Sheath tip

Abstract

An embolic protection filter delivery and/or retrieval assembly. In one embodiment the assembly includes a shaft having a filter coupled thereto, a sheath, and a tapering member.

1 . An embolic protection filter assembly, comprising; 
 an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;    an elongate shaft disposed in at least a portion of the lumen, the shaft having a distal end;    an embolic protection filter coupled to the shaft near the distal end thereof; and    a tapering member comprising a nose cone slidably disposed within the lumen near the distal end of the sheath, the tapering member being adapted and configured to shift between a first position and a second position, such that when the tapering member is in the first position, the tapering member provides the outer sheath with a tapered distal tip.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft having a first end connected to the nose cone and a second end disposed proximate the proximal end of the sheath, wherein the second end can be actuated by a user to shift the nose cone between the first position and the second position.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nose cone includes a tapered distal surface.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a marker member coupled to the sheath.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the marker member is coupled to the sheath by folding a portion of the sheath proximally over the marker member.  
   
   
       6 . An embolic protection filter assembly, comprising; 
 an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;    a nose cone slidably disposed within the lumen, the nose cone adapted and configured to shift between a first position wherein a portion of the nose extends out from the distal end of the sheath and a second position wherein the nose cone is shifted proximally within the lumen;    an elongate shaft disposed in at least a portion of the lumen, the shaft having a distal end; and    an embolic protection filter coupled to the shaft near the distal end thereof.    
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the nose cone has a tapered distal surface.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising an actuating member having a first end connected to the nose cone and a second end disposed proximate the proximal end of the sheath, wherein the second end can be actuated by a user to shift the nose cone between the first position and the second position.  
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a marker member coupled to the sheath.  
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the marker member is coupled to the sheath by folding a portion of the sheath proximally over the marker member.  
   
   
       11 . An embolic protection filter assembly, comprising; 
 an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;    an elongate shaft disposed in at least a portion of the lumen, the shaft having a distal end;    an embolic protection filter coupled to the shaft near the distal end thereof; and    a tapering member coupled to the sheath and disposed near the distal end of the sheath, the tapering member comprising a bulbous tip disposed at the distal end of the sheath, the tapering member being adapted and configured to shift between a first position and a second position, such that when the tapering member is in the first position, the tapering member provides the outer sheath with a tapered distal tip.    
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the sheath includes an inflation lumen in fluid communication with the bulbous tip.  
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the bulbous tip is inflatable by infusing an inflation media through the inflation lumen into the bulbous tip.  
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a marker member coupled to the sheath.  
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the marker member is coupled to the sheath by folding a portion of the sheath proximally over the marker member.