Methods and apparatus for capturing embolic debris during endovascular procedures

An embolic protection system for use in capturing embolic debris entrained within blood flowing along a blood vessel of a patient at a desired location that is downstream of a location at which an endovascular procedure is to be performed using a surgical component, said embolic protection system comprising:

• a filter having a first end and a second end, wherein said second defines an inlet opening and said first end defines an access opening;
• a filter delivery system coupled to said filter for delivery of said filter along the blood vessel to the desired location via an arterial approach, wherein said filter delivery system comprises:
• a sheath comprising a hollow sheath body that extends from an open sheath proximal end to an open sheath distal end and defines an internal sheath cavity therebetween, said open sheath ends and said internal sheath cavity defined by an inner surface of said sheath body and having a same, substantially constant inner diameter, wherein said sheath body extends continuously between said open sheath ends;
• and
• a hollow deployment tool comprising a hollow tool body that extends from a tool proximal end to an open tool distal end, wherein an outer surface of said deployment tool is slidably coupled to said inner surface of said sheath body such that a seal is defined therebetween, said deployment tool defining an internal tool cavity that extends from said tool distal end to said tool proximal end, said open tool distal end coupled to said filter first end;
• and
• a control mechanism coupled to said deployment tool proximal end, said control mechanism substantially prevents blood from exiting said tool cavity at said proximal end of said deployment tool, wherein when said filter is deployed at the desired location in the patient, (i) said filter second end defines a distal-most location of said embolic protection system, and (ii) said embolic protection system is adapted to pass the surgical component therethrough through said control mechanism, through said tool proximal end, through said sheath proximal end, through said sheath distal end, through said open tool distal end, and through said filter via said access opening and said inlet opening upstream to the location of the endovascular procedure.