Embolic protection system

Abstract

An embolic protection system having a guidewire for advancing through a vasculature; an embolic protection filter having a filter body with a distal end and a proximal end, the filter body providing for a collapsed configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The embolic protection filter body has a guidewire path for slidably receiving the guidewire to permit movement of the filter relative to the guidewire when the filter 1 is in the collapsed configuration and the expanded deployed configuration. A delivery catheter is advanceable over the guidewire for delivery of the embolic protection filter. A retrieval catheter is also advancable over the guidewire for retrieval of the filter, and engagement elements are used for engaging the embolic protection filter with the guidewire for retrieval of the filter into the retrieval catheter in the collapsed configuration.

1 - 67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . A vascular filter, comprising:
 an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, and including a lumen for receiving a guidewire therethrough;
 an expandable frame attached to the elongate member, the expandable frame being capable of assuming a collapsed condition and an enlarged condition; 
 a filter material attached to the expandable frame, the filter material having an open proximal end when the expandable frame assumes its enlarged condition; and 
 a connector on the proximal end of the elongate member for detachably securing the vascular filter to a delivery device. 
   
     
     
         69 . The vascular filter of  claim 68 , wherein the expandable frame is biased to assume its enlarged condition. 
     
     
         70 . The vascular filter of  claim 68 , wherein the expandable frame comprises a plurality of struts, each strut having first and second ends, the first end of each strut being attached to the elongate member. 
     
     
         71 . The vascular filter of  claim 70 , further comprising a collar slidable on the elongate member, the second end of each strut being attached to the collar. 
     
     
         72 . The vascular filter of  claim 70 , wherein each of the struts includes an intermediate region biased to bow outward from the elongate member. 
     
     
         73 . The vascular filter of  claim 72 , wherein the proximal end of the filter material is attached to the intermediate region. 
     
     
         74 . An apparatus for filtering a fluid flowing in a blood vessel, comprising:
 a vascular filter including an expandable frame capable of assuming collapsed and enlarged conditions, and a filter material attached to the expandable frame;   a tubular sheath having a proximal end, a distal end for insertion into a blood vessel, and a lumen having an opening at the distal end, the lumen having a size for slidably receiving the vascular filter therein when the expandable frame is in its collapsed condition; and   an elongate retrieval member having a distal end deployable from the distal end of the tubular sheath, the retrieval member, having a connector on its distal end for securing the vascular filter thereto.   
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , further comprising an elongate bumper member insertable into the lumen of the tubular sheath, the bumper member including a distal end configured for advancing the vascular filter received in the lumen through the opening beyond the distal end of the tubular sheath. 
     
     
         76 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein the lumen comprises an enlarged distal lumen region having a length at least as long as a length of the vascular filter. 
     
     
         77 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein the retrieval member comprises a tubular body having a lumen therein, the tubular body being insertable into the lumen of the tubular sheath. 
     
     
         78 . The apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein the lumen of the tubular body comprises an enlarged recess adjacent its distal end having a size for receiving a proximal end of the vascular filter therein. 
     
     
         79 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the connector comprises an expandable member in the enlarged recess, the expandable member being expandable into the enlarged recess for engaging the proximal end of the tubular member received therein. 
     
     
         80 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the connector comprises a mechanically actuated collar, the collar being actuable to reduce its diameter, thereby engaging the proximal end of the elongate member. 
     
     
         81 . A system for delivering an embolic filtering device used to filter embolic particles into a body vessel, comprising:
 a guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end;   a strut assembly having a filter member attached thereto, the strut assembly including a collar having a lumen formed therein which allows the strut assembly to slide over the guide wire, the collar having a fitting located within the lumen; and   a locking fitting located near the distal end of the guide wire and formed integrally with the guide wire, the locking fitting having an outer surface which is substantially flush with the outer surface of the guide wire and including an annular recess which extends into the outer surface of the locking fitting for engaging the fitting of the collar.   
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 81 , further including a delivery catheter adapted to cover the strut assembly and having a support structure which allows the strut assembly and filter member to be moved from a proximal position to a distal position where the collar of the strut assembly can be locked to the locking fitting on the guide wire. 
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the delivery catheter is a rapid-exchange type catheter. 
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 81 , wherein the fittings of the collar and guide wire are locked in a snap engagement. 
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 81 , wherein the fitting on the collar of the strut assembly is a tab which extends from the surface of the lumen. 
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the tab of the fitting on the collar of the strut assembly extends into the recess of the locking fitting. 
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the tab of the fitting of the collar rotates within the recess of the locking fitting. 
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 81 , wherein the strut assembly rotates about the guide wire. 
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 88 , wherein the fitting on the collar of the strut assembly is adapted to rotate within the locking fitting of the guide wire. 
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 81 , wherein the fitting of the collar is a ring which extends from the surface of the lumen of the collar. 
     
     
         91 . A system for delivering an embolic filtering device used to filter embolic particles into a body vessel, comprising:
 a guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end;   a strut assembly having a filter member attached thereto, the strut assembly including a collar having a lumen formed therein which allows the strut assembly to slide over the guide wire, the collar having a fitting located within the lumen;   a locking fitting attached near the distal end of the guide wire for engaging the fitting of the collar, the locking fitting having an outer surface which is substantially flush with the outer surface of the guide wire and including an annular recess which extends into the outer surface of the locking fitting for engaging the fitting of the collar; and   a rapid-exchange delivery catheter for moving the strut assembly and filter member over the guide wire.   
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the fittings of the collar and guide wire are locked in a snap engagement. 
     
     
         93 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the fitting on the collar of the strut assembly is a tab which extends from the surface of the lumen. 
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the strut assembly rotates about the guide wire. 
     
     
         95 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the fitting on the collar of the strut assembly is adapted to rotate within the locking fitting of the guide wire. 
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the fitting of the collar is a ring which extends from the surface of the lumen of the collar. 
     
     
         97 . A system for delivering an embolic filtering device used to filter embolic particles into a body vessel, comprising:
 a guide wire;   a strut assembly including a filter member attached thereto and a fitting, the strut assembly being slidable over the guide wire; and   a locking fitting integrally formed with the guide wire, the locking fitting having an outer surface substantially flush with the outer surface of the guide wire and including a recess extending into the outer surface of the locking fitting which engages the fitting of the strut assembly for locking the strut assembly to the guide wire.