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 . An embolic protection system, comprising:
 a support element for delivery through a vascular system of a patient;   a filter element associated with the support element, the filter element being movable between a collapsed stored position for movement through the vascular system and an expanded position for occluding a blood vessel such that blood passing through the blood vessel is delivered through the filter element but embolic material in the blood is retained in the filter element;   a catheter that maintains the filter element in the collapsed stored position; and   a shrink wrap, the shrink wrap releasably fixing the catheter to the support element to prevent movement of the catheter relative to the support element during manipulation, but being removable to allow for proximal movement of the catheter with respect to the support element.   
   
   
       2 . The embolic protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the shrink wrap covers at least a portion of the support element. 
   
   
       3 . The embolic protection system of  claim 2 , wherein release of the shrink wrap allows the catheter to be withdrawn. 
   
   
       4 . The embolic protection system of  claim 3 , wherein the filter element is fixed to the support element. 
   
   
       5 . The embolic protection system of  claim 2 , further comprising a peel-away tab provided on the shrink wrap. 
   
   
       6 . The embolic protection system of  claim 5 , wherein peeling of the peel-away tab breaks a shrink wrap joint of the shrink wrap. 
   
   
       7 . The embolic protection system of  claim 2 , wherein the shrink wrap comprises a shrink wrap tube. 
   
   
       8 . The embolic protection system of  claim 2 , wherein the support element is a guidewire. 
   
   
       9 . The embolic protection system of  claim 8 , wherein the guidewire is a hollow guidewire. 
   
   
       10 . The embolic protection system of  claim 9 , wherein the hollow guidewire comprises a polymeric or metallic tube. 
   
   
       11 . The embolic protection system of  claim 9 , wherein the hollow guidewire comprises a spring. 
   
   
       12 . A method for providing embolic protection, comprising:
 advancing a support element through a vascular system of a patient, wherein a filter element is associated with the support element, the filter element being movable between a collapsed stored position for movement through the vascular system and an expanded position for occluding a blood vessel such that blood passing through the blood vessel is delivered through the filter element but embolic material is retained in the filter element, wherein a catheter maintains the filter element in the collapsed stored position, and wherein shrink wrap releasably fixes the support element to the catheter to prevent movement of the catheter relative to the support element during manipulation, but removable to allow for proximal movement of the catheter with respect to the support element;   releasing the shrink wrap in order to allow the catheter to be withdrawn and thereby expanding the filter element.   
   
   
       13 . The method for providing embolic protection of  claim 12 , wherein the shrink wrap covers at least a portion of the support element. 
   
   
       14 . The method for providing embolic protection of  claim 13 , wherein the filter is fixed to the support element. 
   
   
       15 . The method for providing embolic protection of  claim 13 , wherein releasing the shrink wrap comprises peeling of a peel-away tab provided on the shrink wrap whereby a shrink wrap joint of the shrink wrap tube is broken. 
   
   
       16 . the method for providing embolic protection of  claim 13 . wherein the shrink wrap comprises a shrink wrap tube. 
   
   
       17 . The method for providing embolic protection of  claim 13 , wherein the support element is a guidewire. 
   
   
       18 . The method for providing embolic protection of  claim 17 , wherein the guidewire is a hollow guidewire. 
   
   
       19 . The method for providing embolic protection of  claim 18 , wherein the hollow guidewire comprises a polymeric or metallic tube. 
   
   
       20 . The method for providing embolic protection of  claim 19 . wherein the hollow guidewire comprises a spring.