Patent ID: 6540712
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
Apparatus for removing emboli during an angioplasty or stenting procedure the apparatus comprising:a catheter having proximal and distal ends, an aspiration lumen and a guide wire lumen, each of the aspiration lumen and guide wire lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and a blood outlet port in communication with the aspiration lumen, the catheter adapted to be disposed in a patient's carotid artery; an occlusion element disposed on the distal end of the catheter and having an opening that communicates with the aspiration lumen, the occlusion element having a contracted state suitable for transluminal insertion and an expanded state wherein the occlusion element occludes antegrade flow in the artery; a venous return catheter having proximal and distal ends, a lumen extending therethrough, and a blood inlet port in communication with the lumen; tubing that couples the blood outlet port to the blood inlet port; a flow control valve coupled between the blood outlet port and blood inlet port; and a wire having a distal end and a balloon disposed on the distal end, wherein the wire and balloon are sized to pass through the guide wire lumen of the catheter.