Patent ID: 6592546
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A method for protecting a patient from embolization during an open surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:providing a cannula having an outer surface, a distal end adapted to enter an artery, a proximal end, a filter disposed about the distal end of the cannula which is expandable between a contracted condition and an enlarged condition, and an occluder which is expandable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition; making an incision in an aorta; introducing a distal end of the cannula into the aorta through the incision while the filter is in the contracted condition; expanding the filter until the filter achieves contact with the endoluminal surface of the aorta; expanding the occluder to occlude the aorta in a region upstream of the filter, and thereafter contracting the occluder, wherein embolic material dislodged from the aorta is captured in the filter of the cannula; contracting the filter; and removing the cannula and captured embolic material from the aorta.