Vascular device for emboli, thrombus and foreign body removal and methods of use

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a vessel and/or performing thrombectomy and embolectomy, wherein a vascular device comprises one or more support hoops connected near a distal end of a guide wire, each support hoop having an articulation region, and a blood permeable sac affixed to the support hoop or hoops to form a mouth of the blood permeable sac. The mouth of the sac closes when the apparatus is collapsed for removal to prevent material from escaping from the sac.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An embolic protection filtering device, comprising:
 an elongate shaft having a proximal region and a distal region;   a filter affixed to the shaft adjacent the distal region;   a nose assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, the nose assembly affixed to the shaft adjacent to and distal of the filter; and   a delivery sheath slidably disposed over the elongate shaft, the delivery sheath having a first outer diameter along a majority of its length,   wherein the nose assembly has a diameter at its proximal end substantially equal to the first outer diameter of the delivery sheath.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the nose assembly tapers from the proximal end diameter to a smaller diameter at its distal end. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the nose assembly curves from the proximal end diameter to a smaller diameter at its distal end. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the delivery sheath includes a first lumen for the filter and a second lumen for a guidewire. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the second lumen is the same length as the first lumen. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the second lumen is shorter than the first lumen. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the nose assembly includes a guidewire lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the filter includes a hoop and a blood permeable sac. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the delivery sheath includes a hemostatic fitting. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the shaft extends distally from the nose assembly. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus for deploying and retrieving a vascular device disposed on an elongated member from within a lumen of a delivery sheath, the apparatus comprising:
 means for selectively grasping and releasing the elongated member;   and a lumen flushing section coupled to the handle to allow translation and rotation therebetween, the lumen flushing section having a side port in fluid communication with the lumen of the delivery sheath and configured to allow the elongated member to pass therethrough to the handle.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the vascular device further comprises a support hoop attached to a distal region of the elongated member, the support hoop having an articulation region interposed between curved regions, and a blood permeable sac affixed to the support hoop so that the support hoop forms a mouth of the blood permeable sac. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus for filtering emboli or performing thrombectomy or embolectomy, comprising:
 an elongated member having a distal region;   first and second support hoops coupled to the distal region, each one of the first and second support hoops having an articulation region disposed between curved regions; and   a blood permeable sac affixes at its proximal end to the first and second support hoops so that the first and second support hoops define at least in part a proximally facing opening of the blood permeable sac.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a third support hoop. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the blood permeable sac is affixed at its proximal end to the third support hoop. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein each support hoop comprises a wire having a thickness that tapers to a minimum thickness at the articulation region. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the support hoops are folded at their respective articulation regions when the apparatus is in a contracted state. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the opposite sides of each support hoop close towards one another when the apparatus is in a contracted state. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus for filtering emboli or performing thrombectomy or embolectomy, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongated member having a distal region;   a support hoop coupled to the distal region; and   a blood permeable having a first and second thickness of a material at its proximal end to define a lumen between the first and second thicknesses, wherein the support hoop is disposed in the lumen.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the support hoop includes an articulation region comprising a gap interposed between curved spines. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the material of the blood permeable sack includes a plurality of pores having a diameter in a range of 20 to 400 microns.