Abstract: An introducer having an elongate tubular member and a device connector releasably attached to a proximal end of the tubular member. The introducer allows exchange of medical instruments, such as a blood filter and cardioplegia catheter, through a single lumen. An obturator having a retractable blade for making incision on a tissue is insertable through the lumen of the introducer. Methods of using the obturator and the introducer for introducing medical device(s) into body cavity, such as a vessel or cardiac tissue, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An introducer having an elongate tubular member and a device connector releasably attached to a proximal end of the tubular member. The introducer allows exchange of medical instruments, such as a blood filter and cardioplegia catheter, through a single lumen. An obturator having a retractable blade for making incision on a tissue is insertable through the lumen of the introducer. Methods of using the obturator and the introducer for introducing medical device(s) into body cavity, such as a vessel or cardiac tissue, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. An adjustable filter is provided having a frame and a mesh disposed about the frame. The frame is generally circular when deployed and has a first point, a first arc extending 180° from the first point to a second point on the circular frame that is opposite the first point, and a second arc extending 180° from the first point to the second point. The filter is deployed by advancing the frame distally through the tubular member with the second point leading and the first point trailing.

Abstract: A medical device for filtering embolic material. The device comprises a cannula having a lumen, the lumen communicating with a port at the distal end. A port is located on an outer surface of the cannula adjacent a distal region of the cannula, the port having a passage extending distally and communicating with a distal opening in the port. A filter is removably insertable through the passage of the port, the filter comprising a flexible tubular member, a flexible shaft extending through the tubular member, and an expansion frame mounted on the distal end of the shaft. A filter mesh attached to the expansion frame. The expansion frame may optionally include a cantilever beam to support the far end of the frame, and in certain cases the cantilever beam is flexible to avoid scraping the vessel wall during use. Methods of use are also described.

Abstract: An endoluminal device having an elongate tubular member and a filter slideably received within a lumen of the tubular member. An obturator tip is carried by the filter and shaped to rest against the distal end of the elongate tubular member when the filter is within the lumen of the tubular member. Methods of using the obturator and the introducer for introducing the filter into a vessel, such as an aorta, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter comprising a porous material is arranged in a generally conical shape having an expandable base and a vertex. An elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end is attached to the expandable base of the porous material at a first circumferential location of the expandable base and extends perpendicularly from a central axis of the filter. An aspiration tube, for removing embolic material under vacuum, communicates with an area at the first circumferential location of the expandable base. Methods of using the filter and occluding devices for protecting a patient from embolization during cardiovascular procedures are described.

Abstract: Modular systems comprising a cannula and at least one access port adjacent to a distal end of the cannula provide insertion of one or more therapeutic or diagnostic devices into a vessel or cardiac tissue through a single incision site. Other embodiments include a vessel introducer or multi-port introducer. The devices can be operated in combination or independently. The systems can be employed to provide multiple therapies, including blood perfusion, filtration, aspiration, vessel occlusion, atherectomy, and endoscopic devices. Methods of using the system for vessel cannulation are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An introducer having an elongate tubular member and a device connector releasably attached to a proximal end of the tubular member. The introducer allows exchange of medical instruments, such as a blood filter and cardioplegia catheter, through a single lumen. An obturator having a retractable blade for making incision on a tissue is insertable through the lumen of the introducer. Methods of using the obturator and the introducer for introducing medical device(s) into body cavity, such as a vessel or cardiac tissue, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular blood filter apparatus and methods of use. The modular filter apparatus includes an adjustable frame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions and a frame sizing mechanism associated with the frame. Certain embodiments include a filter cartridge to protect the adjustable filter device therein. The cartridge may be removably introduced into a blood vessel, and the adjustable filter device may be deployed through the device into the vessel. The adjustable frame may be self-adjusting or externally adjusted to fit the vessel and to capture embolic material in the filter. The frame may be collapsed to the contracted condition, and may be removed from the vessel.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. An adjustable filter is provided having a frame and a mesh disposed about the frame. The frame is generally circular when deployed and has a first point, a first arc extending 180° from the first point to a second point on the circular frame that is opposite the first point, and a second arc extending 180° from the first point to the second point. The filter is deployed by advancing the frame distally through the tubular member with the second point leading and the first point trailing.

Abstract: A cannula is described that includes a diverter mechanism in the form of a diffusion surface deployable from within the lumen of the cannula and retractable from the lumen of the cannula. The diffusion surface may take the form of a planar surface, a curved surface, a membrane mounted on a wire ring, or a conical sleeve, or any other suitable shape. In use, the cannula is inserted in a vessel, the diffusion surface is deployed in the lumen of the cannula beyond the distal end of the cannula, and blood flow is passed through the cannula and against the diffusion surface. Alternative devices and methods are also described.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having a lumen communicating with a proximal end and a distal port at a distal end. A chamber, filled with gas or fluid less dense than blood, is mounted at the distal end. Methods of using the aspiration catheter for removing embolic air or gaseous bubbles within a body cavity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cannula is described that includes a diverter mechanism in the form of a blast plate deployable from within the lumen of the cannula and retractable from the lumen of the cannula. The blast plate may take the form of a planar surface, a curved surface, a membrane mounted on a wire ring, or a conical sleeve, or any other suitable shape. In use, the cannula is inserted in a vessel, the blast plate is deployed in the lumen of the cannula beyond the distal end of the cannula, and blood flow is passed through the cannula and against the blast plate. Alternative devices and methods are also described.

Abstract: A cannula is described that includes a diverter mechanism in the form of a blast plate deployable from within the lumen of the cannula and retractable from the lumen of the cannula. The blast plate may take the form of a planar surface, a curved surface, a membrane mounted on a wire ring, or a conical sleeve, or any other suitable shape. In use, the cannula is inserted in a vessel, the blast plate is deployed in the lumen of the cannula beyond the distal end of the cannula, and blood flow is passed through the cannula and against the blast plate. Alternative devices and methods are also described.

Abstract: A filter comprising a porous material is arranged in a generally conical shape having an expandable base and a vertex. An elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end is attached to the expandable base of the porous material at a first circumferential location of the expandable base and extends perpendicularly from a central axis of the filter. An aspiration tube, for removing embolic material under vacuum, communicates with an area at the first circumferential location of the expandable base. Methods of using the filter and occluding devices for protecting a patient from embolization during cardiovascular procedures are described.

Abstract: A catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having a lumen communicating with a proximal end and a distal port at a distal end. A chamber, filled with gas or fluid less dense than blood, is mounted at the distal end. Methods of using the aspiration catheter for removing embolic air or gaseous bubbles within a body cavity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter comprising a porous material is arranged in a generally conical shape having an expandable base and a vertex. A reservoir tip is located at the vertex for collecting filtered embolic material. The tip communicates with a distal port and lumen of an aspiration tube for removing embolic material under vacuum. A vessel occluding device comprising a non-permeable material having an expandable conical shape and communicating with an aspiration tube is also disclosed. Methods of using the filter and occluding devices for protecting a patient from embolization during cardiovascular procedures are described.

Abstract: A modular blood filter apparatus and methods of use. The modular filter apparatus includes an adjustable frame capable of assuming enlarged and contracted conditions and a frame sizing mechanism associated with the frame. Certain embodiments include a filter cartridge to protect the adjustable filter device therein. The cartridge may be removably introduced into a blood vessel, and the adjustable filter device may be deployed through the device into the vessel. The adjustable frame may be self-adjusting or externally adjusted to fit the vessel and to capture embolic material in the filter. The frame may be collapsed to the contracted condition, and may be removed from the vessel.

Abstract: An introducer having an elongate tubular member and a device connector releasably attached to a proximal end of the tubular member. The introducer allows exchange of medical instruments, such as a blood filter and cardioplegia catheter, through a single lumen. An obturator having a retractable blade for making incision on a tissue is insertable through the lumen of the introducer. Methods of using the obturator and the introducer for introducing medical device(s) into body cavity, such as a vessel or cardiac tissue, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for a radially compressible tubular prosthesis comprises an elongate shaft slidably received within an elongate sheath. The prosthesis is carried over the distal end of the shaft where it is contained in a radially compressed configuration by the sheath. After introducing the catheter to a desired target location within a body lumen, the prosthesis may be released by proximally retracting the sheath. The prosthesis will remain anchored to the shaft during at least part of the release procedure, permitting the user to recapture the prosthesis by distally advancing the sheath.