Expandable cages for embolic filtering devices

Abstract

A self-expanding cage for use in conjunction with an embolic filtering device includes a circumferential member adapted to expand from an unexpanded position to a expanded position within the patient's body vessel. A proximal strut and distal strut are attached to the circumferential member to form the cage. A plurality of proximal and distal struts may be attached the circumferential member. Additionally, a second circumferential member can be attached to the first circumferential member. Each circumferential member can be connected by a single or a plurality of connecting struts. One embodiment of the cage utilizes a single wire to form to the cage. A delivery system attached to the single wire cage moves the cage and its associated filter element between the expanded and unexpanded positions through relative movement of the distal delivery system. This can be accomplished by either torquing the guide wire onto which the expandable cage is mounted or by longitudinally moving a tubular member which forms part of the delivery system longitudinally in relation to the guide wire.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . An embolic filtering device used to capture embolic debris in a body vessel, comprising: 
 a guide wire;    a filter assembly disposed on the guide wire, the filter assembly including an expandable cage and filtering element attached to the cage, the cage being movable between an unexpanded and expanded position and rotatable mounted on the guide wire, the cage including a circumferential member which forms an inlet opening for the filtering element when placed in the expanded position, the guide wire extending through the inlet opening of the circumferential member and the circumferential member being positioned at a slant with respect to the body vessel when placed in the expanded position; and    means for maintaining the guide wire substantially centered through the circumferential member when the cage is placed in the expanded position, wherein the circumferential member is adapted to sealingly contact the body vessel when placed in the expanded position to form a single inlet opening for capturing embolic debris.    
   
   
       30 . An embolic filtering device used to capture embolic debris in a body vessel, comprising: 
 a guide wire; and    a filter assembly disposed on the guide wire, the filter assembly including an expandable cage and filtering element attached to the cage, the cage being movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position, the cage including a single circumferential member forming an inlet opening when placed in the expanded position, a single proximal strut having a first end attached to the circumferential member and a second end disposed on the guide wire, wherein the guide wire extends through the inlet opening of the circumferential member the circumferential member is adapted to sealingly contact the body vessel when placed in the expanded position to form a single inlet opening for capturing embolic debris in the filtering element.    
   
   
       31 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 30 , wherein the proximal strut is configured to maintain the guide wire substantially centered in the inlet opening of the circumferential member when the cage is placed in the expanded position.  
   
   
       32 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 30 , wherein the cage is rotatably mounted to the guide wire.  
   
   
       33 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 30 , wherein the second end of the proximal strut is rotatably mounted to the guide wire.  
   
   
       34 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 30 , wherein the circumferential member defines a plane when placed in the expanded position and the plane of the circumferential member is maintained at angle which is not perpendicular to the axis of the portion of the guide wire that extends through the circumferential member.  
   
   
       35 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 30 , further including a distal strut having a first end attached to the circumferential member and a second end disposed on the guide wire.  
   
   
       36 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 35 , wherein both the proximal strut and the distal strut cooperate to maintain the guide wire substantially centered in the circumferential member when the cage is placed in the expanded position.  
   
   
       37 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 35 , wherein the second end of the proximal strut and the second end of the distal strut are rotatably mounted to the guide wire.  
   
   
       38 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 30 , further including a plurality of distal struts attached to circumferential member, each distal strut having a first end attached to the circumferential member and a second end disposed on the guide wire.  
   
   
       39 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 38 , wherein the second ends of the distal struts are rotatably mounted to the guide wire.  
   
   
       40 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 30 , wherein the circumferential ring is oval shaped.  
   
   
       41 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 30 , wherein the second end of the proximal strut is attached to a collar which is rotatably mounted to the guide wire.  
   
   
       42 . An embolic filtering device used to capture embolic debris in a body vessel, comprising: 
 a guide wire; and    a filter assembly disposed on the guide wire, the filter assembly including an expandable cage and filtering element attached to the cage, the cage being movable between expanded and collapsed positions, the cage including a single circumferential member forming an inlet opening placed in the expanded position, the circumferential member having a proximal bending region and a distal bending region formed thereon, a proximal strut having a first end attached to proximal bending region and a second end disposed on the guide wire, wherein the guide wire extends through the inlet opening formed by the circumferential member and is adapted to sealingly contact the body vessel when placed in the expanded position to form a single inlet opening for capturing embolic debris in the filtering element.    
   
   
       43 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 42 , wherein the second end of the proximal strut is rotatably mounted to the guide wire.  
   
   
       44 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 42 , wherein the proximal strut help to maintain the guide wire substantially centered in the circumferential member when the cage is placed in the expanded position.  
   
   
       45 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 42 , wherein the second end of the proximal strut is rotatably attached to the guide wire.  
   
   
       46 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 42 , wherein the second end of the proximal strut is attached to a collar which is rotatably mounted to the guide wire.  
   
   
       47 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 42 , further including a distal strut having a first end attached to distal bending region and a second end disposed on the guide wire.  
   
   
       48 . The embolic filtering device of  claim 47 , further including a second distal strut having a first end attached to the circumferential member and a second end disposed on the guide wire.