Abstract: An embolic protection system comprises an embolic protection filter 1 having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The filter 1 is housed in the collapsed configuration in a reception space of a delivery catheter 20. The delivery catheter 20 containing the filter 1 is housed in a sealed sterile pouch 35. The filter 1 may be coated with a non-thrombogenic coating and an adhesion preventer 9 such as a silicon gel is used to substantially prevent adhesion of adjacent folds of the filter 1 when the filter is in the collapsed configuration in the delivery catheter 20.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of advancing a guidewire from a first intermediate location to a further intermediate location which is proximal of the treatment location and, subsequently, advancing a medical device over the guidewire toward the further intermediate location. The method may comprise repeating these steps for additional intermediate locations. In one case the treatment location is in the carotid artery. The treatment location may be at or adjacent to the carotid bifurcation. An intermediate location may be at or adjacent to the aortic arch. An intermediate location may be at or adjacent to the carotid take-off. The medical device may be delivered over the guidewire using a delivery catheter. The delivery catheter and the medical device may be advanced through the vasculature without the use of a guide catheter.

Abstract: An embolic protection system comprises an embolic protection filter 1 having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The filter 1 is housed in the collapsed configuration in a reception space of a delivery catheter 20. The delivery catheter 20 containing the filter 1 is housed in a sealed sterile pouch 35. The filter 1 may be coated with a non-thrombogenic coating and an adhesion preventer 9 such as a silicon gel is used to substantially prevent adhesion of adjacent folds of the filter 1 when the filter is in the collapsed configuration in the delivery catheter 20.

Abstract: In a method for filtering embolic material, a guide catheter (5) is advanced through a vasculature. A delivery catheter (4), a guidewire (2) and a collapsed filter are advanced together through the guide catheter (5) to a point distally of the distal end of the guide catheter (5). The guidewire (2) is then advanced across the lesion. During this advancement of the guidewire (2), the delivery catheter (4) and the collapsed filter remain substantially stationary. When the guidewire (2) has crossed the lesion, the delivery catheter (4) and the collapsed filter are then advanced across the lesion until the collapsed filter is distal of the lesion. The delivery catheter (4) is then withdrawn to facilitate deployment of the filter at the location distal of the lesion to ensure that any embolic material released during performance of an interventional procedure at the lesion will be captured and safely retained within the filter.

Abstract: A filter retrieval catheter for retrieving an embolic protection filter (50) from a vasculature. The catheter comprises a catheter shaft (2) having a rapid exchange guidewire opening (4) in a sidewall of the catheter shaft (2) to facilitate rapid exchange of the catheter over a guidewire (5). To prevent buckling or kinking of the catheter shaft (2) in the region of the guidewire opening (4) during retrieval of the embolic protection filer (50), the catheter comprises two elongate reinforcement elements (6, 3) extending along the catheter shaft (2). The first reinforcement element (6) comprises an elongate wire element extending from a proximal end located proximally of the guidewire opening (4) to a distal end located distally of the guidewire opening (4). The second reinforcement element (3) comprises an elongate tubular element extending from a proximal end located adjacent to and distally of the guidewire opening (4) to a distal end (9) located further distally of the guidewire opening (4).

Abstract: A retrieval catheter (200) comprises a catheter shaft (2) and a retrieval catheter tip at the distal end of the shaft (2). The tip comprises an expandable tip body (201) and two reinforcement columns (6, 7) extending along the tip body (201) embedded within the tip body (201). The tip body (201) comprises a stiff, distal, radiopaque segment (203) and a soft, proximal segment (202). The distal segment (203) has a distal nose part (205) extending distally of the reinforcement columns (6, 7). Along the distal nose part (205), the wall thickness of the tip body (201) tapers distally from a smaller wall thickness to a larger wall thickness, and the internal diameter tapers distally from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter.

Abstract: An embolic protection system comprises an embolic protection filter 1 having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration. The filter 1 is housed in the collapsed configuration in a reception space of a delivery catheter 20. The delivery catheter 20 containing the filter 1 is housed in a sealed sterile pouch 35. The filter 1 may be coated with a non-thrombogenic coating and an adhesion preventer 9 such as a silicon gel is used to substantially prevent adhesion of adjacent folds of the filter 1 when the filter is in the collapsed configuration in the delivery catheter 20.

Abstract: A catheter 100 for delivery or retrieval of an embolic protection filter 101 has a distal pod 102 to house the filter 101. The filter 101 is deployed by means of an inflation balloon or sac 103 and the catheter has a proximal stop 104 for the sac. A proximal catheter shaft 106 has an inflation lumen for inflating the sac 103 from a delivery retracted configuration to a longitudinally extended configuration to deploy the filter 101. A transition mid section shaft 109 extends proximally from the pod 102 and defines a rapid exchange exit port 105 for a guidewire 107.