Shape memory metal emboli trap

A method of collecting embolic debris comprising:

• providing an embolus trap device having a proximal and a distal end comprising:
• an outer catheter having an interior lumen;
• an inner catheter disposed within the interior lumen of the outer catheter;
• a plurality of basket fixture points along length of the inner catheter;
• a plurality of filter baskets disposed at the basket fixture points of the inner catheter, the filter baskets comprising a plurality of struts and a mesh disposed about the plurality of struts, the mesh having a plurality of openings formed therethrough, the filter baskets having a closeable mouth portion having an inner diameter, the filter baskets being placed at the basket fixture points in order of increasing size of the inner diameter of the mouth portions from the proximal to the distal end of the embolus trap device;
• and a plurality of collapse wires, one of the plurality of collapse wires being attached to the filter baskets;
• deploying the embolus trap device percutaneously into a vessel or cavity of a patient's body;
• moving the inner catheter through the embolic mass;
• opening the plurality of filter baskets to deploy the device in its expanded state;
• filling the filter baskets with debris as the embolus disintegrates;
• closing the filter baskets by the collapse wires to return the device to its collapsed state;
• and
• retracting the embolus trap device from the patient's body.

An embolus trap device having a proximal and a distal end comprising:

• an outer catheter having an interior lumen;
• an inner catheter disposed within the interior lumen of the outer catheter and having a breakage cone at its distal end;
• a plurality of basket fixture points along length of the inner catheter;
• a plurality of filter baskets having an exterior surface and comprising a body portion made of woven NITINOL and a closeable mouth portion having an inner diameter comprising a NITINOL ring, the filter baskets being placed at the basket fixture points in order of increasing size of the inner diameter of the mouth portions from the proximal to the distal end of the embolic protection device;
• and a plurality of collapse wires disposed about the exterior surfaces of the filter baskets, the collapse wires being configured to constrict the filter baskets when pulled toward the proximal end of the embolic protection device.