Patent ID: 7651514

Claim:
A filter system comprising: a guide tip having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the guide tip defining a guidewire lumen therethrough adapted to receive and slidably pass a guidewire; an elongated wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of said elongated wire attached to the proximal portion of said guide tip at a point of attachment; an embolic protection filter disposed along the elongated wire; an elongated tubular member extending distally to a distal end defining a distal sheath, the elongated tubular member defining a first lumen, having a proximal and a distal end, adapted to receive the elongated wire and a second, generally parallel lumen having proximal and distal ports, adapted to receive the guidewire; wherein, when the guidewire is present in use, the embolic protection filter is collapsible at least in part within the distal sheath, further wherein, when the embolic protection filter is collapsed in part within the distal sheath, a portion of the guidewire within the second lumen of the elongated tubular member adjacent the distal port of the second lumen is generally coplanar with a portion of the guidewire within the guidewire lumen of the guide tip, a portion of the elongated wire within the first lumen of the elongated tubular member adjacent the distal end of the first lumen, and the point of attachment of the elongated wire to the guide tip.