Method and apparatus for distal protection during a medical procedure

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for providing distal protection during a medical procedure that include a vascular filter having a self-expanding, porous foam body that conformably seals against a vessel wall and captures emboli within one or more recesses. The filter is coupled to a distal region of an elongated member, such as a guide wire. Delivery systems for use with filters of the present invention and methods of using the apparatus of the present invention also are provided.

1 . A method for distal protection during a medical procedure, the method comprising:
 providing a vascular filter adapted for capturing emboli, the vascular filter associated with an elongated member;   disposing the vascular filter in a contracted delivery configuration;   advancing the vascular filter to a target site within a patient's vessel; and   removing a restraint disposed about the contracted filter to expand the vascular filter to an expanded deployed configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein disposing the vascular filter in the contracted delivery configuration further comprises constraining the vascular filter within a delivery system. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein constraining the vascular filter within the delivery system further comprises positioning the vascular filter within a delivery sheath. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the restraint comprises a removable suture. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing an interventional device for performing the medical procedure, the interventional device having a guide wire lumen;   percutaneously and transluminally advancing the interventional device along the elongated member to a position within the patient's vessel proximal of the vascular filter;   performing the medical procedure, the vascular filter capturing emboli released during the procedure within recesses of the vascular filter; and   collapsing the vascular filter within the guide wire lumen of the interventional device for retrieval; and   removing the interventional device and the vascular filter from the patient's vessel.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the interventional device comprises a balloon catheter. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for distal protection, comprising:
 a filter, the filter configured to be movable between a delivery position and an expanded position;   an elongated member, the filter associated with the elongated member and configured for movement relative thereto; and   a suture disposed about the filter when the filter is disposed in the delivery configuration, the suture configured to retain the filter in said delivery configuration.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the filter is longitudinally, but not rotationally, constrained with respect to the elongated member. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the elongated member is a guidewire. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the elongated member is further defined as a hollow elongated member. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the elongated member further includes an aperture formed in wall thereof, the aperture disposed adjacent to the filter, wherein the suture disposed about the filter passes through the aperture and along the length of the elongated member. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the filter includes a resiliently expandable foam body. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the filter includes at least one support member associated with the foam body. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the foam body comprises a sponge-like material having at least one pore formed therein.