Abstract: Methods and devices for capturing debris within a blood vessel are disclosed. A filter assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a filter fixed to the elongate shaft proximate the distal end thereof. A filter assembly in accordance with the present invention may further include a means for reducing the volume of the debris that is disposed within the filter.

Abstract: Anchoring mechanisms for releasably securing an intravascular device along an elongated member such as a guidewire or catheter. The anchoring mechanism may include an object that can be actuated between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the anchoring mechanism is slidably and rotationally disposed about the elongated member. In the locked position, the anchoring mechanism is releasably secured to the elongated member, preventing movement thereon. A placement mechanism such as a tubular member can be utilized to actuate the anchoring mechanism between the unlocked and locked positions.

Abstract: A dedicated distal protection guidewire having proximal and distal stops disposed about an elongated core wire is disclosed. A guidewire in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated core wire having a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section, a distal stop disposed about a portion of the elongated core wire, and a proximal stop disposed about a portion of the elongated core wire proximal the distal stop. The distal stop may be formed from an enlarged outer diameter portion on the elongated core wire, or may be formed from an object disposed about and secured to a portion of the elongated core wire. The proximal stop may include an O-ring disposed within a recessed surface on the elongated core wire, or an annular ring having several circumferentially disposed notches.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vaso-occlusive assemblies for deploying implantable devices into the vasculature of a patient. More particularly, disclosed herein are vaso-occlusive assemblies comprising at least one thermally detachable polymer structure permanently attached to the implantable device and non-permanently attached to the delivery device prior to deployment. Also described are methods of making and using these assemblies.

Abstract: A device adapted for deployment in a body vessel for collecting floating debris and emboli in a filter. The device includes a collapsible proximally tapered frame for operably supporting the filter between a collapsed insertion profile and an expanded deployment profile. The tapered collapsible frame includes a mouth which is sized to extend to walls of the body vessel in the expanded deployed profile to seal the filter relative to the body vessel for collecting debris floating in the body vessel.

Abstract: Distal protection filter frame and method for using and manufacturing the same. A distal protection filter frame may include one or more struts, a mouth, and a filter coupled to the mouth.

Abstract: A device adapted for deployment in a body vessel for collecting floating debris and emboli in a filter. The device includes a collapsible proximally tapered frame for operably supporting the filter between a collapsed insertion profile and an expanded deployment profile. The tapered collapsible frame includes a mouth which is sized to extend to walls of the body vessel in the expanded deployed profile to seal the filter relative to the body vessel for collecting debris floating in the body vessel.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: Anchoring mechanisms for releasably securing an intravascular device along an elongated member such as a guidewire or catheter. The anchoring mechanism may include an object that can be actuated between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the anchoring mechanism is slidably and rotationally disposed about the elongated member. In the locked position, the anchoring mechanism is releasably secured to the elongated member, preventing movement thereon. A placement mechanism such as a tubular member can be utilized to actuate the anchoring mechanism between the unlocked and locked positions.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: A device adapted for deployment in a body vessel for collecting floating debris and emboli in a filter. The device includes a collapsible proximally tapered frame for operably supporting the filter between a collapsed insertion profile and an expanded deployment profile. The tapered collapsible frame includes a mouth which is sized to extend to walls of the body vessel in the expanded deployed profile to seal the filter relative to the body vessel for collecting debris floating in the body vessel.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: A dedicated distal protection guidewire having proximal and distal stops disposed about an elongated core wire is disclosed. A guidewire in accordance with the present invention includes an elongated core wire having a relatively stiff proximal section and a relatively flexible distal section, a distal stop disposed about a portion of the elongated core wire, and a proximal stop disposed about a portion of the elongated core wire proximal the distal stop. The distal stop may be formed from an enlarged outer diameter portion on the elongated core wire, or may be formed from an object disposed about and secured to a portion of the elongated core wire. The proximal stop may include an O-ring disposed within a recessed surface on the elongated core wire, or an annular ring having several circumferentially disposed notches.

Abstract: Distal protection filter frame and method for using and manufacturing the same. A distal protection filter frame may include one or more struts, a mouth, and a filter coupled to the mouth.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving, end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position when in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially, expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal: end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

Abstract: Methods and devices for capturing debris within a blood vessel are disclosed. A filter assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a filter fixed to the elongate shaft proximate the distal end thereof. A filter assembly in accordance with the present invention may further include a means for reducing the volume of the debris that is disposed within the filter.

Abstract: An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving, end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.