Embolic filtering devices for bifurcated vessels

Claim 2

An embolic filtering device, comprising: a delivery device having, a first guide wire, the first guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, and a second guide wire, the second guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the second guide wire being coupled to the first guide wire and projecting distally from a distal-end region of the first guide wire, the intersection between the first guide wire and the second guide wire forming a junction; a filter support having, a first expandable deployment member coupled to the first guide wire, and a second expandable deployment member coupled to the first guide wire; and a filter element having, an opening at a proximal end coupled to the filter support, a first leg extending distally toward the distal end of the first guide wire from the first deployment member of the filter support, and a second leg extending distally toward the distal end of the second guide wire from the second deployment member of the filter support; wherein the distal-end region of the first guide wire extends through the first leg of the filter element and the second guide wire extends through the second leg of the filter element.

Claim 3

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the first guide wire further comprises a coil tip and the distal end of the second guide wire further comprises a coil tip.

Claim 4

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the first deployment member is a self-expanding loop.

Claim 5

The embolic filtering device of claim 3 , wherein the second deployment member is a self-expanding loop.

Claim 6

The embolic filtering device of claim 4 , wherein the first guide wire and the second guide wire substantially forming a plane, a center of the first loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on a side opposite from the second guide wire, and a center of the second loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on the same side as the second guide wire.

Claim 7

The embolic filtering device of claim 4 , wherein the first loop and the second loop are positioned substantially longitudinally aligned along the first guide wire.

Claim 8

The embolic filtering device of claim 4 , wherein the first loop and the second loop are positioned longitudinally offset along the first guide wire.

Claim 9

The embolic filtering device of claim 4 , wherein the size of the perimeter of the first loop and the size of the perimeter of the second loop are nonequal.

Claim 10

The embolic filtering device of claim 4 , wherein the opening at the proximal end of the filter element is coupled to the first loop and to the second loop.

Claim 11

The embolic filtering device of claim 9 , wherein the opening of the filter element is coupled to a portion of the perimeter of the first loop of the filter support.

Claim 12

The embolic filtering device of claim 9 , wherein the opening of the filter element is coupled to a portion of the perimeter of the second loop of the filter support.

Claim 13

The embolic filtering device of claim 4 , wherein: the first loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position proximate to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire and proximal to the junction, and the second loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position proximate to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire and proximal to the junction.

Claim 14

The embolic filtering device of claim 4 , wherein: the first loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire, and the second loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire.

Claim 15

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the first deployment member and the second deployment member are positioned substantially longitudinally aligned along the first guide wire.

Claim 16

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the first deployment member and the second deployment member are positioned longitudinally offset along the first guide wire.

Claim 17

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the opening at the proximal end of the filter element is coupled to the first deployment member and the second deployment member.

Claim 18

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , the proximal end of the second guide wire being coupled to the first guide wire within the distal-end region of the first guide wire.

Claim 19

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: the first guide wire is a hollow tubular member having a lumen throughout its length and an aperture within a wall of the tubular member positioned within the distal-end region; and the second guide wire is slidably coupled to the first guide wire and contained within the lumen of the first guide wire, the proximal end of the second guide wire extending beyond the proximal end of the first guide wire and the distal-end region of the second guide wire projecting from the aperture of the tubular member.

Claim 20

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , wherein the length of the first leg of the filter element and the length of the second leg of the filtering element are nonequal.

Claim 21

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: the first leg of the filter element tapers toward a distal end of the first leg; and the second leg of the filter element tapers toward a distal end of the second leg.

Claim 22

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: the first leg of the filter element further comprising an aperture at a distal end of the first leg; and the second leg of the filter element further comprising and aperture at a distal end of the second leg; wherein the first guide wire extends through the aperture at the distal end of the first leg of the filter element; and wherein the second guide wire extends through the aperture at the distal end of the second leg of the filter element.

Claim 23

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: the first deployment member is coupled to the first guide wire at a position proximate to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire and proximal to the junction, and the second deployment member is coupled to the first guide wire at a position proximate to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire and proximal to the junction.

Claim 24

The embolic filtering device of claim 1 , wherein: the first deployment member is coupled to the first guide wire at a position distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire, and the second deployment member is coupled to the first guide wire at a position distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire.

Claim 25

An embolic filtering device, comprising: a delivery device having, a first guide wire, the first guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, and a second guide wire, the second guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the second guide wire being coupled to the first guide wire and projecting distally from a distal-end region of the first guide wire, the intersection between the first guide wire and the second guide wire forming a junction, the first guide wire and the second guide wire substantially forming a plane; a filter support having, an expandable first loop coupled to the first guide wire, a center of the first loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on a side opposite the second guide wire, and an expandable second loop coupled to the first guide wire, a center of the second loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on the same side as the second guide wire; and a filter element having, an opening at a proximal end, the opening of the filter element being coupled to a portion of the perimeter of the first loop of the filter support and to a portion of the perimeter of the second loop of the filter support, a first leg extending distally toward the distal end of the first guide wire from the first loop of the filter support, and a second leg extending distally toward the distal end of the second guide wire from the second loop of the filter support; wherein the distal-end region of the first guide wire extends through the first leg of the filter element and the second guide wire extends through the second leg of the filter element.

Claim 26

An embolic filtering device, comprising: a delivery device having, a first guide wire, the first guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, and a second guide wire, the second guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the second guide wire being coupled to the first guide wire and projecting distally from a distal-end region of the first guide wire, the intersection between the first guide wire and the second guide wire forming a junction, the first guide wire and the second guide wire substantially forming a plane; a filter support having, an expandable first loop coupled to the first guide wire, a center of the first loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on a side opposite the second guide wire, and an expandable second loop coupled to the first guide wire, a center of the second loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on the same side as the second guide wire; and a filter element having, an opening at a proximal end, the opening of the filter element being coupled to a portion of the perimeter of the first loop of the filter support and to a portion of the perimeter of the second loop of the filter support, a first leg extending distally toward the distal end of the first guide wire from the first loop of the filter support, and a second leg extending distally toward the distal end of the second guide wire from the second loop of the filter support; wherein the distal-end region of the first guide wire extends through the first leg of the filter element and the second guide wire extends through the second leg of the filter element.

Claim 27

The embolic filtering device of claim 24 , wherein the first loop and the second loop are positioned substantially longitudinally aligned along the first guide wire.

Claim 28

The embolic filtering device of claim 24 , wherein the first loop and the second loop are positioned longitudinally offset along the first guide wire.

Claim 29

The embolic filtering device of claim 24 , wherein the size of the perimeter of the first loop and the size of the perimeter of the second loop are nonequal.

Claim 30

The embolic filtering device of claim 24 , the proximal end of the second guide wire being coupled to the first guide wire within the distal-end region of the first guide wire.

Claim 31

The embolic filtering device of claim 24 , wherein: the first guide wire is a hollow tubular member having a lumen throughout its length and an aperture within a wall of the tubular member positioned within the distal-end region of the first guide wire; and the second guide wire is slidably coupled to the first guide wire and contained within the lumen of the first guide wire, the proximal end of the second guide wire extending beyond the proximal end of the first guide wire and the distal-end region of the second guide wire projecting from the aperture of the tubular member.

Claim 32

The embolic filtering device of claim 24 , wherein the length of the first leg of the filter element and the length of the second leg of the filtering element are nonequal.

Claim 33

The embolic filtering device of claim 24 , wherein: the first leg of the filter element tapers toward a distal end of the first leg; and the second leg of the filter element tapers toward a distal end of the second leg.

Claim 34

The embolic filtering device of claim 24 , wherein: the first leg of the filter element further comprising an aperture at a distal end of the first leg; and the second leg of the filter element further comprising and aperture at a distal end of the second leg; wherein the first guide wire extends through the aperture at the distal end of the first leg of the filter element; and wherein the second guide wire extends through the aperture at the distal end of the second leg of the filter element.

Claim 35

The embolic filtering device of claim 24 , wherein: the first loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position proximate to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire and proximal to the junction, and the second loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position proximate to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire and proximal to the junction.

Claim 36

The embolic filtering device of claim 24 , wherein: the first loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire, and the second loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire.

Claim 37

An embolic filtering device for use in a bifurcated biological vessel, comprising: a delivery device having, a first guide wire for directing the embolic filtering device to a first branch of the bifurcated vessel, the first guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, and a second guide wire for directing the embolic filtering device to a second branch of the bifurcated vessel, the second guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the second guide wire being coupled to the first guide wire and projecting distally from a distal-end region of the first guide wire, the intersection between the first guide wire and the second guide wire forming a junction; a filter support having, an expandable first loop coupled to the first guide wire, the first loop including a preset deflection proximate the first end and second end of the first loop, the first loop diverging from a longitudinal axis of the first guide wire at the deflection of the first loop, and an expandable second loop coupled to the first guide wire, the second loop including a preset deflection proximate the first end and second end of the second loop, the second loop diverging from the longitudinal axis of the first guide wire at the deflection of the second loop; and a filter element having, an opening at a proximal end coupled to the filter support, a first leg extending distally toward the distal end of the first guide wire from the first loop of the filter support, the first leg tapering toward a distal end of the first leg, the distal end of the first leg having an aperture, a second leg extending distally toward the distal end of the second guide wire from the second loop of the filter support, the second leg tapering toward a distal end of the second leg, the distal end of the second leg having an aperture, and a crotch at a junction between the first leg and the second leg and positioned distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire; wherein the distal-end region of the first guide wire extends through the first leg of the filter element and through the aperture at the distal end of the first leg of the filter element and the second guide wire extends through the second leg of the filter element and through the aperture at the distal end of the second leg of the filter element.

Claim 38

An embolic filtering device for use in a bifurcated biological vessel, comprising: a delivery device having, a first guide wire for directing the embolic filtering device to a first branch of the bifurcated vessel, the first guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, and a second guide wire for directing the embolic filtering device to a second branch of the bifurcated vessel, the second guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the second guide wire being coupled to the first guide wire and projecting distally from a distal-end region of the first guide wire, the intersection between the first guide wire and the second guide wire forming a junction; a filter support having, an expandable first loop coupled to the first guide wire, the first loop including a preset deflection proximate the first end and second end of the first loop, the first loop diverging from a longitudinal axis of the first guide wire at the deflection of the first loop, and an expandable second loop coupled to the first guide wire, the second loop including a preset deflection proximate the first end and second end of the second loop, the second loop diverging from the longitudinal axis of the first guide wire at the deflection of the second loop; and a filter element having, an opening at a proximal end coupled to the filter support, a first leg extending distally toward the distal end of the first guide wire from the first loop of the filter support, the first leg tapering toward a distal end of the first leg, the distal end of the first leg having an aperture, a second leg extending distally toward the distal end of the second guide wire from the second loop of the filter support, the second leg tapering toward a distal end of the second leg, the distal end of the second leg having an aperture, and a crotch at a junction between the first leg and the second leg and positioned distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire; wherein the distal-end region of the first guide wire extends through the first leg of the filter element and through the aperture at the distal end of the first leg of the filter element and the second guide wire extends through the second leg of the filter element and through the aperture at the distal end of the second leg of the filter element.

Claim 39

The embolic filtering device of claim 35 , wherein: the distal end of the first guide wire further comprises a coil tip; and the distal end of the second guide wire further comprises a coil tip.

Claim 40

The embolic filtering device of claim 35 , wherein the first guide wire and the second guide wire substantially forming a plane, a center of the first loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on a side opposite from the second guide wire, and a center of the second loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on the same side as the second guide wire.

Claim 41

The embolic filtering device of claim 35 , wherein the first loop and the second loop are positioned substantially longitudinally aligned along the first guide wire.

Claim 42

The embolic filtering device of claim 35 , wherein the first loop and the second loop are positioned longitudinally offset along the first guide wire.

Claim 43

The embolic filtering device of claim 35 , wherein the size of the perimeter of the first loop and the size of the perimeter of the second loop are nonequal.

Claim 44

The embolic filtering device of claim 35 , wherein the opening at the proximal end of the filter element is coupled to the first loop and to the second loop.

Claim 45

The embolic filtering device of claim 41 , wherein the opening of the filter element is coupled to a portion of the perimeter of the first loop of the filter support.

Claim 46

The embolic filtering device of claim 41 , wherein the opening of the filter element is coupled to a portion of the perimeter of the second loop of the filter support.

Claim 47

The embolic filtering device of claim 35 , wherein the proximal end of the second guide wire being coupled to the first guide wire within the distal-end region of the first guide wire.

Claim 48

The embolic filtering device of claim 35 , wherein: the first guide wire is a hollow tubular member having a lumen throughout its length and an aperture within a wall of the tubular member positioned within the distal-end region of the first guide wire; and the second guide wire is slidably coupled to the first guide wire and contained within the lumen of the first guide wire, the proximal end of the second guide wire extending beyond the proximal end of the first guide wire and the distal-end region of the second guide wire projecting from the aperture of the tubular member.

Claim 49

The embolic filtering device of claim 35 , wherein the length of the first leg of the filter element and the length of the second leg of the filtering element are nonequal.

Claim 50

The embolic filtering device of claim 35 , wherein: the first loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position proximate to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire and proximal to the junction, and the second loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position proximate to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire and proximal to the junction.

Claim 51

The embolic filtering device of claim 35 , wherein: the first loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire, and the second loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire.

Claim 52

An embolic filtering device for use in a bifurcated biological vessel, comprising: a delivery device having, a first guide wire for directing the embolic filtering device to a first branch of the bifurcated vessel, the first guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, and a second guide wire for directing the embolic filtering device to a second branch of the bifurcated vessel, the second guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the second guide wire being coupled to the first guide wire and projecting distally from a distal-end region of the first guide wire, the intersection between the first guide wire and the second guide wire forming a junction, the first guide wire and the second guide wire substantially forming a plane; a filter support having, an expandable first loop coupled to the first guide wire, the first loop including a preset deflection proximate a first end and second end of the first loop, the first loop diverging from a longitudinal axis of the first guide wire at the deflection of the first loop, a center of the first loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on a side opposite the second guide wire, and an expandable second loop coupled to the first guide wire, the second loop including a preset deflection proximate a first end and second end of the second loop, the second loop diverging from the longitudinal axis of the first guide wire at the deflection of the second loop, a center of the second loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on the same side as the second guide wire; and a filter element having, an opening at a proximal end, the opening of the filter element being coupled to a portion of the perimeter of the first loop of the filter support and to a portion of the perimeter of the second loop of the filter support, a first leg extending distally toward the distal end of the first guide wire from the first loop of the filter support, the first leg tapering toward a distal end of the first leg, the distal end of the first leg having an aperture, a second leg extending distally toward the distal end of the second guide wire from the second loop of the filter support, the second leg tapering toward a distal end of the second leg, the distal end of the second leg having an aperture, and a crotch at a junction between the first leg and the second leg and positioned distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire; wherein the distal-end region of the first guide wire extends through the first leg of the filter element and through the aperture at the distal end of the first leg of the filter element; and wherein the second guide wire extends through the second leg of the filter element and through the aperture at the distal end of the second leg of the filter element.

Claim 53

An embolic filtering device for use in a bifurcated biological vessel, comprising: a delivery device having, a first guide wire for directing the embolic filtering device to a first branch of the bifurcated vessel, the first guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, and a second guide wire for directing the embolic filtering device to a second branch of the bifurcated vessel, the second guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the second guide wire being coupled to the first guide wire and projecting distally from a distal-end region of the first guide wire, the intersection between the first guide wire and the second guide wire forming a junction, the first guide wire and the second guide wire substantially forming a plane; a filter support having, an expandable first loop coupled to the first guide wire, the first loop including a preset deflection proximate a first end and second end of the first loop, the first loop diverging from a longitudinal axis of the first guide wire at the deflection of the first loop, a center of the first loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on a side opposite the second guide wire, and an expandable second loop coupled to the first guide wire, the second loop including a preset deflection proximate a first end and second end of the second loop, the second loop diverging from the longitudinal axis of the first guide wire at the deflection of the second loop, a center of the second loop being positioned substantially on the plane between the first guide wire and the second guide wire on the same side as the second guide wire; and a filter element having, an opening at a proximal end, the opening of the filter element being coupled to a portion of the perimeter of the first loop of the filter support and to a portion of the perimeter of the second loop of the filter support, a first leg extending distally toward the distal end of the first guide wire from the first loop of the filter support, the first leg tapering toward a distal end of the first leg, the distal end of the first leg having an aperture, a second leg extending distally toward the distal end of the second guide wire from the second loop of the filter support, the second leg tapering toward a distal end of the second leg, the distal end of the second leg having an aperture, and a crotch at a junction between the first leg and the second leg and positioned distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire; wherein the distal-end region of the first guide wire extends through the first leg of the filter element and through the aperture at the distal end of the first leg of the filter element; and wherein the second guide wire extends through the second leg of the filter element and through the aperture at the distal end of the second leg of the filter element.

Claim 54

The embolic filtering device of claim 49 , wherein the first loop and the second loop are positioned substantially longitudinally aligned along the first guide wire.

Claim 55

The embolic filtering device of claim 50 , wherein the first loop and the second loop are positioned longitudinally offset along the first guide wire.

Claim 56

The embolic filtering device of claim 50 , wherein the size of the perimeter of the first loop and the size of the perimeter of the second loop are nonequal.

Claim 57

The embolic filtering device of claim 49 , wherein the proximal end of the second guide wire being coupled to the first guide wire within the distal-end region of the first guide wire.

Claim 58

The embolic filtering device of claim 49 , wherein: the first guide wire is a hollow tubular member having a lumen throughout its length and an aperture within a wall of the tubular member positioned within the distal-end region of the first guide wire; and the second guide wire is slidably coupled to the first guide wire and contained within the lumen of the first guide wire, the proximal end of the second guide wire extending beyond the proximal end of the first guide wire and the distal-end region of the second guide wire projecting from the aperture of the tubular member.

Claim 59

The embolic filtering device of claim 49 , wherein the length of the first leg of the filter element and the length of the second leg of the filtering element are nonequal.

Claim 60

The embolic filtering device of claim 49 , wherein: the first loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position proximate to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire and proximal to the junction, and the second loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position proximate to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire and proximal to the junction.

Claim 61

The embolic filtering device of claim 49 , wherein: the first loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire, and the second loop is coupled to the first guide wire at a position distal to the junction between the first guide wire and the second guide wire.