Abstract: Apparatus for implanting a heart valve and removing debris from a blood vessel, composed of: a collapsible and deployable filter for blocking debris in a blood vessel in a patient's body; a circular cuff coupled to a small diameter end of the filter and defining a through passage extending from the small diameter end, the cuff having, at a first end, an internal diameter coaxial with a circular opening at the small diameter end of the filter; a first sheath for housing the filter in its collapsed state and having a length sufficient to extend out of a patient's body when the filter is at a desired location in a blood vessel; and an assembly for implanting a prosthetic valve in the patient's heart, said assembly comprising a second sheath and a catheter housed in the second sheath and carrying an implantable valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out a medical procedure at a site in a patient's blood circulatory system, including a device to be implanted in the circulatory system, a sheath surrounding device and having a first diameter; a hollow tube having a second diameter and having a pressure transducer at its proximal end, and a filter that is collapsible into the sheath and is expandable out of the sheath for blocking debris and passing blood in the circulatory system.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out a medical procedure at a site in a patient's blood circulatory system, including a device to be implanted in the circulatory system, a sheath surrounding device and having a first diameter; a hollow tube having a second diameter and having a pressure transducer at its proximal end, and a filter that is collapsible into the sheath and is expandable out of the sheath for blocking debris and passing blood in the circulatory system.

Abstract: A collapsible and deployable filter for blocking debris and passing blood in a blood vessel in a patient's body, the filter including; a framework of a flexible material, constructed to have a radially compressed state, in which the framework is radially compressed by radial deforming forces, and a radially expanded state to obdurate an artery; and a flexible filter material secured to said framework and having pores dimensioned to prevent the passage of debris therethrough while allowing the passage of blood. The filter has, in the radially expanded state of the framework, a generally conical or frustoconical form with a large diameter end, a small diameter end opposite to the large diameter end, and a side surface extending between the ends. The filter has an opening that is free of filter material at the small diameter end or in the side surface.

Abstract: A collapsible and deployable filter for blocking debris and passing blood in a blood vessel in a patient's body, the filter including; a framework of a flexible material, constructed to have a radially compressed state, in which the framework is radially compressed by radial deforming forces, and a radially expanded state to obdurate an artery; and a flexible filter material secured to said framework and having pores dimensioned to prevent the passage of debris therethrough while allowing the passage of blood. The filter has, in the radially expanded state of the framework, a generally conical or frustoconical form with a large diameter end, a small diameter end opposite to the large diameter end, and a side surface extending between the ends. The filter has an opening that is free of filter material at the small diameter end or in the side surface.

Abstract: A kit and a system for providing long term protection for a patient's vascular system against damage from debris produced in the patient's ascending aorta as a result of a medical procedure involving the patient's heart. The kit and the system include an aortic filter assembly constructed to block debris in the patient's aorta while allowing blood flow through the aorta. The kit includes a shunt adapted to be implanted to form a flow path between an artery downstream of the debris removal tube and a vein and a venous filter adapted to be placed in the vein downstream of the shunt to collect debris flowing from said shunt. The system includes a heart-lung machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for implanting a heart valve and removing debris from a blood vessel, composed of: a collapsible and deployable filter for blocking debris in a blood vessel in a patient's body; a circular cuff coupled to a small diameter end of the filter and defining a through passage extending from the small diameter end, the cuff having, at a first end, an internal diameter coaxial with a circular opening at the small diameter end of the filter; a first sheath for housing the filter in its collapsed state and having a length sufficient to extend out of a patient's body when the filter is at a desired location in a blood vessel; and an assembly for implanting a prosthetic valve in the patient's heart, said assembly comprising a second sheath and a catheter housed in the second sheath and carrying an implantable valve.

Abstract: An apparatus, a kit and a method for rapidly restoring blood flow through, and removing a clot from, a blood vessel by chemical dissolution. The essential components include an instrument for preventing the flow of debris downstream of the clot, a coronary catheter constructed to be introduced into the blood vessel and a double balloon catheter that has a tapered tip and that can form an enclosed space containing the clot and via which dissolution fluid can be brought into contact with the clot.

Abstract: A collapsible and deployable filter for blocking debris and passing blood in a blood vessel in a patient's body, the filter including; a framework of a flexible material, constructed to have a radially compressed state, in which the framework is radially compressed by radial deforming forces, and a radially expanded state to obdurate an artery; and a flexible filter material secured to said framework and having pores dimensioned to prevent the passage of debris therethrough while allowing the passage of blood. The filter has, in the radially expanded state of the framework, a generally conical or frustoconical form with a large diameter end, a small diameter end opposite to the large diameter end, and a side surface extending between the ends. The filter has an opening that is free of filter material at the small diameter end or in the side surface.

Abstract: An apparatus, a kit and a method for rapidly restoring blood flow through, and removing a clot from, a blood vessel by chemical dissolution. The essential components include an instrument for preventing the flow of debris downstream of the clot, a coronary catheter constructed to be introduced into the blood vessel and a double balloon catheter that has a tapered tip and that can form an enclosed space containing the clot and via which dissolution fluid can be brought into contact with the clot.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a patient having an obstruction in a first blood vessel through which blood normally flows in a given direction, at a location downstream of a branch point where the first blood vessel and a second blood vessel branch off from a main blood vessel. The apparatus includes: a guide catheter insertable into the first blood vessel to a point upstream of the branch point; first and second filters insertable through the guide catheter for trapping debris in the first and second blood vessels; a guide wire insertable through the guide catheter into the first blood vessel to a location downstream of the branch point; and an obstruction removal assembly insertable into the first blood vessel over the guide wire to the location of the obstruction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a patient having an obstruction in a first blood vessel through which blood normally flows in a given direction, at a location downstream of a branch point where the first blood vessel and, a second blood vessel branch off from a main blood vessel, by: blocking blood flow in the main blood vessel at a point upstream of the branch point; inserting into the second blood vessel a first filter adapted to pass blood while trapping debris resulting from removal of the obstruction; inserting an obstruction removal assembly into the first blood vessel and operating the assembly to at least partially break up the obstruction and produce debris; withdrawing the obstruction removal assembly from the patient's body; and then inserting into the first blood vessel a filter adapted to pass blood while trapping debris; then restoring blood flow in the main blood vessel.

Abstract: A kit for performing angioplasty or stenting in a blood vessel, composed of at least two components. One of the components includes a first catheter providing a blood bypass flow path and carrying a blocking balloon and a blood vessel dilation device. Another one of the components includes a second catheter having an imperforate wall enclosing an axial lumen and having an open distal end, a hollow tube surrounding, and movable longitudinally with respect to, the second catheter, and a second blocking balloon carried by the hollow tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a patient having an obstruction in a first blood vessel through which blood normally flows in a given direction, at a location downstream of a branch point where the first blood vessel and, a second blood vessel branch off from a main blood vessel, by: blocking blood flow in the main blood vessel at a point upstream of the branch point; inserting into the second blood vessel a first filter adapted to pass blood while trapping debris resulting from removal of the obstruction; inserting an obstruction removal assembly into the first blood vessel and operating the assembly to at least partially break up the obstruction and produce debris; withdrawing the obstruction removal assembly from the patient's body; and then inserting into the first blood vessel a filter adapted to pass blood while trapping debris; then restoring blood flow in the main blood vessel.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a vascular filter, composed of: a reinforced membrane unit composed of: a thin filter membrane; and fibers of reinforcement material embedded in the membrane to strengthen the filter and securely attach the fibers to the membrane. A method of fabricating the filter by the steps of: providing a mold that can be melted, dissolved, or deformed without damaging membrane material; covering the mold with an intermediate material that is easily separated from the membrane material; covering the intermediate material with the membrane material; placing the fibers in contact with the membrane material that covers the intermediate material; covering the fibers with additional membrane material to form the membrane with embedded fibers; removing the mold by melting, dissolving, or deforming the mold; and removing the intermediate material from the membrane.

Abstract: A system for performing a medical treatment in a blood vessel while providing downstream microcirculatory system protection, the system being composed of: a catheter having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, an outer lateral surface, a central blood bypass flow lumen extending along the longitudinal axis and opening at the distal end, blood flow inlet and outlet openings extending from the lateral surface and communicating with the bypass flow lumen, and first and second inflation lumens extending to the lateral surface at respective first and second locations that are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and that are between the inlet openings and the outlet openings; and first and second inflatable members secured to the lateral surface and each having an interior that communicates with a respective one of the first and second inflation lumens, wherein the catheter has a thin outer wall enclosing a hollow interior that is completely occupied by the bypass flow lumen, except for the space occupied by the

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing an obstruction from a wall of a vessel through which blood normally flows in a given direction, at a location downstream of a branch point where a second blood vessel branches off from the first blood vessel, by: blocking blood flow in the first blood vessel at a point upstream of the branch point to cause blood to flow through the first blood vessel past the obstruction opposite to the given direction and then into the second blood vessel; and removing material from the obstruction, trapping the removed material, and withdrawing the removed material from the blood vessel.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a vascular filter, composed of: a reinforced membrane unit composed of: a thin filter membrane; and fibers of reinforcement material embedded in the membrane to strengthen the filter and securely attach the fibers to the membrane.

Abstract: A system for performing a medical treatment in a blood vessel while providing downstream microcirculatory system protection, the system being composed of: a catheter having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, an outer lateral surface, a central blood bypass flow lumen extending along the longitudinal axis and opening at the distal end, blood flow inlet and outlet openings extending from the lateral surface and communicating with the bypass flow lumen, and first and second inflation lumens extending to the lateral surface at respective first and second locations that are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis and that are between the inlet openings and the outlet openings; and first and second inflatable members secured to the lateral surface and each having an interior that communicates with a respective one of the first and second inflation lumens, wherein the catheter has a thin outer wall enclosing a hollow interior that is completely occupied by the bypass flow lumen, except for the space occupied by the

Abstract: A system for performing a medical treatment in blood vessels, composed of: a catheter having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, an outer lateral surface, a central guidance lumen extending along the longitudinal axis and opening at the distal end, an annular bypass flow lumen surrounding, and isolated from, the guidance lumen, inlet and outlet openings extending from the lateral surface and communicating with the bypass flow lumen, and first and second balloon inflation lumens extending to the lateral surface at respective first and second locations that are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis between the inlet openings and the outlet openings; and first and second balloons secured to the lateral surface and each communicating with a respective one of the first and second inflation lumens, wherein the bypass flow lumen terminates distally at a location between the outlet openings and the distal end of the catheter.