Embolic protection device

Abstract

An embolic protection device has a collapsible filter element ( 105 ) mounted on a carrier such as a guidewire ( 101 ). The filter element ( 105 ) collapses into the outer end of a catheter ( 118 ) for deployment and retrieval through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element ( 105 ) has a collapsible filter body with a proximal inlet end and a distal outlet end. The proximal inlet end has inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. The outlet end has outlet openings which allow through passage of blood but retain embolic material within the filter body. After use, the catheter ( 118 ) is movable along the guidewire ( 101 ) to engage the proximal end of the filter element and close the inlet openings before sliding over the filter element from the proximal end to the distal end to progressively collapse the filter body on the guidewire ( 101 ) for retrieval. The filter element ( 105 ) may conveniently be mounted on a tubular sleeve ( 104 ) which is slidable and rotatable on the guidewire ( 101 ) between spaced-apart stops ( 106, 120 ) on the guidewire ( 101 ) which allows some manipulation of the guidewire independently of the filter when the filter is in use.

1 - 42 . (canceled)  
   
   
       43 . An embolic protection device, comprising: 
 an elongate wire member having a proximal end and a distal end;    a filter coupled proximal the distal end of the elongate wire member, the filter having a wire loop adjacent the proximal end of the filter, the wire loop coupled to a proximally open mouth and a filter portion disposed distally of the proximally open mouth, the mouth having a center of cross-sectional area, the filter being eccentrically coupled on the elongate member such that the center of cross-sectional area is disposed to one side of the elongate wire member.    
   
   
       44 . The embolic protection device of  claim 43  wherein the loop is substantially radiopaque.  
   
   
       45 . An embolic protection device, comprising: 
 a guidewire having a distal region and a stop on the distal region;    a tubular shaft threaded over the guidewire; and    a filter element configured to capture, retain, and remove embolic material, comprising 
 a filter membrane; and  
 a support structure, wherein the support structure is joined to the tubular shaft and wherein the filter element and tubular shaft are threaded over the guidewire to a required location,  
   wherein the filter element is expanded to a deployed position at the required location.    
   
   
       46 . The device according to  claim 45 , wherein the filter element includes at least one inlet opening at a proximal end of the filter element and at least one outlet opening towards a distal end of the filter element.  
   
   
       47 . The device according to  claim 45 , wherein the filter element is adapted to move independently of the guidewire in the deployed position.  
   
   
       48 . The device according to  claim 45 , wherein the tubular shaft extends substantially the entire length of the filter element.  
   
   
       49 . The device according to  claim 45 , wherein the tubular shaft comprises at least two tubular portions which are spaced-apart along the longitudinal axis of the guidewire.  
   
   
       50 . The device according to  claim 46 , wherein the at least one inlet opening of the filter in the deployed position is angled towards the distal end of the filter element.  
   
   
       51 . The device according to  claim 46 , wherein the at least one inlet opening is a single fluid inlet.  
   
   
       52 . The device according to  claim 45 , wherein the support structure is coupled to the tubular shaft.  
   
   
       53 . The device according to  claim 45 , wherein the tubular shaft defines an abutment for engagement by a deployer.