Catheter having a functional element

A method of using a catheter, the method comprising:

• providing the catheter the catheter including a functional element having at least a deployed configuration and an elongated configuration, the functional element comprising filaments and first and second connectors, the first connector connected to a first end of the filaments, and the second connector connected to a second end of the filaments, the second connector (6b) including a through-hole (6b-1) configured for the first connector (6a) to pass through, wherein
• in the elongated configuration, the first connector is at a distal end of the functional element and the second connector is at a proximal end of the functional element, and
• in the deployed configuration, the functional element is configured to act as a filter penetrable to fluid, the filaments forming turn-around points forming a distal end of the filter, wherein the first connector is proximal to the turn-around points,
• the catheter further comprising an actuator configured to move the first connector proximally and to thereby facilitate transformation of the functional from the elongated configuration into the deployed configuration of the functional element,
• retracting the actuator and transforming the functional element from the elongated configuration to the deployed configuration, wherein the filter conforms to a substantially cylindrical vessel wall at the turnaround points, and
• capturing emboli from blood flow by way of the filter.

A method of retaining emboli, the method comprising:

• providing a catheter having a functional element having at least a deployed configuration and an elongated configuration, the functional element comprising filaments and first and second connectors, the first connector connected to a first end of the filaments, and the second connector connected to a second end of the filaments, the second connector (6b) including a through-hole (6b-1) configured for the first connector (6a) to pass through, wherein
• in the elongated configuration, the first connector is at a distal end of the functional element and the second connector is at a proximal end of the functional element, and
• in the deployed configuration, the functional element is configured to act as a filter penetrable to fluid, the filaments forming turn-around points forming a distal end of the filter, wherein the first connector is proximal to the turn-around points,
• the catheter further comprising an actuator configured to move the first connector proximally and to thereby facilitate transformation of the functional element from the elongated configuration into the deployed configuration of the functional element;
• retracting the actuator and transforming the functional element from the elongated configuration to the deployed configuration, wherein the filter conforms to a substantially cylindrical vessel wall at the turnaround points, and
• capturing emboli from blood flow by way of the filter.