Aortic occluder with associated filter and methods of use during cardiac surgery

A method for protecting a patient from embolization during an open surgical procedure, comprising the steps of:

• providing a cannula having an outer surface, a distal end adapted to enter an artery, a proximal end, a filter disposed about the distal end of the cannula which is expandable between a contracted condition and an enlarged condition, and an occluder which is expandable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition;
• making an incision in an aorta;
• introducing a distal end of the cannula into the aorta through the incision while the filter is in the contracted condition;
• expanding the filter until the filter achieves contact with the endoluminal surface of the aorta;
• expanding the occluder to occlude the aorta in a region upstream of the filter, and thereafter contracting the occluder, wherein embolic material dislodged from the aorta is captured in the filter of the cannula;
• contracting the filter;
• and
• removing the cannula and captured embolic material from the aorta.