Abstract: A system for enabling the insertion and removal of an embolic protection device, for capturing and retaining embolic debris which may be created during the performance of a therapeutic interventional procedure in a stenosed or occluded region of a blood vessel. The system, in a version of an embodiment thereof, enables the device to expand upon deployment thereof so as to seal off the inner surface of a blood vessel, to inhibit the forming of a gap therein, for inhibiting embolic material from passing therethrough. The system, in another version of the embodiment thereof, enables the device to navigate through confined spaces in tortuous anatomy.

Abstract: An embolic protection device for use in a blood vessel when an interventional procedure is being performed in a stenosed or occluded region to capture any embolic material which may be created and released into the bloodstream during the procedure. The device includes a filtering assembly having a self-expanding strut assembly and a filter element attached thereto. In one embodiment, the filtering assembly is attached to the distal end of a guide wire and is deployed within the patient's vasculature as the guide wire is manipulated into the area of treatment. A restraining sheath placed over the filtering assembly in a coaxial arrangement maintains the filtering assembly in its collapsed position until it is ready to be deployed by the physician. Thereafter, the sheath can be retracted to expose the filtering assembly which will then self-expand within the patient's vasculature.

Abstract: A delivery system for an expandable filter device includes a dual lumen delivery sheath which has a lumen for receiving the expandable filter device and a lumen for receiving a primary guide wire. The primary guide wire is utilized to place the delivery sheath and expandable filter into the desired region of the patient's vasculature via an over-the-wire or rapid-exchange arrangement. The delivery sheath can be protracted over the expandable filter device to allow the filter to be deployed within the patient's vasculature at the desired location. The delivery system can be embodied in an alternative design in which the primary guide wire extends through a guide wire lumen located in an obturator which forms part of the expandable filter device. Again, the primary guide wire is utilized to maneuver the filter device into the desired area via an over-the-wire arrangement.

Abstract: An intravascular filter device for capturing embolic particles entrained in blood flowing in an arterial vessel during an interventional procedure. The filter includes an expandable strut assembly and a filtering medium. Each strut is coated with an elastic polymer in order to minimize trauma to an arterial lumen upon deployment of the filter and to ensure secure adhesion of the filtering medium to the struts. Attached to the coating of the strut assembly is the filtering medium which is formed from a thin elastic polymer membrane containing a plurality of holes which allow blood to pass through filter while capturing embolic particles. The filtering medium is attached to the layer of polymeric material by laser welding, ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding.

Abstract: A deployment control system provides controlled deployment of an embolic protection device which may include a guide wire, an expandable filter attached to the guide wire near its distal end, and a restraining sheath that maintains the expanded filter in a collapsed position. The deployment control system includes a torque control device which allows the physician to torque the guide wire into the patient's anatomy and a mechanism for preventing the guide wire from buckling as the restraining sheath is being retracted to deploy the expandable filter. A recovery control system for recovering the embolic protection device includes an inner catheter which extends within a lumen of an outer recovery sheath in a coaxial arrangement. A distal portion of the inner catheter extends beyond another recovery sheath during advancement of the recovery system into the vasculature. The recovery sheath can be advanced over the inner catheter to collapse the expandable filter.

Abstract: A flush tool provides a method of evacuating air from an intraluminal catheter. The tool has two valves which independently seal the tool to the catheter. In order to receive pressurized fluids the tool includes a flush port. When the tool is placed over the auxiliary lumen port of a rapid exchange catheter, it is capable of flushing air from the auxiliary lumen.

Abstract: A system used in a blood vessel when an interventional procedure is being performed in a stenosed or occluded region to capture any embolic material which may be created and released into the bloodstream during the procedure. The system includes filtering elements which are capable of occluding a blood vessel distal to an interventional procedure site, while enabling the blood to flow past the occlusion and filtering the blood to capture embolic material which may be released into the blood during a therapeutic interventional procedure. The filtering elements include an expandable member which is capable of being expanded distal to the area of treatment at the interventional procedure site for occluding the blood vessel and for enabling the blood to pass therethrough while preventing emboli from passing therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a guidewire having an elongate core member with a proximal section and a distal section. The distal section has at least one tapered segment, wherein the elongate core member tapers distally to a reduced diameter. Preferably, the tapered segments of the distal section of the elongate core member are marked with radiopaque markers to indicate where a tapered segment begins or ends. A proximal coil having a rectangular cross section and at least one distal coil having a round cross section are disposed around at least a portion of the distal section of the elongate core member. The proximal end of the proximal coil is attached to the distal section of the elongate core member. The distal coils can be made of a material that is radiopaque or non-radiopaque. If one of the distal coils is radiopaque, it may be made from a radiopaque material or it may be made of a hollow tube of non-radiopaque material that is filled with material that is at least partially radiopaque.