Embolic protection device and method of use

Abstract

An embolism deflection device and method for preventing embolization during a surgical procedure include a dome-shaped deflector, a catheter coupled to the deflector, and a delivery sheath. The deflector includes a frame and porous cover, the cover permitting blood flow therethrough while blocking emboli. The deflection device is deployable from a branch vessel to cover an ostium of the branch vessel to block emboli from a main vessel from entering the branch vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An embolic deflection device for preventing emboli from entering a brachiocephalic artery and a left common carotid artery from an aorta, the device comprising:
 an expandable and collapsible, oval dome-shaped embolism deflector comprising a flexible nitinol frame and a porous, polymer cover secured to the frame, the frame comprising a plurality of struts extending from a central projection to a ring extending around an edge of the deflector, the cover permeable to blood and impermeable to emboli, the cover coated with heparin, the deflector comprising radiopaque markers, a diameter of the deflector sized to simultaneously cover an ostium of a brachiocephalic artery and an ostium of a left common carotid artery when the deflector is deployed from the brachiocephalic artery;   an elongate catheter, a distal end of the catheter coupled to the projection of the deflector; and   an elongate delivery sheath dimensioned for percutaneous insertion into an artery of a arm,   wherein the deflector is deployable from the delivery sheath and invertible back into the delivery sheath, and the edge of the deflector is sufficiently deformable to seal against an aortic wall around the ostium of the brachiocephalic artery and the ostium of the left common carotid artery when traction is applied to the elongate catheter.   
     
     
         2 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 1 , wherein the artery of the arm is a right brachial artery. 
     
     
         3 . An embolic deflection device for preventing emboli from entering a branch vessel from main vessel, the device comprising:
 an expandable and collapsible, dome-shaped embolism deflector comprising a flexible frame and a porous cover secured to the frame, the frame comprising a plurality of struts extending from a central projection to a ring extending around an edge of the deflector, the cover permeable to blood and impermeable to emboli, a diameter of the deflector sized to simultaneously cover an ostium of a branch vessel when the deflector is deployed therefrom;   an elongate catheter, a distal end of the catheter coupled to the projection of the deflector; and   an elongate delivery sheath dimensioned for percutaneous insertion into the branch vessel,   wherein the deflector is deployable from the delivery sheath and invertible back into the delivery sheath, and the edge of the deflector is sufficiently deformable to seal against wall of a main vessel around the ostium of the branch vessel when traction is applied to the elongate catheter.   
     
     
         4 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 3 , wherein deflector is round, oval, or rectangular. 
     
     
         5 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 3 , wherein deflector is oval. 
     
     
         6 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 3 , wherein deflector further comprises radiopaque markers. 
     
     
         7 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 3 , wherein the frame is nitinol. 
     
     
         8 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 3 , wherein the cover is coated with heparin. 
     
     
         9 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 3 , wherein the cover is at least one of a fabric and polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 3 , wherein the branch vessel is a brachiocephalic artery and the main vessel is an aorta. 
     
     
         11 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 3 , wherein the branch vessel is a first branch vessel and the diameter of the deflector is sized to simultaneously cover the ostium of the first branch vessel and an ostium of a second branch vessel when the deflector is deployed from the first branch vessel. 
     
     
         12 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 11 , wherein the first branch vessel is a brachiocephalic artery, the second branch vessel is a left common carotid artery, and the main vessel is an aorta. 
     
     
         13 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 3 , wherein the delivery sheath is dimensioned for percutaneous delivery through an artery of a right arm. 
     
     
         14 . The embolic deflection device of  claim 13 , wherein the artery of the right arm is a right brachial artery.