Patent ID: 7323002

Claim:
An emboli extraction catheter and vascular filter system for insertion into a lumen of a vessel, said system comprising: a) a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end; b) a vascular filter attached near said distal end of said guidewire, said filter comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a plurality of struts extending therebetween, said filter further comprising a porous flexible filter membrane, with said porous flexible filter membrane connected to said filter distal portion and said plurality of struts, said porous filter membrane having a length less than the length of said plurality of struts, said vascular filter having a smaller first diameter for insertion into said lumen, and a second larger diameter for expanding to substantially equal the diameter of said lumen and to be placed in generally sealing relationship with said lumen; c) a flexible catheter having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, a proximal end and a distal end, a proximal portion and a distal portion, and an inner lumen, with said proximal end of said guidewire slidably insertable into said distal end of said catheter; d) a ratio-opaque tip near said distal end of said catheter; and e) a hub permanently attached to said proximal end of said catheter, said hub having an outer diameter rand an inner diameter, a proximal end and a distal end, and an inner lumen said hub further comprising a sideport and means for maintaining a seal on the guidewire, said lumen of said hub being in fluid communication with said lumen of said catheter.