Abstract: An assembly for loading a collapsible embolic protection filter 1 into a catheter 2, comprises a catheter 2 defining a reception space at a distal end of the catheter 2 for receiving a collapsed embolic protection filter 1; and a separate removable pushing device 8 for delivering the embolic protection filter 1 into the reception space. The pushing device 8 comprises an elongate stem 71 with a proximal stop 72 for engagement with the filter 1. A separate loading device 7 to collapse the embolic protection filter 1 is also provided. The loading device 7 defines an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end being configured for co-operative alignment with the reception space.

Abstract: An embolic protection device comprises a collapsible filter element for delivery through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element comprising a collapsible filter body and a filter support frame contacting the filter body. The collapsible filter body has an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the filter body having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body, the outlet end of the filter body having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body. The filter support frame is movable between a collapsed position for movement through the vascular system and an extended outwardly projecting position to support the filter body in the expanded position.

Abstract: A collapsible filter element for a transcatheter embolic protection device, the filter element comprises a collapsible filter body of polymeric material which is movable between a collapsed stored position for movement through a vascular system and an expanded position for extension across a blood vessel such that blood passing through the blood vessel is delivered through the filer element. A proximal inlet portion of the filter body has one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. A distal outlet portion of the filter body has a plurality of generally circular outlet openings sized to allow through-passage of blood, but to retain embolic material within the filter body. The distal outlet portion of the filter body in the region of the outlet openings has means for reducing shear stress on blood passing through the outlet openings. The shear stress reducing means includes lead-in and lead-out radiussed portions of the filter body leading to the outlet holes.

Abstract: A collapsible filter element for a transcatheter embolic protection device, the filter element comprises a collapsible filter body of polymeric material which is movable between a collapsed stored position for movement through a vascular system and an expanded position for extension across a blood vessel such that blood passing through the blood vessel is delivered through the filer element. A proximal inlet portion of the filter body has one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. A distal outlet portion of the filter body has a plurality of generally circular outlet openings sized to allow through-passage of blood, but to retain embolic material within the filter body. The distal outlet portion of the filter body in the region of the outlet openings has means for reducing shear stress on blood passing through the outlet openings. The shear stress reducing means includes lead-in and lead-out radiussed portioins of the filter body leading to the outlet holes.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter 1 for retrieval of an embolic protection filter from a vasculature. The catheter 1 comprises a proximal hypotube 3, a radially offset distal shaft 4 and a centring shank 9. A guidewire lumen 13 is provided through the shank 9 in communication with a larger guidewire lumen 7 through the shaft 4 for a continuous guidewire passageway to accommodate passage of a guidewire 21 through the shank 9, the shaft 4 and out through a proximal guidewire opening 6 to facilitate rapid exchange of the catheter 1 over a guidewire 21. The shank 9 is movable between an introduction configuration in which the shank 9 protrudes distally from the shaft 4 to centre the catheter 1 during advancement through a vasculature, and a retrieval configuration in which the shank 9 is located within the guidewire lumen 7 to facilitate retrieval of an embolic protection filter into the shaft 4.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter having a retrieval catheter tip 1 at a distal end thereof, the tip being suitable for retrieving an embolic protection filter into the tip 1. The tip 1 comprises a flexible tip body 2 and two stiff reinforcement columns 3. The tip body 2 is radially expandable to facilitate retrieval of a filter into the tip 1, and the columns 3 extend longitudinally along the tip body 2 to prevent buckling of the tip 1 upon retrieval of the filter into the tip. The cross-sectional area of the columns 3, the cross sectional area of the tip body 2, and the overall cross-sectional area of the tip 1 all remain substantially unchanged along the length of the tip 1. This ensures the reinforcement provided to the tip 1 by the columns 3 remains substantially uniform along the length of the tip 1. Thus no longitudinal squeezing of the filter as it is retrieved into the tip 1 will be caused.

Abstract: A collapsible filter element for a transcatheter embolic protection device, the filter element comprises a collapsible filter body of polymeric material which is movable between a collapsed stored position for movement through a vascular system and an expanded position for extension across a blood vessel such that blood passing through the blood vessel is delivered through the filer element. A proximal inlet portion of the filter body has one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. A distal outlet portion of the filter body has a plurality of generally circular outlet openings sized to allow through-passage of blood, but to retain embolic material within the filter body. The distal outlet portion of the filter body in the region of the outlet openings has means for reducing shear stress on blood passing through the outlet openings. The shear stress reducing means includes lead-in and lead-out radiussed portioins of the filter body leading to the outlet holes.

Abstract: An embolic protection device (100) comprises a collapsible filter element (105) for delivery through a vascular system of a patient The filter element (105) comprising a collapsible filter body (110) and a filter support frame (111) contacting the filter body (110). The collapsible filter body (110) has an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the filter body having one or more inlet openings (117) sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body (110), the outlet end of the filter body having a plurality of outlet openings (119) sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body (110). The filter support frame (111) is movable between a collapsed position for movement through the vascular system and an extended outwardly projecting position to support the filter body (110) in the expanded position.

Abstract: An assembly for loading a collapsible embolic protection filter 1 into a catheter 2, comprises a catheter 2 defining a reception space at a distal end of the catheter 2 for receiving a collapsed embolic protection filter 1; and a separate removable pushing device 8 for delivering the embolic protection filter 1 into the reception space. The pushing device 8 comprises an elongate stem 71 with a proximal stop 72 for engagement with the filter 1. A separate loading device 7 to collapse the embolic protection filter 1 is also provided. The loading device 7 defines an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end being configured for co-operative alignment with the reception space.