Embolic protection system

Abstract

A retrieval catheter for retrieving a medical device deployed in a vasculature. The catheter comprises an outer catheter body and an inner coupling member having means for coupling to a medical device deployed in a vasculature. The catheter body is movable distally relative to the coupling member to retrieve a coupled medical device into the catheter body.

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 to 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.    
   
   
       2 . A filter as claimed in  claim 1  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.  
   
   
       3 . A filter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the filter comprises a low-friction outer layer.  
   
   
       4 . A filter as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the outer layer is of a hydrophilic material.  
   
   
       5 . A filter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the filter comprises an inflatable member to enhance the outward radial force.  
   
   
       6 . A filter as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the filter defines a guidewire lumen for passing the filter over a guidewire.  
   
   
       7 . A filter as claimed in  claim 1  comprising an anchor for fixing the filter to the vasculature in the deployed configuration.  
   
   
       8 . A filter as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the filter comprises a filter body and a filter support frame to support the filter body in the deployed configuration.  
   
   
       9 . A filter as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the support frame comprises the anchor.  
   
   
       10 . A filter as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the filter body comprises the anchor.  
   
   
       11 . A filter as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the anchor comprises a plurality of anchor elements.  
   
   
       12 . A filter as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the anchor elements are spaced-apart circumferentially around the filter when the filter is in the deployed configuration.  
   
   
       13 . A filter as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the support frame comprises at least one support hoop.  
   
   
       14 . A filter as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the support frame has a longitudinal aspect.  
   
   
       15 . A filter as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the filter is self supported in a vasculature in the absence of a guidewire.