Patent ID: 6989019
Filing Date: 2006-01-24
Classification: A61B,A61F,B21F

Abstract:
1. A device for filtering fluid flowing through a lumen defined by the wall of an anatomical structure comprising: a tubular sheath having a lumen; a guidewire; and a filter element carried on a distal portion of the guidewire such that the filter element is advanced through the lumen of the anatomical structure by advancing the guidewire and is retracted through the lumen of the anatomical structure by retracting the guidewire, the filter element having pores and having proximal and distal ends and being expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained in the lumen of the sheath to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained, the filter element in the expanded configuration having a proximally facing opening which is larger than the pores, the guidewire extending to at least the distal end of the filter element.