Patent ID: 7172614

Claim:
An inner support structure for an embolic filtering device, the inner support structure comprising: a first support region positioned substantially longitudinally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the inner support structure, the first support region including a substantially longitudinal tubular member having an exterior surface, a first end, a second end and a cavity therebetween; a second support region positioned substantially longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the inner support structure, the second support region including a substantially longitudinal tubular member having an exterior surface, a first end, a second end and a lumen therebetween, a cross section of the exterior surface of the second support region which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner support structure being smaller than a cross section of the exterior surface of the first support region which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner support structure; a transition portion coupled to the second end of the first support region and the first end of the second support region, the transition portion forming a surface at the second end of the cavity of the first support region; and at least one deflectable tab positioned on the first support region which is adapted to lock the inner support structure to a guide wire.