Guide wire apparatus for prevention of distal atheroembolization

A guide wire apparatus comprising:

• an elongate flexible core wire having a proximal end and a flexible tip member fixed about a core wire distal region;
• a generally tubular, self-expanding protection element mounted coaxially about the core wire distal region, the protection element having a distal end fixedly coupled to the tip member and a proximal end slidingly disposed about the core wire distal region, wherein relative axial separation of the ends of the protection element causes transformation of the protection element from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration;
• an actuator sleeve having proximal and distal ends and being slidably disposed about the core wire distal region, the sleeve distal end being coupled to the proximal end of the protection element;
• and
• an elongate operator rod having proximal and distal ends and being slidably and removably disposed about the core wire, the rod comprising inner and outer tubes being axially moveable with respect to each other to operate a gripping mechanism disposed within the rod distal end, the gripping mechanism being releasably engageable with the sleeve proximal end to draw the sleeve proximally over the core wire, thus transforming the protection element from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration.

A guide wire apparatus comprising:

• an elongate flexible core wire having a proximal end, a distal region, and a flexible tubular element fixed about the core wire distal region;
• a generally tubular, self-expanding protection element mounted coaxially about the core wire, the protection element having distal and proximal ends slidingly disposed about the core wire, wherein relative longitudinal movement between the distal and proximal ends of the protection element accompanies a transformation of the protection element between a closed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• a tubular actuator fixed to the proximal end of the protection element and being slidably disposed about the core wire, the actuator having a proximal tapered surface and a fluid seal capable of slidingly sealing around the core wire;
• and
• an elongate hollow rod having a lumen and a distal end releasably engageable with the actuator by applying a partial vacuum through the lumen of the hollow rod, the hollow rod being slidably disposed about the core wire and being operable, when the rod distal end is engaged with the actuator, to draw the actuator proximally over the core wire, thus transforming the protection element from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration.