Embolic protection systems for bifurcated conduits

Abstract

An apparatus for removing emboli from a vessel during an interventional procedure comprising a catheter. The catheter includes: an elongate member having a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end; a dilation element disposed on a distal portion of the elongate member, the dilation element having a contracted state and an expanded state; an occlusion element disposed on a distal portion of the elongate member, the occlusion element being disposed proximal of the dilation element, and the occlusion element having a contracted state and an expanded state; and one or more aspiration ports disposed on a distal portion of the elongate member, the one or more aspiration ports being in fluid communication with the lumen, and one or more of the aspiration ports being disposed proximal of the dilation element and distal of the occlusion element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for removing emboli from a vessel, comprising:
 an elongate catheter member defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, the catheter member including an outer wall defining a lumen for reception of a guidewire and having a guidewire port extending through the outer wall in communication with the lumen for passage of an end of the guidewire through the outer wall, the outer wall having at least one aspiration opening in communication with the lumen for removal of emboli while a vacuum is drawn through the lumen;   a dilation element mounted to the outer wall of the catheter member distal of the guidewire port; and   an occlusion element mounted to the outer wall of the catheter member proximal of the dilation element, the occlusion element adapted to transition from a contracted state to an expanded state at least partially occluding the vessel to minimize passage of blood.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dilation element is secured to the outer wall of the catheter member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the outer wall is dimensioned such that the lumen extends continuously from the distal end of the catheter member to the guidewire port. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first lumen is dimensioned to extend continuously from the distal end of the catheter member through the proximal end of the catheter member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guidewire port is located proximal of the occlusion element. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the occlusion element is secured to the outer wall of the catheter member. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a second lumen in communication with the dilation element, and a third lumen in communication with the occlusion element. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall of the catheter member includes a plurality of aspiration openings disposed between the occlusion element and the dilation element. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , including a stent mounted about the dilation element, the stent being deployable upon expansion of the dilation element. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter member includes a bent portion such that the distal end of the catheter member is radially offset from the proximal end of the catheter member. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the bent portion is positioned proximally of the occlusion clement. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the occlusion element is dimensioned to at least partially circumscribe the bent portion. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the bent portion is positioned distally of the occlusion element. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the occlusion element includes a perfusion lumen for permitting passage of blood therethrough. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , including sealing material adjacent the guidewire opening to minimize loss of vacuum within the lumen. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for removing emboli from a vessel, comprising:
 a hub;   an elongate catheter member connected to the hub and defining proximal and distal ends, the catheter member including an outer wall defining a lumen and having an opening in communication with the lumen for removal of emboli while a vacuum is drawn through the lumen;   an expandable occlusion element mounted to the outer wall of the catheter member, the lumen extending through the distal end of the catheter member to at least a location proximal of the occlusion element;   a stent mounted adjacent the distal end of the catheter member distal of the occlusion element, the stent adapt to self expand from an initial constrained state to an expanded state; and   a sheath disposed over at least a portion of the stent to maintain the stent in the initial constrained state, the sheath movable to permit the stent to move to the expanded state.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the lumen is dimensioned to extend continuously from the distal end of the catheter member through the proximal end of the catheter member. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , including an aspiration port adjacent the hub and in fluid communication with the lumen, whereby a vacuum is drawn through the aspiration port and the lumen to communicate with the opening. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further including a second lumen in communication with the occlusion element to introduce fluids to expand the occlusion element. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the outer wall includes a guidewire port extending through the outer wall in communication with the lumen, the guidewire port being positioned proximal of the stent.