Abstract: An embolic protection device has a collapsible filter element (105) mounted on a carrier such as a guidewire (101). The filter element (105) collapses into the outer end of a catheter (118) for deployment and retrieval through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element (105) has a collapsible filter body with a proximal inlet end and a distal outlet end. The proximal inlet end has inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. The outlet end has outlet openings which allow through passage of blood but retain embolic material within the filter body. After use, the catheter (118) is movable along the guidewire (101) to engage the proximal end of the filter element and close the inlet openings before sliding over the filter element from the proximal end to the distal end to progressively collapse the filter body on the guidewire (101) for retrieval.

Abstract: A transcatheter occluding implant (50) is used to seal off a vessel lumen such as for arterial and venous embolization, cutting off of supply to tumors, male and female sterilization. There is illustrated a plug member of an open foam plastics material having good hysteresis properties in the form of a shaft 51 carrying annular supports. The implant (50) can be compressed into a very small size and then will expand to contact the internal bore of the vessel to form a force fit within the vessel lumen for secure anchoring of the implant. The open cell foam construction encourages tissue growth and thus further contributes to the stabilization of the implant.

Abstract: Porous and non-porous polycarbonate urethane polymers having a set of properties suitable for long term implantation within the body of a mammal. The polycarbonate foams and elastomers, comprise a polycarbonate material that is resistant to attack by invivo agents over extended periods of time. The polycarbonate urethane polymers are prepared by reacting polycarbonate polyols with an isocyanate and a chain extender.