Embolic protection system

Abstract

An embolic protection filter for deployment in a vasculature, the filter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter, and the outlet end of the filter having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter. The filter is movable between a collapsed configuration for movement through a vasculature, and an outwardly extended configuration for deployment in a vasculature. The filter at least in the collapsed configuration was a guidewire lumen defined at least partially therethrough for passing the filter over a guidewire. The guidewire lumen is defined by a lumen-defining member which is spaced proximally of the distal end of the filter.

1 . An embolic protection filter for deployment in a vasculature, the filter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter, and the outlet end of the filter having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter; 
 the filter being movable between a collapsed configuration for movement through a vasculature, and an outwardly extended configuration for deployment in a vasculature;    the filter at least in the collapsed configuration having a guidewire lumen defined at least partially therethrough for passing the filter over a guidewire;    wherein the guidewire lumen is defined by a lumen-defining member which is spaced proximally of the distal end of the filter.    
     
     
         2 . A filter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the guidewire lumen is defined by a tubular member.  
     
     
         3 . A filter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tubular member is mounted to the filter.  
     
     
         4 . A filter as claimed in any of claims  1  wherein the filter comprises a snare engaging feature.  
     
     
         5 . A filter as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the snare engaging feature is radiopaque.  
     
     
         6 . An embolic protection filter for deployment in a vasculature, the filter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter, and the outlet end of the filter having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter; 
 the filter being movable between a collapsed configuration for movement through a vasculature, and an outwardly extended configuration for deployment in a vasculature;    the filter at least in the collapsed configuration having a guidewire lumen defined at least partially therethrough for passing the filter over a guidewire;    wherein the guidewire lumen is defined by a lumen-defining member which is movable or removable reactive to the filter.    
     
     
         7 . A filter as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the lumen-defining member is a substantially tubular member.  
     
     
         8 . A filter as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the tubular member has a slit extending the length thereof for removal of the member from a guidewire.  
     
     
         9 . A filter as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the lumen-defining member comprises a portion of a delivery system.  
     
     
         10 . A filter as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the lumen-defining member comprises a pusher element of the delivery system, the pusher being movable from an extended lumen-defining configuration for loading of a filter to a retracted configuration for deployment of the filter.  
     
     
         11 . An embolic protection filter for deployment in a vasculature, the filter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter, and the outlet end of the filter having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter; 
 the filter being movable between a collapsed configuration for movement through a vasculature, and an outwardly extended configuration for deployment in a vasculature in apposition with a vasculature wall;    in the outwardly extended configuration the filter exerting an outward radial force on a vasculature wall sufficient to retain the filter in position against substantial longitudinal movement.    
     
     
         12 . A filter as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the filter comprises a filter body and a filter support frame to support the filter body in the outwardly extended configuration in apposition with a vasculature wall, the filter support frame providing the outward radial force.  
     
     
         13 . A filter as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the filter comprises a low-friction outer layer.  
     
     
         14 . A filter as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the outer layer is of a hydrophilic material.  
     
     
         15 . A filter as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the filter comprises an inflatable member to enhance the outward radial force.  
     
     
         16 . A filter as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the filter defines a guidewire lumen for passing the filter over a guidewire.  
     
     
         17 . A filter as claimed in  claim 11  comprising an anchor for fixing the filter to the vasculature in the deployed configuration.  
     
     
         18 . A filter as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the filter comprises a filter body and a filter support frame to support the filter body in the deployed configuration.  
     
     
         19 . A filter as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the support frame comprises the anchor.  
     
     
         20 . A filter as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the filter body comprises the anchor.  
     
     
         21 . A filter as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the anchor comprises a plurality of anchor elements.  
     
     
         22 . A filter as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the anchor elements are spaced-apart circumferentially around the filter when the filter is in the deployed configuration.  
     
     
         23 . A filter as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the support frame comprises at least one support hoop.  
     
     
         24 . A filter as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the support frame has a longitudinal aspect.  
     
     
         25 . A filter as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the filter is self supported in a vasculature in the absence of a guidewire.  
     
     
         26 . An embolic protection filter assembly for deployment in a vasculature, the assembly comprising: 
 a filter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter, and the outlet end of the filter having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter; and    a receiver to guide a docking device into association with the filter.    
     
     
         27 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the filter has a guidewire lumen for passing the filter over a guidewire, and the receiver is configured to guide a guidewire into the guidewire lumen.  
     
     
         28 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the guidewire lumen extends only partially through the filter.  
     
     
         29 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the receiver is configured to guide a coupling member towards the filter for coupling to the filter.  
     
     
         30 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the receiver comprises a funnel.  
     
     
         31 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 30  wherein the funnel is movable between a collapsed configuration for movement through a vasculature, and an outwardly extended configuration for guiding a docking device.  
     
     
         32 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the funnel is biased towards the outwardly extended configuration.  
     
     
         33 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the funnel comprises a funnel body and a funnel support to support the funnel body in the outwardly extended configuration.  
     
     
         34 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the funnel body comprises a membrane.  
     
     
         35 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the funnel support comprises a plurality of pivotable fingers.  
     
     
         36 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the receiver comprises an approach channel.  
     
     
         37 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 36  wherein the channel is provided by a lumen in a catheter.  
     
     
         38 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the receiver is mounted to the filter.  
     
     
         39 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 38  wherein the receiver is detachably mounted to the filter.  
     
     
         40 . A filter assembly as claimed in claims  26  wherein the receiver is separate from the filter.  
     
     
         41 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 40  wherein the receiver has means to space the receiver from the wall of a vasculature.  
     
     
         42 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 41  wherein the spacing means comprises an inflatable member to engage the wall of a vasculature.  
     
     
         43 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the receiver is at least partially provided by a wall of the filter.  
     
     
         44 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the receiver is at least partially provided by a wall of the filter at the inlet end of the filter.  
     
     
         45 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the receiver is at least partially provided by a wall of the filter at the outlet end of the filter.  
     
     
         46 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the receiver extends proximally of the inlet end of the filter.  
     
     
         47 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the receiver is located distally of the inlet end of the filter.  
     
     
         48 . A filter assembly as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the receiver is radially offset from the longitudinal axis of the filter.  
     
     
         49 . An embolic protection system comprising: 
 an embolic protection filter assembly as claimed in any of  claims 21  to  43 ; and    a docking device which may be guided by the receiver into association with the filter.    
     
     
         50 . A system as claimed in  claim 49  wherein the docking device comprises a guidewire.  
     
     
         51 . A system as claimed in  claim 50  wherein the docking device comprises a coupling member.  
     
     
         52 . An embolic protection filter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter, and the outlet end of the filter having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter; 
 the filter having a guidewire aperture for passing the filter over a guidewire; and    the filter comprising a seal to seal the guidewire aperture.    
     
     
         53 . A filter as claimed in  claim 52  wherein the seal is self-closing.  
     
     
         54 . A filter as claimed in  claim 52  wherein the seal is located at a proximal end of the filter, and/or at a distal end of the filter.  
     
     
         55 . A filter as claimed in claims  52  wherein the filter has a tubular member extending from the guidewire aperture to define a guidewire lumen through the tubular member.  
     
     
         56 . A filter as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the tubular member extends through at least part of the filter.  
     
     
         57 . A filter as claimed in  claim 55  wherein the tubular member is radially offset from the longitudinal axis of the filter.  
     
     
         58 . A filter as claimed in claims  52  wherein the seal is an annular member around the guidewire aperture, the annular member being closable down to seal the guidewire aperture.  
     
     
         59 . A filter as claimed in  claim 58  wherein the annular member is a tube.  
     
     
         60 . A filter as claimed in  claim 58  wherein the annular member comprises a soft membrane.  
     
     
         61 . A filter as claimed in  claim 58  wherein the annular member comprises two or more circumferentially overlapping flaps.  
     
     
         62 . A retrieval catheter for retrieving a medical device deployed in a vasculature, the catheter comprising: 
 an outer catheter body; and    an inner coupling member having means for coupling to a medical device deployed in a vasculature;    the catheter body being movable distally relative to the coupling member to retrieve a coupled medical device into the catheter body.    
     
     
         63 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the coupling means comprises a male or female member on the coupling member for engagement with a corresponding female or male member on the medical device.  
     
     
         64 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 63  wherein the male member is movable between a low-profile configuration and an outwardly protruding configuration.  
     
     
         65 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 64  wherein the male member is biased towards the outwardly protruding configuration.  
     
     
         66 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 65  wherein the male member is of a resilient material.  
     
     
         67 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 63  wherein the coupling means is substantially arrow-head shaped.  
     
     
         68 . A catheter as claimed in claims  64  wherein the male member is in the form of a hook for hooking around a female member on the medical device.  
     
     
         69 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 64  wherein the male member is in the form of a hook for hooking around a tether arm on the medical device.  
     
     
         70 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 69  wherein the tether arm is at a proximal end of the medical device.  
     
     
         71 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 69  wherein the tether arm is located within the medical device.  
     
     
         72 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the coupling means comprises at least one female member on the coupling member for engagement with at least one male member on the medical device.  
     
     
         73 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 72  wherein the female member is in the form of a loop for looping around a protruding male member on the medical device.  
     
     
         74 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the coupling means comprises a pair of jaws on the coupling member, the jaws being movable between an outwardly protruding configuration and a low-profile configuration to grasp the medical device.  
     
     
         75 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 74  wherein the retrieval catheter comprises an actuator to move the jaws to the outwardly protruding configuration.  
     
     
         76 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 75  wherein the actuator is movable longitudinally relative to the jaws to move the jaws in a camming arrangement to the outwardly protruding configuration.  
     
     
         77 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 75  wherein the jaws are biased towards the low-profile configuration.  
     
     
         78 . A catheter as claimed in claims 74  wherein the catheter body is engageable with the jaws to move the jaws to the low-profile configuration.  
     
     
         79 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 78  wherein the jaws are biased towards the outwardly protruding configuration.  
     
     
         80 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the coupling member is at least partially of a magnetic material for magnetic coupling to an oppositely charged magnetic portion of the medical device.  
     
     
         81 . A catheter as claimed in claims  62  wherein the retrieval catheter comprises means to axially elongate a deployed medical device to collapse the medical device to a low-profile configuration for retrieval into the catheter body.  
     
     
         82 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 81  wherein the elongation means comprises a second coupling member movable relative to the first coupling member to collapse the medical device.  
     
     
         83 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 82  wherein the second coupling member comprises a pusher member movable distally relative to first coupling member to engage a deployed medical device distally of the first coupling means and thereby collapse the medical device.  
     
     
         84 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 62  wherein the catheter body has a guidewire lumen extending partially therethrough for passing the catheter body over a guidewire in a rapid exchange manner.  
     
     
         85 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 84  wherein the guidewire lumen is offset radially from the coupling member.  
     
     
         86 . A retrieval catheter as claimed in  claim 62  for retrieving an embolic protection filter deployed in a vasculature.  
     
     
         87 . An embolic protection filter for deployment in a vasculature, the filter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter, and the outlet end of the filter having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter; 
 the filter being movable between a collapsed configuration for movement through a vasculature, and an outwardly extended configuration for deployment in a vasculature;    the filter at least in the collapsed configuration having a guidewire lumen defined at least partially therethrough for passing the filter over a guidewire;    wherein the guidewire lumen is defined by a lumen-defining member which is spaced proximally of the distal end of the filter.    
     
     
         88 . A filter as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the guidewire lumen is defined by a tubular member.  
     
     
         89 . A filter as claimed in  claim 87  wherein the tubular member is mounted to the filter.  
     
     
         90 . A filter as claimed in claims  87  comprises a snare engaging feature.  
     
     
         91 . A filter as claimed in  claim 80  wherein the snare engaging feature is radiopaque.  
     
     
         92 . A method for the capture and removal of embolic material from a vasculature during an interventional procedure comprising the steps of: 
 providing a collapsible embolic protection filter having a collapsed configuration for delivery of the filter, and a deployed configuration;    advancing a guidewire through a vasculature;    crossing a desired treatment location with the guidewire;    deploying the filter distal to the treatment location;    carrying out an interventional procedure at the treatment location, embolic material generated during the treatment procedure being captured by the deployed filter;    advancing a retrieval device;    engaging the filter with the retrieval device independent of the guidewire; and    withdrawing the retrieval device and the filter from the vasculature.    
     
     
         93 . A method as claimed in  claim 92  wherein after crossing a treatment location with the guidewire the embolic protection device is introduced over the guidewire.  
     
     
         94 . A method as claimed in  claim 92  wherein the deployed filter is retained independent of the guidewire against substantial longitudinal movement.  
     
     
         95 . A method as claimed in  claim 94  wherein on deployment, the filter applies a radial force to the vasculature to substantially prevent movement of the filter relative to the vasculature in the deployed configuration.  
     
     
         96 . A method as claimed in  claim 94  wherein the filter in the deployed configuration is anchored to the vasculature.  
     
     
         97 . A method as claimed in  claim 92  wherein the method comprises the step of releasing the filter from the vasculature before retrieving the filter.  
     
     
         98 . A method as claimed in  claim 92  wherein the filter is simultaneously released and retrieved by moving a retrieval catheter distally relative to the filter.  
     
     
         99 . A method as claimed in  claim 92  wherein the filter is released prior to retrieving the filter.  
     
     
         100 . A method as claimed in  claim 99  wherein the method comprises the step of axially elongating the filter to release the filter.  
     
     
         101 . A method as claimed in  claim 92  wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 withdrawing the guidewire from the filter and/or the desired treatment location; and  
 subsequently placing a guidewire in the filter.  
 
     
     
         102 . A method as claimed in  claim 101  wherein the same guidewire is placed in the filter.  
     
     
         103 . A method as claimed in  claim 101  wherein another guidewire is placed in the filter.  
     
     
         104 . A method as claimed in  claim 101  wherein the interventional device is introduced over the guidewire for carrying out the interventional procedure.  
     
     
         105 . A method as claimed in  claim 92  wherein the interventional procedure comprises a stenting of the treatment location.  
     
     
         106 . A method as claimed in  claim 92  wherein the interventional procedure comprises a balloon angioplasty procedure at the treatment location.  
     
     
         107 . A method for the capture and removal of embolic material from a vasculature during an interventional procedure comprising the steps of: 
 advancing a guidewire through a vasculature;    crossing a desired treatment location with the guidewire;    introducing over the guidewire a collapsible embolic protection filter having a collapsed configuration for delivery of the filter, and a deployed configuration;    deploying the filter distal to the treatment location;    the filter in the deployed configuration being retained in apposition with the vasculature independent of the guidewire against substantial longitudinal movement;    carrying out an interventional procedure at the treatment location, embolic material generated during the treatment procedure being captured by the deployed filter;    advancing a retrieval device;    engaging the filter with the retrieval device; and    withdrawing the retrieval device and the filter from the vasculature.    
     
     
         108 . A method as claimed in  claim 107  wherein on the filter applies a radial force to the vasculature to substantially prevent movement of the filter relative to the vasculature in the deployed configuration.  
     
     
         109 . A method as claimed in  claim 107  wherein the filter in the deployed configuration is anchored to the vasculature.  
     
     
         110 . A method as claimed in  claim 107  wherein the filter is engaged with the retrieval device independent of the guidewire.  
     
     
         111 . A method as claimed in  claim 107  wherein the method comprises the step of releasing the filter from the vasculature before retrieving the filter.  
     
     
         112 . A method as claimed in  claim 107  wherein the retrieval device is a retrieval catheter and the filter is simultaneously released and retrieved by moving the retrieval catheter distally relative to the filter.  
     
     
         113 . A method as claimed in  claim 107  wherein the filter is released prior to retrieving the filter.  
     
     
         114 . A method as claimed in  claim 113  wherein the method comprises the step of axially elongating the filter to release of the filter.  
     
     
         115 . A method as claimed in  claim 107  wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 withdrawing the guidewire from the filter and the desired treatment location; and  
 subsequently placing a guidewire in the filter.  
 
     
     
         116 . A method as claimed in  claim 115  wherein the same guidewire is placed in the filter.  
     
     
         117 . A method as claimed in  claim 115  wherein another guidewire is placed in the filter.  
     
     
         118 . A method as claimed in  claim 116  wherein the interventional device is introduced over the guidewire for carrying out the interventional procedure.  
     
     
         119 . A method as claimed in  claim 107  wherein the interventional procedure comprises a stenting of the treatment location.  
     
     
         120 . A method as claimed in  claim 107  wherein the interventional procedure comprises a balloon angioplasty procedure at the treatment location.  
     
     
         121 . A method for the capture and removal of embolic material from a vasculature during an interventional procedure comprising the steps of: 
 providing a collapsible embolic protection filter having a collapsed configuration for delivery of the filter, and a deployed configuration;    advancing a guidewire through a vasculature;    crossing a desired treatment location with the guidewire;    deploying the filter distal to the treatment location;    withdrawing the guidewire from the filter and/or the desired treatment location; and    subsequently placing a guidewire in the filter;    carrying out an interventional procedure at the treatment location, embolic material generated during the treatment procedure being captured by the deployed filter;    advancing a retrieval device;    engaging the filter with the retrieval device; and    withdrawing the-retrieval device and the filter from the vasculature.    
     
     
         122 . A method as claimed in  claim 121  wherein the same guidewire is placed in the filter.  
     
     
         123 . A method as claimed in  claim 121  wherein another guidewire is placed in the filter.  
     
     
         124 . A method as claimed in  claim 121  wherein the interventional device is introduced over the guidewire for carrying out the interventional procedure.  
     
     
         125 . A method as claimed in  claim 121  wherein the interventional procedure comprises a stenting of the treatment location.  
     
     
         126 . A method as claimed in  claim 121  wherein the interventional procedure comprises a balloon angioplasty procedure at the treatment location.  
     
     
         127 . A method as claimed in  claim 121  wherein the filter is engaged with the retrieval device independent of the guidewire.  
     
     
         128 . A method as claimed in  claim 117  wherein after crossing a treatment location with the guidewire the embolic protection device is introduced over the guidewire.  
     
     
         129 . A method as claimed in  claim 117  wherein the deployed filter is retained independent of the guidewire against substantial longitudinal movement.  
     
     
         130 . A method as claimed in  claim 129  wherein on deployment, the filter applies a radial force to the vasculature to substantially prevent movement of the filter relative to the vasculature in the deployed configuration.  
     
     
         131 . A method as claimed in  claim 129  wherein the filter in the deployed configuration is anchored to the vasculature.  
     
     
         132 . A method as claimed in  claim 121  wherein the method comprises the step of releasing the filter from the vasculature before retrieving the filter.  
     
     
         133 . A method as claimed in  claim 121  wherein the filter is simultaneously released and retrieved by moving a retrieval catheter distally relative to the filter.  
     
     
         134 . A method as claimed in  claim 121  wherein the filter is released prior to retrieving the filter.  
     
     
         135 . A method as claimed in  claim 134  wherein the method comprises the step of axially elongating the filter to release the filter.  
     
     
         136 . A method of retrieving a medical device from a vasculature, the method comprising the steps of: 
 advancing a retrieval catheter through a vasculature until a distal end of the retrieval catheter is proximally of the deployed medical device;    axially elongating an element of the medical device to collapse the medical device; and    moving the retrieval catheter distally relative to the collapsed medical device to retrieve the medical device into the retrieval catheter.    
     
     
         137 . A method as claimed in  claim 136  wherein the method comprises the steps of: 
 engaging a first coupling member with the element of the deployed medical device;  
 engaging a second coupling member with the element of the deployed medical device; and  
 moving the coupling members relative to one another to axially elongate the element of the medical device.  
 
     
     
         138 . An embolic protection filter for deployment in a vasculature, the filter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter, and the outlet end of the filter having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter; 
 the filter being movable between a collapsed configuration for movement through a vasculature, and an outwardly extended configuration for deployment in a vasculature;    the filter at least in the collapsed configuration having a guidewire lumen defined at least partially therethrough for passing the filter over a guidewire;    wherein the tubular member is shortenable upon movement of the filter from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration.    
     
     
         139 . A filter as claimed in  claim 138  wherein the tubular member comprises at least two telescopable tubes.  
     
     
         140 . An embolic protection filter for deployment in a vasculature, the filter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter, and the outlet end of the filter having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter; 
 the filter being movable between a collapsed configuration for movement through a vasculature, and an outwardly extended configuration for deployment in a vasculature;    the filter at least in the collapsed configuration having a guidewire lumen defined at least partially therethrough for passing the filter over a guidewire;    wherein the filter comprises a support structure, in the collapsed configuration the support structure forming a tubular member to define the guidewire lumen.    
     
     
         141 . A method for the capture and removal of embolic material from a vasculature during an interventional procedure comprising the steps of: 
 advancing a guidewire through a vasculature;    crossing a desired treatment location with the guidewire;    introducing over the guidewire a collapsible embolic protection filter having a collapsed configuration for delivery and withdrawal of the filter, and a deployed configuration;    deploying the filter distal to the treatment location;    carrying out an interventional procedure at the treatment location, embolic material generated during the treatment procedure being captured by the deployed filter;    advancing a retrieval catheter;    fixing an abutment to the guidewire;    engaging the guidewire abutment with the filter to prevent movement of the filter distally of the guidewire abutment;    collapsing the filter and retrieving the filter into the retrieval catheter and with it the captured embolic material; and    withdrawing the retrieval catheter and the collapsed filter from the vasculature.    
     
     
         142 . A method as claimed in  claim 141  wherein the abutment is fixed to the guidewire during deployment of the filter.  
     
     
         143 . A method as claimed in  claim 141  wherein the abutment is fixed to the guidewire before advancing the guidewire through the vasculature.  
     
     
         144 . A retrieval catheter for retrieving a medical device deployed in a vasculature, the catheter comprising: 
 a first coupling member having means for coupling to a medical device deployed in a vasculature; and    a second coupling member having means for coupling to the deployed medical device;    the coupling members being relatively movable to axially elongate the medical device and collapse the medical device.    
     
     
         145 . A catheter as claimed in  claim 145  wherein the catheter comprises an outer catheter body movable distally relative to the coupling members to retrieve a collapsed medical device into the catheter body.  
     
     
         146 . An embolic protection filter for deployment in a vasculature, the filter having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter, and the outlet end of the filter having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter; and 
 the filter comprising an inflatable member to exert an outward radial force on a vasculature wall sufficient to retain the filter in position against substantial longitudinal movement.