Patent ID: 7037320
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An embolic protection device comprising: a collapsible filter element for delivery through a vascular system of a patient; the filter element comprising a collapsible filter body and a filter support for the filter body; the filter body having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end of the filter body having one or more inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material to enter the filter body, the outlet end of the filter body having a plurality of outlet openings sized to allow through passage of blood but to retain undesired embolic material within the filter body; the filter support being movable between a collapsed configuration for movement through the vascular system, and an extended outwardly projecting fully deployed configuration to support the filter body in an expanded configuration; the filter support comprising a plurality of portions, a first and second portion of said plurality of portions being interconnected by a strain distributing linking element; in the deployed configuration, the plurality of portions defining a hoop; and the hoop being substantially planar, with the plurality of portions lying within the plane of the hoop.