Embolic protection during percutaneous heart valve replacement and similar procedures

摘要

Various devices are described to provide filtering of flow from the aorta to the left carotid artery and the right carotid artery. The filters can be brought into a desired position through one or more peripheral arteries. A single filter device can provide the desired filtering or a plurality of devices can be used. In particular a single filter device can span between the brachiocephalic artery and the left carotid artery. These filter devices can be used effectively to capture emboli generated during procedures on the heart so that emboli do not travel to the patient's brain where the emboli can cause a stroke or other adverse event. In particular, these filters can be used during percutaneous procedures on the heart, such as endovascular heart valve replacement.

主权项

1. A filtration system comprising:
a catheter comprising a tubular element having a proximal end and a distal end, an occlusive element mounted toward the distal end on the exterior of the tubular element, a lumen extending through the tubular element with a distal opening, a first filter element at a securely fixed position proximal to the distal opening, an open portion of the tubular element proximal to the occlusive element near the distal end in fluid communication with the first filter element, wherein the first filter element is configured to filter flow entering the lumen at the distal opening as unfiltered flow before the flow exits the catheter through the open portion of the tubular element; and a filter device comprising a guide structure and a second filter element distinct from the first filter element mounted on the guide structure, wherein the guide structure extends within the lumen of the catheter, which is configured for the delivery of the second filter element mounted on the guide structure.