Percutaneous catheter and guidewire having filter and medical device deployment capabilities

A filtering device, comprising:

• a guidewire having a proximal section and a distal section;
• and
• a filter assembly coupled to the distal section of the guidewire;
• wherein the filter assembly includes a plurality of substantially cylindrical, expandable filter elements, the filter elements configured to substantially engage a wall of a blood vessel in an expanded condition.

An embolic protection device, comprising:

• a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• a filter assembly including a first expandable sponge-like element and a second expandable sponge-like element mounted on the guidewire;
• wherein the sponge-like elements are configured to substantially engage a wall of a blood vessel and permit blood to pass through the elements;
• wherein the sponge-like elements are configured to capture embolic material within the elements.

An embolic protection device, comprising:

• a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• a filter assembly including a first substantially cylindrical, expandable sponge and a second substantially cylindrical, expandable sponge fixedly attached to the guidewire, the sponges configured to permit blood to pass freely through the sponges;
• wherein each of the sponges has a peripheral surface configured to substantially engage a wall of a blood vessel when the filter assembly is in an uncompressed state;
• wherein each of the sponges has a proximal surface and a distal surface. wherein the proximal surface is sufficiently porous to allow embolic particles to enter the sponge and the distal surface is sufficiently dense to capture and contain the embolic particles within the sponge.