a vessel, it is desirable to cover the braided structure with a covering of a suitable material such as a polymer which extends over the braided structure and which moves with the braided structure as it expands and contracts.

1 . An apparatus for emboli containment, the apparatus comprising: 
 a flexible elongate member having a proximal extremity and a distal extremity;    a self-expanding member disposed about the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member, the self-expanding member having a compressed state and an expanded state;    a sleeve comprising: 
 a proximal extremity, a distal extremity, and a sleeve bore extending from the proximal extremity of the sleeve to the distal extremity of the sleeve and being sized to receive the flexible elongate member and to cover the self-expanding member to maintain the self-expanding member in its compressed state; and  
 a collar located at the proximal extremity of the sleeve; and  
   an aspiration catheter having a proximal extremity, a distal extremity, and an aspiration lumen extending between the proximal extremity of the aspiration catheter and the distal extremity of the aspiration catheter, the aspiration catheter adapted to move in coaxial relation to the flexible elongate member.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the self-expanding member comprises a braided structure.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the braided structure is at least partially covered by a polymer.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the self-expanding member at least partially defines an opening at least in the expanded state.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein a polymer extends across the opening and at least partially prevents emboli from moving downstream.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the self-expanding member comprises a support structure.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein a polymer extends between the support structure and the flexible elongate member.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the self-expanding member is configured to form a sealing engagement with the wall of the vessel when the self-expanding member is in its expanded state.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for emboli containment comprising: 
 a flexible elongate member having a proximal extremity and a distal extremity;    a self-expanding member comprising a support structure at least partially defining an opening at least in the expanded state and a polymer extending across the opening, the self-expanding member disposed about the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member, the self-expanding member having an expanded state and a compressed state; and    a sleeve comprising a proximal extremity, a distal extremity, and a sleeve bore extending from the proximal extremity of the sleeve to the distal extremity of the sleeve and being sized to receive the flexible elongate member and to cover the self-expanding member to maintain the self-expanding member in its compressed state.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve further comprises a collar located at the proximal extremity of the sleeve.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the collar is configured to couple with the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate member to prevent motion of the sleeve relative to the flexible elongate member during insertion of the apparatus.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a treatment catheter having a proximal extremity and a distal extremity, the treatment catheter adapted to move in coaxial relation to the flexible elongate member.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the treatment catheter is an aspiration catheter.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the treatment catheter is a balloon catheter.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the polymer at least partially prevents emboli from moving downstream.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible elongate member is configured so that the sleeve can be maintained on the flexible elongate member when the treatment catheter is on the flexible elongate member.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the self-expanding member is configured to form a sealing engagement with the wall of the vessel when the self-expanding member is in its expanded state.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus for emboli containment, the apparatus comprising: 
 a flexible elongate member having a proximal extremity and a distal extremity;    a metallic member disposed about the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member, the metallic member having an expanded state and a compressed state;    a first treatment catheter having a proximal extremity and a distal extremity; and    a second treatment catheter having a proximal extremity and a distal extremity;    wherein the first treatment catheter is adapted to be delivered in coaxial relation to the flexible elongate member and then removed from the flexible elongate member and the second treatment catheter is adapted to be delivered in coaxial relation to the flexible elongate member and then removed from the flexible elongate member following the removal of the first treatment catheter from the proximal end of the flexible elongate member.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the metallic member comprises a braided structure.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the braided structure is at least partially covered by a polymer.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the metallic member at least partially defines an opening at least in the expanded state.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein a polymer extends across the opening and at least partially prevents emboli from moving downstream.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the metallic member comprises a support structure.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein a polymer extends between the support structure and the flexible elongate member.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the metallic member is configured to form a sealing engagement with the wall of the vessel when the metallic member is in its expanded state.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a third treatment catheter having a proximal extremity and a distal extremity, the third treatment catheter adapted to be delivered in coaxial relation to the flexible elongate member and then removed from the flexible elongate member, wherein the third treatment catheter is delivered following the removal of the second treatment catheter from the proximal end of the flexible elongate member.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the first treatment catheter is a balloon dilatation catheter.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the third treatment catheter is a balloon dilatation catheter.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of either the first treatment catheter or second treatment catheter is an aspiration catheter.