Method and device for filtering body fluid

Abstract

Medical devices for filtering fluids flowing through a lumen and a method of forming medical devices. The devices can be used in vascular channels, urinary tracts, biliary ducts and the like, and filter emboli and other debris generated at a treatment site.

1 . A system for filtering emboli at a desired site from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the wall of a vessel comprising:
 a guidewire;   a filter carried by the guidewire, the filter being expandable from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration and being collapsible from the deployed configuration to a retrieval configuration; and   a balloon catheter having a lumen configured for delivery of the filter carried by the guidewire in the delivery configuration to the desired site in the vessel, and having a distal portion configured for retrieval of the filter carried by the guidewire from the vessel in the retrieval configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the filter comprises nitinol. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the filter has a shape in the expanded configuration which defines a cavity having a proximally facing opening 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the filter is mounted on a distal region of the guidewire. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the guidewire comprises a solid material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the guidewire comprises metal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the guidewire comprises a tapered portion.