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  claim 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 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 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 of 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 - 146 . (canceled)