Delivery and retrieval manifold for a distal protection filter

Abstract

Devices and methods for delivery or retrieval of a distal protection device. A distal protection assembly may comprise an outer sheath, an inner shaft disposed within a lumen of the outer sheath, a distal protection device disposed at a distal end of the inner shaft; and a manifold coupled to a proximal end of the outer sheath that is adapted for moving the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A distal protection assembly, comprising: 
 an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;    an inner shaft disposed within the lumen, the inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;    a distal protection device disposed at the distal end of the inner shaft;    a manifold coupled to the proximal end of the inner shaft, the manifold including an actuator assembly; and    the actuator assembly coupled to the proximal end of the outer sheath and capable of moving the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft.    
     
     
         2 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a filter.  
     
     
         3 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a mesh.  
     
     
         4 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a strut.  
     
     
         5 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a rib.  
     
     
         6 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly includes a button.  
     
     
         7 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the button is longitudinally movable.  
     
     
         8 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 6 , further comprising an actuator retention cover.  
     
     
         9 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the actuation assembly includes a gear.  
     
     
         10 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 9 , further comprising a proximal tubular member coupled to the outer sheath.  
     
     
         11 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the proximal tubular member further comprises teeth.  
     
     
         12 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the gear is engagable with the teeth.  
     
     
         13 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the actuator assembly further comprises a thumbwheel coupled to the gear.  
     
     
         14 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the actuator assembly further comprises a button coupled to the gear.  
     
     
         15 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein pressing the button moves the outer sheath distally relative to the inner shaft.  
     
     
         16 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein pressing the button moves the outer sheath proximally relative to the inner shaft.  
     
     
         17 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the button is axially rotatable.  
     
     
         18 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein axial rotation of the button results in movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft.  
     
     
         19 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the actuation assembly further comprises a second gear and a second button.  
     
     
         20 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein pressing the second button moves the outer tube in a direction that is opposite to pressing the first button.  
     
     
         21 . A distal protection assembly, comprising: 
 an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending therethrough, and a proximal tubular member tube coupled to the proximal end;    the proximal tubular member including teeth;    an inner shaft disposed within the lumen, the inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;    a distal protection device disposed at the distal end of the inner shaft;    a manifold coupled to the proximal end of the inner shaft, the manifold including an actuator assembly;    the actuator assembly having a gear that is engagable with the teeth; and    wherein the actuator assembly is coupled to the proximal tubular member and capable of moving the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft.    
     
     
         22 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a filter.  
     
     
         23 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a mesh.  
     
     
         24 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a strut.  
     
     
         25 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a rib.  
     
     
         26 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the actuation assembly includes a thumbwheel coupled to the gear.  
     
     
         27 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the actuator assembly further comprises a button coupled to the gear.  
     
     
         28 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein pressing the button moves the outer sheath distally relative to the inner shaft.  
     
     
         29 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein pressing the button moves the outer sheath proximally relative to the inner shaft.  
     
     
         30 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the button is axially rotatable.  
     
     
         31 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein axial rotation of the button results in movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft.  
     
     
         32 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the actuation assembly further comprises a second gear and a second button.  
     
     
         33 . The distal protection assembly in accordance with  claim 32 , wherein pressing the second button moves the outer tube in a direction that is opposite to pressing the button.  
     
     
         34 . A method of actuating a distal protection assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a distal protection assembly including an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough; an inner shaft disposed within the lumen, the inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a distal protection device disposed at the distal end of the inner shaft; a manifold coupled to the proximal end of the inner shaft, the manifold including an actuator assembly; and the actuator assembly coupled to the proximal end of the outer sheath and capable of moving the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft;    actuating the actuator assembly; and    wherein actuating the actuator assembly shifts the distal protection device between a delivery position and a retrieval position.    
     
     
         35 . The method in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein the step of actuating the actuator assembly further comprises collapsing the distal protection device.  
     
     
         36 . The method in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein the step of actuating the actuator assembly further comprises expanding the distal protection device.  
     
     
         37 . The method in accordance with  claim 34 , wherein the actuator assembly includes a gear.  
     
     
         38 . The method in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein the gear is engageable with a proximal tubular member disposed at the distal end of the outer sheath.  
     
     
         39 . The method in accordance with  claim 38 , wherein the step of actuating the actuator assembly further comprises rotating a thumbwheel coupled to the gear.  
     
     
         40 . The method in accordance with  claim 38 , wherein the actuator assembly further comprises a button coupled to the gear and wherein the step of actuating the actuator assembly includes pressing the button.  
     
     
         41 . The method in accordance with  claim 40 , wherein the step of pressing the button results in the outer sheath moving distally relative to the inner shaft.  
     
     
         42 . The method in accordance with  claim 40 , wherein the step of pressing the button results in the outer sheath moving proximally relative to the inner shaft.  
     
     
         43 . The method in accordance with  claim 40 , wherein the actuator assembly further comprises a second gear and a second button coupled to the proximal tubular member and wherein the step of actuating the actuator further comprises pressing the second button.  
     
     
         44 . The method in accordance with  claim 43 , wherein pressing the second button moves the outer tube in a direction that is opposite to pressing the button.  
     
     
         45 . The method in accordance with  claim 38 , wherein the step of actuating the actuator assembly includes axially rotating a button and wherein rotating the button results in movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft.