Embolic protection system

An embolic protection system comprising:

• an embolic protection filter having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration;
• in the collapsed configuration, the filter being at least partially folded;
• an adhesion preventer to substantially prevent adhesion of adjacent folds of the filter to one another in the collapsed configuration;
• a delivery catheter having a reception space, the embolic protection filter being housed in the collapsed configuration in the reception space of the delivery catheter;
• and
• a sealed sterile pouch housing the delivery catheter containing the filter in the collapsed configuration.

A method for providing embolic protection during a vascular procedure comprising the steps of:

• providing an embolic protection system comprising a sealed sterile pouch containing a delivery catheter with a reception space, an embolic protection filter being housed in the reception space in a collapsed configuration;
• opening the pouch;
• removing the delivery catheter containing the embolic protection filter in the collapsed configuration from the pouch;
• and flushing the filter in the collapsed configuration within the delivery catheter.