Abstract: A filter disposed at the distal end of an elongate guidewire. Catheters are provided for delivering the filter to, and retrieving the filter from, a treatment site. The catheters can be over-the-wire or single operator exchange. The catheters include a housing for receiving the filter therein. The housing has an atraumatic distal end.

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: A device for retrieving an intravascular device from a body lumen is disclosed. A retrieval device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a braided member coupled to an elongated shaft member. The braided member may include a number of filaments defining a radially expandable inner lumen configured to receive and encapsulate the intravascular device therein. An elastomeric jacket disposed about at least a portion of the braided member may encase the filaments.

Abstract: A filter disposed at the distal end of an elongate guidewire. Catheters are provided for delivering the filter to, and retrieving the filter from, a treatment site. The catheters can be over-the-wire or single operator exchange. The catheters include a housing for receiving the filter therein. The housing has an atraumatic distal end.

Abstract: An improved embolic protection filtering device. In at least some embodiments, an embolic protection filtering device includes a filter wire assembly. The filter wire assembly may include an elongate shaft, a tubular member, and an embolic protection 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: An improved embolic protection filtering device. In at least some embodiments, an embolic protection filtering device includes a filter wire assembly. The filter wire assembly may include an elongate shaft, a tubular member, and an embolic protection filter.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter having an inverted membrane with improved blood perfusion characteristics is disclosed. An embolic protection filter in accordance with the present invention comprises a filter frame disposable about a guidewire, a support hoop coupled to a plurality of expandable struts, and an inverted membrane for filtering embolic debris. The inverted membrane has a tapered proximal section and an enlarged diameter distal section. Features of the present invention permit the perfusion of blood through the filter irrespective of embolic debris entrained therein.

Abstract: A device for retrieving an intravascular device from a body lumen is disclosed. A retrieval device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a braided member coupled to an elongated shaft member. The braided member may include a number of filaments defining a radially expandable inner lumen configured to receive and encapsulate the intravascular device therein. An elastomeric jacket disposed about at least a portion of the braided member may encase the filaments.

Abstract: An improved embolic protection filtering device. In at least some embodiments, an embolic protection filtering device includes a filter wire assembly. The filter wire assembly may include an elongate shaft, a tubular member, and an embolic protection filter.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently from other cells of the stent. The side branch structure comprises a serpentine ring that extends around the inner side branch cell. The serpentine ring comprises alternating struts and turns. The turns comprise alternating inner turns and outer turns, and the inner turns comprise alternating first inner turns and second inner turns. The second inner turns are located farther away from a side branch center point than the first inner turns.

Abstract: A device for retrieving an intravascular device from a body lumen is disclosed. A retrieval device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a braided member coupled to an elongated shaft member. The braided member may include a number of filaments defining a radially expandable inner lumen configured to receive and encapsulate the intravascular device therein. An elastomeric jacket disposed about at least a portion of the braided member may encase the filaments.

Abstract: Devices and methods for magnetically centering and retrieving intravascular devices within a body lumen are disclosed. An intravascular filter in accordance with an illustrative embodiment may comprise an expandable filter structure having at least one magnetic element formed therein. The intravascular filter can be retrieved using a magnetic retrieval device that includes a magnetic retrieval mechanism for centering and retrieving the intravascular filter.

Abstract: An improved embolic protection filtering device. In at least some embodiments, an embolic protection filtering device includes a filter wire assembly. The filter wire assembly may include an elongate shaft, a tubular member, and an embolic protection 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.

Abstract: An improved embolic protection filtering device. In at least some embodiments, an embolic protection filtering device includes a filter wire assembly. The filter wire assembly may include an elongate shaft, a tubular member, and an embolic protection filter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stent having a generally tubular stent body with a first end region, a second end region, and a third region therebetween. The stent has a plurality of circumferential serpentine bands and a plurality of connector columns. Each connector column is located between two immediately adjacent serpentine bands, with each connector column having at least one connector. Connectors are connected at one end to one serpentine band and at the other end to an immediately adjacent serpentine band. The connectors of the first and second end regions have a first length which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the connectors of the third region have a length greater than the first length and form an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An expandable bifurcated stent is formed of a main body and a first branch. The body wall is made up of interconnected stent members that define a plurality of cells, at least one of which is a side opening. The first branch body extends from the body wall from at least two regions adjacent the side opening. At least one stent member adjacent the perimeter is bioabsorbable.

Abstract: A filter disposed at the distal end of an elongate guidewire. Catheters are provided for delivering the filter to, and retrieving the filter from, a treatment site. The catheters can be over-the-wire or single operator exchange. The catheters include a housing for receiving the filter therein. The housing has an atraumatic distal end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting intravascular devices through a body lumen are disclosed. A filter system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a guide tip having a guidewire lumen adapted to receive a guidewire, an elongated wire operatively coupled to an embolic protection filter, and a filter delivery device including an elongated tubular member extending distally to a distal sheath, the elongated tubular member may include a first lumen adapted to receive the elongated wire, and a second lumen adapted to receive the guidewire.