Abstract: In general, the invention features an intra-vascular device for filtering or deflecting emboli or other large objects from entering a protected secondary vessel or vessels. the device of the invention may include a filter to prevent a particle in a blood vessel from passing through the filter, a lateral structure to hold the filter, and two wires attached to lateral structure, on each at its distal and proximal ends. These wires may be used to control the deflection or orientation of the filter upon its installation within a blood vessel. Further, in some embodiments, these wires may be capable of readily detaching from the device, thus making it possible to install a filter without any significant appendages in a blood vessel.

Abstract: In general, the invention features an intra-vascular device (100) for filtering or deflecting emboli other large objects from entering a protected secondary vessel or vessels. The device of the invention may include a filter (201) to prevent a particle in a blood vessel from passing through the filter, a lateral structure (200) to hold the filter, and two wires (202, 203) attached the lateral structure, one each at its distal and proximal ends (206a, 206b). These wires may be used to control the deflection or orientation of the filter upon its installation within a blood vessel. Further, in some embodiments, these wires may be capable of readily detaching from the device, thus making it possible to install a filter without any significant appendages in a blood vessel.

Abstract: An intra-vascular device (100) may include a skeleton (102) to hold a blood filter (104), an upper member (110) to fit into a branch artery of an aorta, and a pair of lower members (106, 108) whose distal ends are not connected to each other, such lower members to press against a wall of an ascending artery and to provide lift to the device so that a middle portion of the device is above a lateral plane of the device. The device may be positioned in a middle area of an aortic arch near but not covering an opening of the branch arteries of the aorta, and may filter or deflect emboli or other large objects from entering into the branch arteries.