Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
  • A61F2/01—Filters implantable into blood vessels
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
  • A61F2/01—Filters implantable into blood vessels
  • A61F2/013—Distal protection devices, i.e. devices placed distally in combination with another endovascular procedure, e.g. angioplasty or stenting
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
  • A61F2/01—Filters implantable into blood vessels
  • A61F2/011—Instruments for their placement or removal
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
  • A61F2/95—Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
  • A61F2/962—Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts having an outer sleeve
  • A61F2/97—Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts having an outer sleeve the outer sleeve being splittable
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
  • A61F2/01—Filters implantable into blood vessels
  • A61F2002/016—Filters implantable into blood vessels made from wire-like elements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F2250/00—Special features of prostheses classified in groups A61F2/00 - A61F2/26 or A61F2/82 or A61F9/00 or A61F11/00 or subgroups thereof
  • A61F2250/0058—Additional features; Implant or prostheses properties not otherwise provided for
  • A61F2250/0096—Markers and sensors for detecting a position or changes of a position of an implant, e.g. RF sensors, ultrasound markers
  • A61F2250/0098—Markers and sensors for detecting a position or changes of a position of an implant, e.g. RF sensors, ultrasound markers radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
  • A61M2205/75—General characteristics of the apparatus with filters
  • A61M2205/7545—General characteristics of the apparatus with filters for solid matter, e.g. microaggregates

Definitions

• Cerebral embolism is a known complication of such procedures where embolic particles which may include thrombus, atheroma, and lipids may dislodge during the implantation procedure, enter the blood stream embolizing in the brain and other vital organs. Cerebra embolism could result in serious neurological deficits, stroke, and even death. Furthermore, embolism in vital organs such as kidneys could severely compromise the function of these organs resulting in hospitalization, diminished quality of life and in some cases death. Therefore, preventing the embolism in the brain and other vital organs could hugely benefit the patient by improving the outcome of these procedures.
• Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods, systems and devices for embolic protection, and more specifically, to methods, systems, and devices for embolic protection for surgical systems and methods including, for example, delivery/implanting systems as well as methods for delivering or implanting prosthetic heart valves into the heart, or performing a cardiac or blood vessel procedure, where capturing or otherwise trapping emboli dislodged or created during the procedure is necessary so as to prevent complications associated therewith (e.g., strokes).
• delivery/implanting systems as well as methods for delivering or implanting prosthetic heart valves into the heart, or performing a cardiac or blood vessel procedure, where capturing or otherwise trapping emboli dislodged or created during the procedure is necessary so as to prevent complications associated therewith (e.g., strokes).
• an embolic protection system comprises or otherwise includes an inner-body having a body diameter and a distal section, and an expandable filter arranged on or adjacent at least the distal section of the inner-body.
• the filter is configured to include a plurality of pores sized between, in some embodiments, approximately O.lOOmm-1.000mm, to allow the flow of the blood with limited interruption and capture of emboli greater than the pore size.
• Such embodiments may further include a radiopaque marker arranged on one or more areas of at least one of the filter and distal section of the inner-body, where the marker may comprise at least one strand of at least one of platinum and gold included with the filter, and/or a coating of at least one of platinum and gold.
• the above-noted embodiments may further include an expandable introducer sheath (IS), which may also be referred to as a sleeve, having a sheath diameter configured to accommodate the inner- body and filter, including the distal portion, when unexpanded.
• the introducer sheath may include a wall having a thickness, in some embodiments, of between approximately 0.025 to 0.250 mm.
• the introducer sheath may further include an introducer hub arranged on a proximal end thereof, and a flush port.
• the above-noted embodiments may further include a tear-away (TA) sleeve having a sleeve diameter configured to accommodate the introducer sheath containing the inner-body and filter when unexpanded, and a dilator having a dilator diameter configured fit within the introducer sheath and within the body diameter, where the dilator may include a conical distal tip and a proximal dilator hub.
• TA tear-away
• the TA sleeve includes at least one pull-tab at a proximal end and is configured to tear or otherwise separate along at least a portion of its length beginning at the proximal end at least initially via the at least one pull-tab as the TA sleeve is pulled or otherwise directed proximally prior to expansion of at least the filter; at least the filter expands as it is distally exposed by the withdrawal of the introducer sheath in the proximal direction, such that the introducer sheath proximally folds upon itself in an accordion-like fashion; at least a portion of the filter and/or distal section of the inner-body is configured to expand to a size to apply a force against an inner wall of a blood vessel upon which the filter and/or distal section of the inner-body is positioned; the introducer sheath is configured to expand over at least a portion of its length between approximately 10 cm and 30 cm; and/or at least the expanded filter is
• an embolic protection system comprises an expandable filter including a plurality of pores sized between, in some embodiments, approximately 0.100 mm-1.000 mm, to allow the flow of the blood with limited interruption and capture of emboli greater than the pore size, an introducer sheath having a sheath diameter configured to accommodate at least the filter when unexpanded, where the introducer sheath includes a wall having a thickness of between, in some embodiments, approximately 0.025 to 0.250 mm, and a tear-away (TA) sleeve having a sleeve diameter configured to accommodate the introducer sheath containing at least filter when unexpanded.
• TA tear-away
• the TA sleeve is configured to tear or otherwise separate along at least a portion of its length beginning at the proximal end as the TA sleeve is pulled or otherwise directed proximally prior to expansion of the filter, and the filter expands as it is distally exposed by the withdrawal of the introducer sheath in the proximal direction, such that the introducer sheath proximally folds upon itself.
• Such embodiments may include one and/or another (and in some embodiments, a plurality of, and in further embodiments, all of) of the following features, clarifications, structures, or functionality (as applicable): at least the expanded filter is configured for recapture after expansion by the distal end of the introducer sheath upon distal movement of the introducer sheath ; the introducer sheath proximally folds upon itself in an accordion-like fashion; an inner-body having a body diameter and a distal section; the filter is arranged on or adjacent at least the distal section of the inner-body; a radiopaque marker arranged on one or more areas of at least the filter; o the marker may comprise at least one strand of at least one of platinum and gold included with the filter, and/or a coating of at least one of platinum and gold; a radiopaque marker arranged on one or more areas of at least one of the filter and distal section of the inner-body; o the marker may comprise at least one strand of at least one
• an embolic protection introducer sheath comprises a sleeve having a sheath diameter configured to accommodate at least an expandable filter when unexpanded.
• the introducer sheath may include a wall having a thickness of between approximately 0.025 to 0.250 mm, and the filter may be configured to expand as it is distal ly exposed by movement of the introducer sheath in the proximal direction, such that the introducer sheath proximally folds upon itself.
• the introducer sheath is configured to recapture at least the expanded filter upon movement of the introducer sheath in a distal direction.
• the introducer sheath proximally is configured to fold-up upon itself in an accordion-like fashion, and/or the introducer sheath is configured to expand over at least a portion of its length between, in some embodiments, approximately 10 cm and 30 cm.
• an embolic protection method comprises: optionally providing an embolic protection system (EPS) according to any of the disclosed system and/or device embodiments, directing an/the EPS to a surgical location in a blood vessel or organ, pulling or otherwise moving a/the tear-away (TA) sleeve in a proximal direction, tearing or otherwise separating the TA sleeve along at least a portion of its length beginning at the proximal end as the TA sleeve is pulled or otherwise moved in the proximal direction, and pulling or otherwise directing an/the introducer sheath in a proximal direction to expose a/the filter, such that: as the filter is exposed it expands, and the introducer sheath folds upon itself.
• EPS embolic protection system
• At least a portion of the filter and/or a distal section of the inner-body is configured to expand to a size to apply a force against an inner wall of the blood vessel or organ upon which the filter and/or distal section of the inner-body is positioned.
• the method further includes recapturing the expanded filter by moving the introducer sheath distally.
• Such embodiments may include one and/or another (and in some embodiments, a plurality of, and in further embodiments, all of) of the following steps, features, clarifications, structures, or functionality (as applicable): performing a surgical procedure, such that, the filter is configured to capture emboli produced and/or dislodged by the procedure; the procedure is selected from the group consisting of: transvascular or transapical prosthetic heart valve implantation or native heart valve repair; expanding at least a portion of the length of the IS; and the at least a portion of the length of the introducer sheath is expanded between approximately 10 cm and 30 cm.
• Figure 1 is a side view of an inner-body member of a embolic protection system or device according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• Figure 2 is a side-view of a filter element according to some embodiments, which may be placed over or otherwise adjacent the inner-body of Figure 1, according to some embodiments of the disclosure;
• Figure 3A is a side-view of a filter element placed over or otherwise adjacent the inner- body of Figure 1, forming an assembly, according to some embodiments of the disclosure;
• Figure 3B is a perspective view of a filter and inner-body assembly, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• Figure 3C is another perspective view of a filter and inner-body assembly, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• Figure 3D is a side view of a filter and inner-body assembly, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• Figure 4 illustrates a side view of a tear-away (TA) sleeve, according to some embodiments of the disclosure
• Figure 5 is a side view of an expandable introducer sheath/sleeve assembly, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• Figure 6 is a side view of a tear-away introducer sheath according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• Figures 7A-B are side views of a first clamshell for encasing and/or sealing a first/handle portion of the tear-away introducer sheath of Figure 6, according to some embodiments, along with a second clamshell guide lumen for encasing and/or sealing the first clamshell, in both disassembled (Figure 7A), and assembled ( Figure 7B), according to some embodiments;
• Figure 8A is a side view of half of the second clamshell encasing and/or sealing the half first clamshell, as well as the handle portion being housed in half of the first clamshell, according to some embodiments;
• Figure 8B is a side view of the full second clamshell encasing and/or sealing the first clamshell, as well as the handle portion being housed in the first clamshell, according to some embodiments;
• Figure 9 is a side view of a dilator for use with the system and/or device according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• Figure 10 is a side view of an assembly of the tear-away sleeve and expandable introducer sheath assembly, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• Figure 11 is a side view of an assembly, according to some embodiments, including the dilator, the expandable introducer sheath/sleeve assembly, and tear-away sleeve;
• Figure 12A is a side view of the assembly prior to use, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• Figure 12B is a side view of the assembly upon to use, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• Figures 13A-B are side views of the introducer sleeve, illustrating sleeve functionality, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• Figures 14A-C illustrate overviews of use of an embolic protection system according to some embodiments of the disclosure, illustrating methodology for performing an exemplary procedure (e.g., cardiac, e.g., valve repair or implantation), according to some embodiments.
• an exemplary procedure e.g., cardiac, e.g., valve repair or implantation
• Figure 1 is a side view of an inner-body member 100 of an embolic protection system or device according to some embodiments.
• the inner-body 100 7 in some embodiments, can be a braided material, and can be made of Nitinol, stainless steel, and/or polymeric materials (whether braided material or otherwise).
• a distal section 102 can be configured with an expansion capability and/or shape (e.g., a bell shape, via, e.g., heat setting) so as to achieve a diameter larger that the diameter of a blood vessel/tissue where the inner-body or system is used (e.g., an aorta), and a tubular proximal section 104.
• an expansion capability and/or shape e.g., a bell shape, via, e.g., heat setting
• This functionality may be included so as to provide a radial outward force to push edges (at least) of the inner-body 100, and/or a filter (e.g., see Figure 2) arranged adjacent the inner-body 100, against the inner wall of a blood vessel (or other tissue).
• a filter e.g., see Figure 2
• FIG 2 is a side-view of a filter element (as referred to above) 200 shown in an expanded configuration, according to some embodiments, which ca n be in the form of a bell shape (similar to that of the bell shape of the inner-body illustrated in Figure 1).
• a filter element 200 may be placed over, within, or otherwise adjacent the inner-body (e.g., see Figures 3A-D), and in particular, positioned (in some embodiments) with the distal portion of the inner-body, forming an assembly (e.g., see Figure 3A).
• the filter 200 may also be configured as braided element, and may be made from Nitinol, stainless steel, and/or polymeric materials (whether braided material or otherwise).
• the pore size of the filter may be configured to allow the flow of the blood with limited interruption, but also enabling the capture of emboli and debris of a particu lar size (dictated by the pore size) by the filter. It will be appreciated, that in some embodiments, the distal end of the inner-body may be configured to inherently perform as a filter, and thus, a separate, distally mounted filter may be unnecessary.
• Figures 3A-D illustrate various views of an assembly 300 of the filter 302 and inner- body 304. Further to the tubular portion 306 of the inner-body 304, in some embodiments, this allows procedures to be conducted through the tubular portion, while the assembly 300 of the filter and inner-body function to filter any debris from the procedure.
• the proximal portion 308 of the inner-body can be configured to form a tubular body (which may also be referred to as a shaft), which is expandable (according to some embodiments), for example, the diameter can expand between 3mm and 10mm.
• the diameter of the tubular portion can be configured to accommodate medical implants (e.g., prosthetic heart valves, surgical equipment, and the like).
• a treatment device/implant can be delivered through the expandable proximal shaft first, and then through the expandable joint/neck/adaptor, and finally, through the filter area.
• the inner-body and filter element may comprise one element, which is affixed at a neck portion (e.g., 314), via any manner familiar to one of skill in the art, to a catheter 316 (portion 316 can be referred to as the inner-body tubular portion or a separate catheter portion joined to the inner-body/filter assembly).
• the catheter/guide-lumen portion 316 may, in some embodiments, comprise a mesh, similar to that of the inner-body (and/or filter).
• the neck portion 314 may be an adaptor or joiner to adapt/join the catheter 316 to the inner-body/filter assembly. This adaptor/joint can also be configured to be expandable.
• the filter element can comprise a portion of the inner-body, or otherwise be constructed of the same material (and the same or similar configuration).
• the distal end of the inner-body can be folded back upon itself so as to form a closer spacing of the mesh.
• the entire length (from proximal to distal, or substantially thereto) of the inner-body can be multi-layered so as to form a closer spacing of mesh along the entire length (or substantially the entire length).
• one or more platinum or gold wires can be included (e.g., woven) on or proximate to a distal edge of the filter (and/or the inner-body) to provide, for example, a radiopaque marker for placement of the filter under fluoroscopy.
• a portion of the distal end of the filter may be coated with gold (e.g., via vapor deposition).
• the filter and/or the braid may also be coated with anti-thrombogenic materials such as Heparin (for example).
• FIG 4 illustrates a side view of a tear-away (TA) sleeve 400, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
• the TA sleeve may include a radiopaque marker 402 (shown below distal ly located, for example), and at least one (and as illustrated, according to some embodiments, two) tearing "wings" or pull-tabs 404, configured for gripping by a medical professional (or in some embodiments, another device), so as to aid in tearing the sleeve 400 in at least two (2) portions (e.g., two halves), longitudinally along at least a portion of its length in some embodiments, or substantially its entire length (according to some embodiments).
• portions e.g., two halves
• Figure 5 is a side view of an assembly according to some embodiments, depicting an expandable introducer sheath/sleeve assembly 500, with distal portion 501 and proximal portion 502.
• the assembly includes an expandable introducer sheath/sleeve (IS) 503, having a wall thickness, in some embodiments, between approximately 0.025 and 0.250mm, and in some embodiments, approximately 0.050 mm.
• the introducer sheath 503 may be configured to cover the filter 507 and braided inner-body 509 for a smaller introduction/delivery profile for delivery into a blood vessel or organ (for example).
• Assembly 500 also includes an introducer hub 506, which can include functionality for connecting a flush tube 508 and corresponding port 510, for supplying fluids for a medical procedure.
• Figure 6 is another example of a tear-away introducer sheath 600, including a distal portion 601 and proximal portion 602, including wings/pull-tabs 604.
• the pull-tabs 60 in some embodiments, includes features 606a-d for connection with other elements or interlocking thereto.
• Figures 7A-B are side views, both disassembled and assembled, of a first clamshell housing 702A, B, which in some embodiments can be molded in a form to match or closely match that of the corresponding pull-tab portion of the introducer sleeve (see ref. no. 600, Figure 6).
• the first clamshell can be further encased and/or sealed (according to some embodiments), by a second clamshell housing 704A, B, which when assembled a portion of which forms a guide lumen (e.g., see description above, with respect to some embodiments).
• Figures 8A-B are side views of assembled halves 800 (Figure 8A "half”, Figure 8B "complete), illustrating the second clamshell 802 encasing and/or sealing the first clamshell 804, as well as the pull-tab portion of the introducer sleeve 806.
• the halves of the first and/or second clamshells housings are configured in parts/portions/halves, so that they can be removable to enable the TA sleeve to "tear apart”.
• Figure 9 illustrates is a side view of a dilator 900, with a distal end tip 902, for use with the system and/or device according to some embodiments of the disclosure, and dilator hub 906 arranged on a proximal end 908.
• Figure 10 is a side view of an assembly of the tear-away sleeve 1002, expandable introducer sheath assembly 1000 (including the inner-body and filter), according to some embodiments of the disclosure (see also, Figures 1-5, for example). Also shown is an introducer hub 1004, flush tube 1006, flush port 1008, TA sleeve 1010, and TA sleeve radiopaque marker 1012.
• FIG 11 illustrates a complete embolic protection system (EPS) 1100, according to some embodiments, including an inner-body having a body diameter and a distal section 1102, and an expandable filter arranged on or adjacent at least the distal section of the inner- body (not shown). Also shown, is the distal tip 1104 of the dilator 1106 component, assembled halves 1108 of the two clamshells (only guide lumen 1108 shown), as well as the tubular portion 1112 of system 1100, extending past the guide lumen 1108.
• the shaft can be made, in some embodiments, from braided materials (e.g., polymer, nitinol), and may also be covered by a thin sleeve.
• Figure 12A illustrates a side view of an assembly for an EPS 1200, according to some embodiments, including the dilator 1202 and distal dilator tip 1203, the expandable introducer sheath/sleeve assembly 1204, tear-away sleeve 1206, and located at the proximal end 1205, introducer hub 1208, with dilator hub 1210 and flush tube 1212 and port 1214.
• Figure 12B illustrates a side view of the EPS 1200, according to some embodiments, illustrating the tearing-apart of the tear-away sleeve 1206.
• tearing or otherwise separating the TA sleeve 1206 occurs along at least a portion of its length beginning at the proximal end 1201 as the TA sleeve 1206 is pulled or otherwise moved in the proximal direction. In some embodiments, this may occur prior to at least one of the filter 1216 and the braided inner body 1218 expanding.
• Figure 13A-B illustrate side views of at least some of the functionality of the introducer sheath 1300, illustrating how the filter 1302 (and/or distal end of the braided inner-body, in some embodiments) is exposed as the expandable sleeve 1304 is pulled back. In some embodiments, this results in the proximal section of the introducer sheath being collapsed in an, for example, accordion fashion 1306 on itself over the proximal braided section (for example).
• Such "Accordion" functionality includes any ability, shape, and/or form of the introducer sheath to collapse upon itself.
• FIGS 14A-C illustrate overviews of use of an embolic protection system 1400 according to some embodiments (e.g., see above), and also helps to illustrate methodology for performing an exemplary procedure (e.g., cardiac, e.g., valve repair or implantation).
• an/the embolic protection system 1400 is directed to a surgical location in a blood vessel or organ, via, entrance in a major blood vessel (e.g., femoral artery, carotid artery).
• a major blood vessel e.g., femoral artery, carotid artery
• TA tear-away
• the introducer sheath 1402 can then be pulled or otherwise directed in a proximal direction to expose a/the filter 1404 (which may also include a radiopaque edge marker 1405), such that, in some embodiments, as the filter is exposed, it expands (e.g., self-expansion), and the introducer sheath 1402 can fold-up upon itself in the proximal direction.
• a/the filter 1404 which may also include a radiopaque edge marker 1405
• at least a portion of the filter 1402 and/or a distal section of the inner-body is configured to expand to a size to apply a force against an inner wall of the blood vessel or organ upon which the filter and/or distal section of the inner-body is positioned, so as to insure, for example, no flow or emboli can escape the system/filter.
• the method further includes recapturing the expanded filter 1404 by moving the introducer sheath 1402 distal ly upon completion of a procedure.
• the introducer sheath 1402 is pulled back to capture the expandable filter 1404 into the distal end of the introducer sheath as the sleeve is pushed forward, prior to removal of the filter 1404 from aorta 1403 (for example).
• inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are a lso directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.
• any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.
• Embodiments disclosed herein may also be combined with one or more features, as well as complete systems, devices and/or methods, to yield yet other embodiments and inventions. Moreover, some embodiments, may be distinguishable from the prior art by specifically lacking one and/or another feature disclosed in the particular prior art reference(s); i.e., claims to such embodiments are distinguishable from the prior art by including one or more negative limitations.
• inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which examples has been provided.
• the acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.
• a reference to "A and/or B", when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
• the phrase "at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
• This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.
• At least one of A and B can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Transplantation (AREA)
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
• Cardiology (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Surgical Instruments (AREA)

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• 2019
  • 2019-11-15 US US17/294,348 patent/US20220000601A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2019-11-15 CA CA3119460A patent/CA3119460A1/en active Pending
  • 2019-11-15 JP JP2021526738A patent/JP7506070B2/ja active Active
  • 2019-11-15 EP EP19884225.4A patent/EP3880134A4/en active Pending
  • 2019-11-15 WO PCT/US2019/061739 patent/WO2020102679A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2019-11-15 CN CN201980075056.4A patent/CN113015506A/zh active Pending

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