Patent ID: 7404820
Filing Date: 2008-07-29
Classification: A61B,A61F,B21F

Abstract:
1. A method for capturing emboli from blood flowing through a body vessel during therapeutic treatment at a treatment site in the vessel comprising: introducing a guidewire into the vessel; advancing the guidewire distally through the vessel; positioning a distal end of the guidewire at a location distal to the treatment site; introducing an elongate introduction member into the vessel; advancing the elongate introduction member distally through the vessel; positioning a distal end of the elongate introduction member at a location distal to the treatment site; removing the elongate introduction member from the vessel; after the elongate introduction member has been removed introducing a treatment catheter into the vessel; advancing the treatment catheter distally over the guidewire; positioning the treatment catheter at the treatment site; performing a therapeutic treatment at the treatment site with the treatment catheter; capturing emboli released into the blood during the therapeutic treatment at a location between the treatment site and the distal end of the guidewire; removing the treatment catheter from the vessel; after the treatment catheter has been removed introducing a retrieval member into the vessel; advancing the retrieval member distally over the guidewire; and retrieving the captured emboli from the vessel with the retrieval member.