Abstract: A filter disposed at the distal end of an elongate guidewire. Catheters are provided for delivering the filter to, and retrieving the filter from, a treatment site. The catheters can be over-the-wire or single operator exchange. The catheters include a housing for receiving the filter therein. The housing has an atraumatic distal end.

Abstract: A catheter shaft assembly is disclosed. A catheter shaft in accordance with the present invention comprises a first elongate shaft having an inner surface defining a lumen, a second elongate shaft slidingly disposed within the lumen of the first elongate shaft, at least one interstitial member disposed between the inner surface of the first elongate shaft and the outer surface of the second elongate shaft.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed. This assembly may include a first elongate member having an internal lumen and a distal portion, a second elongate member, slidable within the first elongate member, and a spacer positioned between the second elongate member and the first elongate member. In this example, the spacer may be positioned at bendable portions of the first elongate member and the second elongate member such that the spacer maintains a substantially uniform spacing between the second elongate member and the first elongate member when the first elongate member and the second elongate member are in a curved orientation.

Abstract: Methods and devices for separating plaque from vessel walls using everting membranes. Everting tubes disposed on catheters are used in one embodiment of the invention to separate plaque from blood vessel walls. One embodiment of the invention utilizes a single everting membrane including a fixed portion, a leading edge, and an advancing portion. The everting tube can have an interior which can be pressurized to propel the everting tube distal edge distally onward, so as to separate the plaque from the vessel inner wall. One device has double everting membranes fixedly attached to a tubular member and having facing advancing membrane portions which may be proximally fixed relative to one another, but are preferably both free to travel distally. The outermost tube can be laid down over the vessel inner wall and the innermost tube laid down over the plaque, with the advancing surfaces of each everting membrane facing each other.

Abstract: Methods and devices for separating plaque from vessel walls using everting membranes. Everting tubes disposed on catheters are used in one embodiment of the invention to separate plaque from blood vessel walls. One embodiment of the invention utilizes a single everting membrane including a fixed portion, a leading edge, and an advancing portion. The everting tube can have an interior which can be pressurized to propel the everting tube distal edge distally onward, so as to separate the plaque from the vessel inner wall. One device has double everting membranes fixedly attached to a tubular member and having facing advancing membrane portions which may be proximally fixed relative to one another, but are preferably both free to travel distally. The outermost tube can be laid down over the vessel inner wall and the innermost tube laid down over the plaque, with the advancing surfaces of each everting membrane facing each other.