Embolic protection devices having radiopaque markers

Abstract

A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body, comprising: a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained, and an elongate support member, the filter being carried on a portion of the elongate support member, wherein the filter element has proximal and distal portions and a central portion, the filter element having a shape in the expanded configuration which defines a cavity having a proximal facing opening, and wherein the proximal portion of the filter element comprises a radiopaque element in the form of a discontinuous loop extending around a portion of a perimeter of the proximal facing opening, the discontinuous loop having a gap and the gap being proximate to the elongate support member.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device comprising:
 a filter element comprising a mesh, the filter element being configured to expand from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, wherein, in the expanded configuration, the filter element defines a cavity having an opening;   a radiopaque element comprising at least two discontinuous loop segments extending around a perimeter of the opening;   an elongate support member;   a proximal marker on the elongate support member and slidable with respect to the elongate support member; and   a distal marker on the elongate support member and slidable with respect to the elongate support member, wherein the mesh of the filter element is attached to the proximal and distal markers,   wherein the elongate support member comprises a stop between the proximal and distal markers that limits the movement of proximal and distal markers.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the opening is a proximal facing opening. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the opening is a distal facing opening 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least two discontinuous loop segments are interwoven into the mesh. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least two discontinuous loop segments extend around an outer perimeter of the opening. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least two discontinuous loop segments extend around an inner perimeter of the opening. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least two discontinuous loop segments comprise gold plated tungsten wires. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein at least one discontinuous loop segment of the at least two discontinuous loop segments is coiled. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein at least one discontinuous loop segment of the at least two discontinuous loop segments is not coiled. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein each discontinuous loop segment of the at least two discontinuous loop segments extends around 5% to 50% of a perimeter of the opening. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein each discontinuous loop segment of the at least two discontinuous loop segments extends around 5% to 40% of a perimeter of the opening. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least two discontinuous loop segments define a gap proximate to the elongate support member. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the mesh comprises a polymer film defining holes. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the mesh comprises braided metal strands. 
     
     
         35 . A device comprising:
 a filter element comprising a mesh, the filter element being configured to expand from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, wherein, in the expanded configuration, the filter element defines a cavity having an opening;   a radiopaque element comprising a discontinuous loop extending around a portion of a perimeter of the opening, the discontinuous loop being disposed around 50 to 90 percent of the perimeter of the opening;   an elongate support member;   a proximal marker on the elongate support member and slidable with respect to the elongate support member; and   a distal marker on the elongate support member and slidable with respect to the elongate support member, wherein the mesh of the filter is attached to the proximal and distal markers,   wherein the elongate support member comprises a stop between the proximal and distal markers that limits the movement of proximal and distal markers.   
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the opening is a proximal facing opening. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the opening is a distal facing opening. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the discontinuous loop is interwoven into the mesh. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the discontinuous loop is directly attached only to the mesh. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the discontinuous loop has a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being positioned on opposite sides of the elongate support member.