Distal protection mechanically attached filter cartridge

A method of coupling a distal protection filter to a guidewire, comprising the steps of:

• providing a guidewire;
• providing a tubular adaptor having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending therethrough, and a cap slidably disposed thereabout, wherein the distal end includes a holding receptacle;
• disposing the guidewire within the lumen, coupling the tubular adaptor to the guidewire;
• providing a distal protection filter having a plurality of struts;
• coupling the struts to the holding receptacle;
• and
• sliding the cap over the struts.

A method of coupling a distal protection filter to a guidewire, comprising the steps of providing

• an elongate shaft;
• providing a mechanical attachment having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending therethrough, and a cap slidably disposed thereabout, wherein the distal end includes a holding receptacle having one or more grooves;
• disposing the shaft within the lumen,
• coupling the mechanical attachment to the shaft;
• providing a distal protection filter having a plurality of struts;
• disposing the struts within the grooves;
• and
• sliding the cap over the struts.

A distal protection filter assembly, comprising:

• an adaptor having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;
• a seal tube disposed within the lumen of the adaptor;
• wherein the distal end of the adaptor includes a holding receptacle;
• one or more bearings disposed between the seal tube and the holding receptacle, the bearings adapted and configured to permit rotation of the seal tube relative to the adaptor;
• a cap disposed about the holding receptacle;
• a distal protection filter having a plurality of struts, the struts being coupled to the holding receptacle.