Catheter-based apparatuses and methods

A method comprising:

• deploying the distal end of an outer catheter into vascular tissue, the outer catheter extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the outer catheter including
• a first shaft within the outer catheter and extending through the outer catheter from the proximal end to the distal end and being configured and arranged to move within the outer catheter, the first shaft having an end portion configured and arranged to retract within the proximal end,
• a second shaft extending through the outer catheter, the second shaft being configured and arranged to move relative to the first shaft and having an end portion that extends beyond the end portion of the first shaft, at least a portion of the second shaft being configured and arranged to retract into the outer catheter, and
• a filter configured and arranged to pass human red blood cells and to mitigate the passage of particles having a dimension larger than the human red blood cells, the filter having a perimeter structure that is connected to the second shaft;
• manipulating the first and second shafts relative to one another to expand the filter to a first state by positioning a portion of the second shaft in a first position relative to the first shaft, the filter having a dimension that is wider than a cross-sectional area of the outer catheter in the first state, and covering an opening in a sidewall of the vascular tissue with the filter and with a surface area of the filter conforming to portions of the sidewall around the opening;
• in the first state, using the filter to pass human red blood cells and to mitigate the passage of particles having a dimension larger than the human red blood cells:
• manipulating the first and second shafts relative to one another to collapse the filter to a second state;
• and
• in the second state, moving the first shaft relative to the outer catheter to retract the filter into the outer catheter.

A capillary-based apparatus for filtering blood flow from the upper aortic arch of human vascular tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• an outer catheter extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end being configured and arranged for insertion into the upper aortic arch;
• a first shaft extending through the catheter from the proximal end to the distal end and being configured and arranged to move within the outer catheter, the first shaft having an end portion configured and arranged to retract within the proximal end;
• a second shaft extending through the outer catheter, the second shaft being configured and arranged to move relative to the first shaft within the outer catheter, at least a portion of the second shaft being configured and arranged to retract into the outer catheter;
• and
• a filter having a filter material configured and arranged to pass human red blood cells and to mitigate the passage of particles having a dimension larger than the human red blood cells, the filter having a perimeter structure connected to the second shaft and having an end portion connected to the first shaft, the filter being configured and arranged with the first and second shafts to
• expand the filter material to a first state in which the perimeter structure is spread apart, in response to a portion of the second shaft being extended out of the outer catheter toward the end portion of the first shaft, the filter having a dimension that is wider than a cross-sectional area of the outer catheter in the first state and configured and arranged to conform to a sidewall of the vascular tissue and cover an opening therein, with a portion of a surface area of the filter conforming to portions of the sidewall around the opening, and
• collapse the filter material to a second state and trap particles on the filter therein, in response to the second shaft being drawn into the outer catheter and away from the end portion of the first shaft, the filter and outer catheter being configured and arranged to facilitate retraction of the filter with the trapped particles into the outer catheter in the second state.

An apparatus comprising:

• a catheter extending from a proximal end to a distal end;
• a shaft extending in the catheter from the proximal end to the distal end and being configured and arranged to move within the catheter;
• and
• a filter component connected to the shaft and configured and arranged to retract within the distal end, the filter component including
• a mesh sheet having first and second opposing surfaces,
• a frame structure coupled to a perimeter of the mesh and configured and arranged to conform the first surface of the mesh to a wall of vascular tissue.