Embolic protection system

Abstract

An embolic filter having a filter support frame with a collapsed and an expanded configuration and a collapsible filter body supported by the support frame. The filter body has inlet and outlet ends. The filter body includes a proximal section having a longitudinally extending cylindrical shape and a distal section having a longitudinally extending conical shape that tapers in the distal direction. The support frame includes a plurality of alternating first segments such that, when the support frame is in the expanded configuration, the alternating first segments circumferentially extend in a first zigzag path to support the proximal, cylindrically shaped section of the filter body. The support frame includes a plurality of alternating second segments such that, when the support frame is in the expanded configuration, the alternating second segments circumferentially extend in a second zigzag path to support the proximal, cylindrically shaped section of the filter body.

1 . An embolic filter, comprising:
 a filter support frame, the support frame having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and   a collapsible filter body supported by the support frame, the filter body having an inlet end and an outlet end,   wherein the filter body comprises a proximal section having a longitudinally extending cylindrical shape and a distal section having a longitudinally extending conical shape that tapers in the distal direction,   the support frame comprises a plurality of alternating first segments such that, when the support frame is in the expanded configuration, the alternating first segments circumferentially extend in a first zigzag path to support the proximal, cylindrically shaped section of the filter body, and   the support frame comprises a plurality of alternating second segments such that, when the support frame is in the expanded configuration, the alternating second segments circumferentially extend in a second zigzag path to support the proximal, cylindrically shaped section of the filter body.   
     
     
         2 . The embolic filter of  claim 1 , wherein the distally extending taper of the distal, conically shaped section begins at the distal end of the proximal, cylindrically shaped section. 
     
     
         3 . The embolic filter of  claim 1 , wherein the first zigzag path is a minor image in the longitudinal direction of the second zigzag path. 
     
     
         4 . The embolic filter of  claim 1 , wherein the alternating segments of the first and second zigzag paths are defined by a wire. 
     
     
         5 . The embolic filter of  claim 1 , wherein the embolic filter is suitable for deployment in a vasculature to filter undesired embolic material from a blood stream flowing through a vasculature. 
     
     
         6 . The embolic filter of  claim 5 , wherein inlet end has an opening sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. 
     
     
         7 . The embolic filter of  claim 5 , wherein the outlet end has a plurality of small outlet openings that are sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body, such that the embolic filter captures and safely retains any undesired embolic material in the blood stream within the filter body while facilitating continued flow of blood through the vascular system. 
     
     
         8 . The embolic filter of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of small outlet holes are defined in the distal, conically shaped section of the filter body. 
     
     
         9 . The embolic filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter body has a low-friction outer layer. 
     
     
         10 . The embolic filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter body is made of a polymeric material, and the filter body comprises a hydrophilic coating. 
     
     
         11 . The embolic filter of  claim 1 , wherein the embolic filter comprises a guidewire lumen for passing the embolic filter over a guidewire. 
     
     
         12 . The embolic filter of  claim 5 , wherein the collapsed configuration has a low-profile for movement through the vasculature, and the expanded configuration is configured to extend radially outwardly for apposition with a wall of the vasculature. 
     
     
         13 . The embolic filter of  claim 5 , wherein in the expanded configuration, the filter body is supported in an expanded position by the first and second zigzag paths of the support frame so as to maximize an internal volume of the filter body. 
     
     
         14 . The embolic filter of  claim 5 , wherein the support frame supports the filter body in the expanded configuration in apposition with the vasculature wall and is configured to prevent blood flow bypassing the embolic filter between the filter body and the vasculature wall. 
     
     
         15 . The embolic filter of  claim 5 , wherein in the expanded configuration, the support frame exerts an outward radial force on the filter body and the vasculature wall which results in a frictional force between the filter body and the vasculature wall sufficient to retain the filter in position against substantial longitudinal movement. 
     
     
         16 . A method of filter undesired embolic material from a blood stream flowing through a vasculature, comprising:
 advancing the embolic filter according to  claim 1  through the vasculature; and   deploying the embolic filter in the vasculature, such that the filter moves from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.