Abstract: Various devices are described to provide filtering of flow from the aorta to the left carotid artery and the right carotid artery. The filters can be brought into a desired position through one or more peripheral arteries. A single filter device can provide the desired filtering or a plurality of devices can be used. In particular a single filter device can span between the brachiocephalic artery and the left carotid artery. These filter devices can be used effectively to capture emboli generated during procedures on the heart so that emboli do not travel to the patient's brain where the emboli can cause a stroke or other adverse event. In particular, these filters can be used during percutaneous procedures on the heart, such as endovascular heart valve replacement.

Abstract: Filtration systems with integrated filter element(s) forming portions of the wall of the filtration catheter are disclosed. The filtration catheters disclosed herein are designed to be used alone or in conjunction with another filter device to provide embolic protection of both carotid arteries. Occlusive element such as balloon is placed on the exterior of the filtration catheter to redirect blood flow in the vessels during the filtration process as well as to help anchor the filtration catheter inside the vessel. The integrated filter element(s) does not require collapsing thus significantly reduces the complexity of the filtration system retrieval process and the chances of releasing emboli back into the blood stream. The compact design of the filtration systems makes them particularly suitable for embolic protection during endovascular procedures on or close to the heart.

Abstract: Various devices are described to provide filtering of flow from the aorta to the left carotid artery and the right carotid artery. The filters can be brought into a desired position through one or more peripheral arteries. A single filter device can provide the desired filtering or a plurality of devices can be used. In particular a single filter device can span between the brachiocephalic artery and the left carotid artery. These filter devices can be used effectively to capture emboli generated during procedures on the heart so that emboli do not travel to the patient's brain where the emboli can cause a stroke or other adverse event. In particular, these filters can be used during percutaneous procedures on the heart, such as endovascular heart valve replacement.

Abstract: Filtration systems with integrated filter element(s) forming portions of the wall of the filtration catheter are disclosed. The filtration catheters disclosed herein are designed to be used alone or in conjunction with another filter device to provide embolic protection of both carotid arteries. Occlusive element such as balloon is placed on the exterior of the filtration catheter to redirect blood flow in the vessels during the filtration process as well as to help anchor the filtration catheter inside the vessel. The integrated filter element(s) does not require collapsing thus significantly reduces the complexity of the filtration system retrieval process and the chances of releasing emboli back into the blood stream. The compact design of the filtration systems makes them particularly suitable for embolic protection during endovascular procedures on or close to the heart.

Abstract: Various devices are described to provide filtering of flow from the aorta to the left carotid artery and the right carotid artery. The filters can be brought into a desired position through one or more peripheral arteries. A single filter device can provide the desired filtering or a plurality of devices can be used. In particular a single filter device can span between the brachiocephalic artery and the left carotid artery. These filter devices can be used effectively to capture emboli generated during procedures on the heart so that emboli do not travel to the patient's brain where the emboli can cause a stroke or other adverse event. In particular, these filters can be used during percutaneous procedures on the heart, such as endovascular heart valve replacement.

Abstract: Filtration systems with integrated filter element(s) forming portions of the wall of the filtration catheter are disclosed. The filtration catheters disclosed herein are designed to be used alone or in conjunction with another filter device to provide embolic protection of both carotid arteries. Occlusive element such as balloon is placed on the exterior of the filtration catheter to redirect blood flow in the vessels during the filtration process as well as to help anchor the filtration catheter inside the vessel. The integrated filter element(s) does not require collapsing thus significantly reduces the complexity of the filtration system retrieval process and the chances of releasing emboli back into the blood stream. The compact design of the filtration systems makes them particularly suitable for embolic protection during endovascular procedures on or close to the heart.

Abstract: Various devices are described to provide filtering of flow from the aorta to the left carotid artery and the right carotid artery. The filters can be brought into a desired position through one or more peripheral arteries. A single filter device can provide the desired filtering or a plurality of devices can be used. In particular a single filter device can span between the brachiocephalic artery and the left carotid artery. These filter devices can be used effectively to capture emboli generated during procedures on the heart so that emboli do not travel to the patient's brain where the emboli can cause a stroke or other adverse event. In particular, these filters can be used during percutaneous procedures on the heart, such as endovascular heart valve replacement.

Abstract: Various devices are described to provide filtering of flow from the aorta to the left carotid artery and the right carotid artery. The filters can be brought into a desired position through one or more peripheral arteries. A single filter device can provide the desired filtering or a plurality of devices can be used. In particular a single filter device can span between the brachiocephalic artery and the left carotid artery. These filter devices can be used effectively to capture emboli generated during procedures on the heart so that emboli do not travel to the patient's brain where the emboli can cause a stroke or other adverse event. In particular, these filters can be used during percutaneous procedures on the heart, such as endovascular heart valve replacement.

Abstract: An integrated guiding device has a tube and a corewire within the tube and a torque coupler. The torque coupler can couple the rotational motion of the tube with the rotational motion of the corewire. The wire can be moved longitudinally at least some amount relative to the tube. The device can further comprise a functional medical structure, such as an embolism protection structure. The device can be used in medical procedures, such as less invasive procedures within the cardiovascular system. Improved fiber based embolism protection devices comprise fiber bundles that are twisted prior to delivery.

Abstract: A biocompatible medical device having a segmented element including a first segment having a first shaped interface and a second segment having a second shaped interface configured to operably couple the first shaped interface. When the first shaped interface is engaging the second shaped interface to form a joined segmented element, the first segment and the second segment cannot be decoupled by movement along an axis through the element. The medical device further includes a locking element configured to engage the joined segmented element with a sliding motion to prevent decoupling of the first segment with respect to the second segment by preventing significant relative movement of the segments with a component of the movement perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: Thrombectomy catheters are presented that have curved tip portions. A suction lumen extends from at or near the proximal end of the catheter to a suction port at or near the tip portion of the catheter. The curves of the thrombectomy catheter can be selected to place a suction port at or near a vessel wall for the more effective removal of thrombus resulting from directing the suction in the direction of the thrombus. In some embodiments, the tip portion of the catheter can be transitioned from a first configuration for delivery of the catheter into the vessel to a second more curved configuration with a desired design for application of suction. The catheter can be moved in a circumferential and/or lateral direction to cover selected portions of the inner vessel wall. In some embodiments, a partially occlusive structure can be used to reduce and/or redirect flow within the vessel to improve performance of the thrombectomy.

Abstract: Improved embolism protection devices comprises fibers that can have one configuration for delivery of the device and a second configuration in which the device is deployed for filtering of flow within a vessel. In some embodiments, the fibers can be connected to a fiber support, which is connected to an actuating element. The actuating element controls the transition from the delivery configuration to the deployed configuration. The embolism protection device can comprise a guidewire. The fibers can be attached at one end to a fiber support structure and at another end to the guidewire. A hypotube can be attached to the proximal end of the fibers while the guidewire is attached at the distal end of the fibers with the guidewire extending within a central channel of the hypotube. The hypotube can be used to guide the delivery of treatment structures, such as a balloon and/or a stent.

Abstract: Improved embolism protection devices comprises fibers that can have one configuration for delivery of the device and a second configuration in which the device is deployed for filtering of flow within a vessel. In some embodiments, the fibers can be connected to a fiber support, which is connected to an actuating element. The actuating element controls the transition from the delivery configuration to the deployed configuration. The embolism protection device can comprise a guidewire. The fibers can be attached at one end to a fiber support structure and at another end to the guidewire. A hypotube can be attached to the proximal end of the fibers while the guidewire is attached at the distal end of the fibers with the guidewire extending within a central channel of the hypotube. The hypotube can be used to guide the delivery of treatment structures, such as a balloon and/or a stent.

Abstract: Improved embolism protection devices comprises fibers that can have one configuration for delivery of the device and a second configuration in which the device is deployed for filtering of flow within a vessel. In some embodiments, the fibers can be connected to a fiber support, which is connected to an actuating element. The actuating element controls the transition from the delivery configuration to the deployed configuration. The embolism protection device can comprise a guidewire. The fibers can be attached at one end to a fiber support structure and at another end to the guidewire. A hypotube can be attached to the proximal end of the fibers while the guidewire is attached at the distal end of the fibers with the guidewire extending within a central channel of the hypotube. The hypotube can be used to guide the delivery of treatment structures, such as a balloon and/or a stent.

Abstract: Embolism protection devices can be formed with a biocompatible expandable polymer that can expand upon release within a patient's vessel. Upon release, the structure can be configured to filter flow through the vessel. The material of the embolism protection devices can release one or more biologically active agents, such as a thrombolitic agent, including, for example, tPA. Alternatively or additionally, the embolism protection device can be connected to a tether that elutes one or more biologically active agents.