Intravascular Devices And Delivery Systems And Uses Thereof

Abstract

In general, the invention features an intravascular device, a delivery system, and methods for filtering or deflecting emboli or other large objects from entering a protected secondary vessel or vessels The intravascular device of the invention may prevent passage of a particle in a blood vessel from passing through a filter supported by a frame, upper and lower stabilizers, and a wire. The wire may be used to stabilize the device upon its deployment and installation within a blood vessel. Further, in some embodiments, the invention features a delivery system and methods for introduction of the device into a blood vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An intravascular device for deflecting emboli comprising:
 a frame having a length;   an embolic filter attached to and extending the length of the frame;   a wire configured to run along the length of said filter from a proximal portion to a distal portion, wherein a distal end of the wire extends further than a distal end of the frame; and,   wherein the frame is connected to the wire by a connector extending between a proximal end of the frame and a point on the wire proximal of the proximal end of the filter.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wire is arranged to exert a force on at least one of the frame and the filter when deployed in an aorta of a subject. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is attached to the wire only at the proximal portion of the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the frame defines the shape of the filter and the frame is suitable to be held in contact with both an ascending and a descending aorta. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wire is configured to exert a force upward from a horizontal plane of the filter. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wire comprises at least one lumen. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a guide wire positioned within the at least one lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wire comprises an attached protected lip. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the wire comprises a dilator tip. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 an intravascular device for deflecting emboli comprising:   a frame having a length;   an embolic filter attached to and extending the length of the frame;   a wire configured to run along the length of said filter from a proximal portion to a distal portion, and wherein a distal end of the wire extends further than a distal end of the frame; and   wherein the frame is connected to the wire by a connector extending between a proximal end of the frame and a point on the wire proximal of the proximal end of the filter; and,   an introducer sheath having a lumen for introduction of the intravascular device to an aorta of a subject.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the introducer sheath comprises a braided or coiled material. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a deflector. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a pigtail catheter. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pigtail catheter further comprises a blunted tip. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pigtail catheter, the wire, and the device are loaded into a single lumen of the introducer sheath. 
     
     
         16 . An intravascular device for deflecting emboli comprising:
 a frame having a length;   an embolic filter attached to and extending the length of the frame;   a wire configured to run along the length of said filter from a proximal portion to a distal portion, and a distal end of the wire extends further than a distal end of the frame; and   wherein the frame is attached to the wire only at the proximal portion of the frame.