Abstract: A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body. The device has a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The filter element includes a material having pores, and the material having pores includes cylindrical wires having at least three different diameters arranged in a pattern of graduated diameters.

Abstract: Catheters, assemblies, and methods for delivering and recovering embolic protection devices. Catheters are provided that can be advanced over single length guide wires and which can be retracted over single length wire shafts of distal embolic protection devices. One catheter is a two-port catheter having two sidewall ports, a distal end port, and a proximal end port. The two-port catheter can be advanced over a guide wire threaded between the distal end port and the distal sidewall port. An embolic protection device wire shaft can be back loaded into the distal end port and out the proximal sidewall port. A three-port catheter includes a distal end port, and distal, intermediate, and proximal sidewall ports.

Abstract: A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body. The device has a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The filter element includes a material having pores, and the material having pores includes cylindrical wires having at least three different diameters arranged in a pattern of graduated diameters.

Abstract: A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body. The device has a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The filter element includes a material having pores, and the material having pores includes cylindrical wires having at least three different diameters arranged in a pattern of graduated diameters.

Abstract: Catheters, assemblies, and methods for delivering and recovering embolic protection devices. Catheters are provided that can be advanced over single length guide wires and which can be retracted over single length wire shafts of distal embolic protection devices. One catheter is a two-port catheter having two sidewall ports, a distal end port, and a proximal end port. The two-port catheter can be advanced over a guide wire threaded between the distal end port and the distal sidewall port. An embolic protection device wire shaft can be back loaded into the distal end port and out the proximal sidewall port. A three-port catheter includes a distal end port, and distal, intermediate, and proximal sidewall ports. The distal sidewall port can be dimensioned to accept passage of a filter body through the port. The distal end port can be dimensioned to accept only a guide wire to provide a smooth transition from the guide wire to the small profile distal end.

Abstract: A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body. The device has a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The filter element includes a material having pores, and the material having pores includes cylindrical wires having at least three different diameters arranged in a pattern of graduated diameters.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body comprising a filter element. The filter is expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained, and the filter element comprises a self-expanding material having pores. When the filter element is in the expanded configuration, the average pore size is from 30 to 300 microns and the standard deviation of the pore size is less than 20 percent of the average pore size.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body comprising a filter element. The filter is expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained, and the filter element comprises a self-expanding material having pores. When the filter element is in the expanded configuration, the average pore size is from 30 to 300 microns and the standard deviation of the pore size is less than 20 percent of the average pore size.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting vulnerable plaque within a blood vessel are disclosed. A catheter in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. At least one temperature sensor is disposed proximate to the distal end of the elongate shaft. In one preferred embodiment, the at least one temperature sensor is adapted to contact inner surface of the blood vessel. In another preferred embodiment, at least one temperature sensor is disposed within a channel defined by a body member that is disposed about the elongate shaft.

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting vulnerable plaque within a blood vessel are disclosed. An elongate medical device in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A substrate is fixed to the elongate shaft proximate the distal end thereof, and a plurality of sensors are disposed on the substrate. Each sensor is preferably coupled to a switching device. The switching devices are preferably disposed on the substrate.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting vulnerable plaque within a blood vessel are disclosed. A catheter in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. At least one temperature sensor is disposed proximate to the distal end of the elongate shaft. In one preferred embodiment, the at least one temperature sensor is adapted to contact an inner surface of the blood vessel. In another preferred embodiment, at least one temperature sensor is disposed within a channel defined by a body member that is disposed about the elongate shaft.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting vulnerable plaque within a blood vessel are disclosed. A catheter in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. At least one temperature sensor is disposed proximate to the distal end of the elongate shaft. In one preferred embodiment, the at least one temperature sensor is adapted to contact inner surface of the blood vessel. In another preferred embodiment, at least one temperature sensor is disposed within a channel defined by a body member that is disposed about the elongate shaft.

Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting vulnerable plaque within a blood vessel are disclosed. An elongate medical device in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A substrate is fixed to the elongate shaft proximate the distal end thereof, and a plurality of sensors are disposed on the substrate. Each sensor is preferably coupled to a switching device. The switching devices are preferably disposed on the substrate.