Embolic protection system

Abstract

A catheter system 1 has an internal reception space for an embolic protection filter 10 to enable the filter 10 to be transported through a vasculature 20 and a treatment means such as a stent 15 to facilitate treatment. The catheter system may be used for retrieval of a filter 10 and stenting of a lesion with a stent 15 . The procedure may also involve post dilatation using an on-board balloon 16.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A catheter having an expansible internal reception space for receiving an embolic protection filter and for transporting the filter through a vasculature; and the catheter comprising a treatment device to facilitate treatment of a site in a vasculature,
 wherein the catheter has an outer tubular body and an inner member extending at least partially through the outer body, the outer body having an expansible distal tip, and the inner member being movable proximally relative to the outer body from an introduction configuration to a retrieval configuration to facilitate retrieval of an embolic protection filter into the reception space;   the inner member has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the inner member has a first constant diameter, and the distal end of the inner member has a second constant diameter, the first constant diameter being larger than the second constant diameter;   a distal tip of the inner member tapers distally inwardly, the inwardly tapering distal tip of the inner member being located on the inner member at a location distal of the treatment device during the introduction configuration, the treatment device is mounted on the distal end of the inner member, and a diameter of the distal tip is greater than the diameter second constant diameter;   the filter is separate from and slidable relative to the inner member and the outer tubular body;   a distal end of the distal tip provides a proximal stop for the filter; and   the distal tip is adapted to slide completely within the outer body in the introduction configuration.   
     
     
         2 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the catheter comprises a delivery catheter. 
     
     
         3 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the catheter defines a guidewire lumen extending at least partially therethrough for passing the catheter over a guidewire,
 wherein the guidewire lumen extends only partially through the catheter to facilitate passing the catheter over a guidewire in a rapid exchange manner. 
 
     
     
         4 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein in the introduction configuration, the treatment device protrudes from a distal end of the outer body. 
     
     
         5 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the treatment device is at least partially provided on the outer tubular body. 
     
     
         6 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the treatment device is provided at a necked down portion of the outer tubular body. 
     
     
         7 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the catheter comprises a cover around the treatment device in the introduction configuration. 
     
     
         8 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the cover is moveable proximally to uncover the treatment device. 
     
     
         9 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the cover comprises a sheath. 
     
     
         10 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the sheath extends along the full length of the outer tubular body. 
     
     
         11 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein a distal end of the sheath tapers distally inwardly. 
     
     
         12 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the filter has a proximal and a distal end, inlet openings being positioned at the proximal end and outlet holes being positioned at the distal end. 
     
     
         13 . A catheter system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the filter element has a proximal and a distal end, inlet openings being positioned at the distal end and outlet holes being positioned at the proximal end. 
     
     
         14 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the filter is a self-expanding filter. 
     
     
         15 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the treatment device is a self-expanding stent. 
     
     
         16 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the treatment device is a balloon expandable stent. 
     
     
         17 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner member is movable distally relative to the outer body to deploy the filter from within the reception space. 
     
     
         18 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner member comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         19 . A method for carrying out a procedure at a treatment site in a vasculature, comprising:
 providing the catheter as claimed in  claim 1 ;   advancing the catheter to a treatment site in the vasculature;   deploying the treatment device; and   retrieving the filter into the reception space of the catheter after completion of the procedure.   
     
     
         20 . A method for carrying out a procedure at a treatment site in a vasculature, comprising:
 delivering the filter to the treatment site within the reception site; and   deploying the filter before the deploying the treatment device.