Implantable stroke preventing device

An implantable device for implanting in the vicinity of the bifurcation of the common carotid artery of a subject into the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery, to reduce the danger of a stroke, characterized in that said implantable device is configured and dimensioned to define, when the implantable device is implanted in the common carotid artery, a deflector extending radially inwardly into the common carotid artery and effective to deflect embolic material in the blood flowing through the common carotid artery into the external carotid artery to a greater extent than into the internal carotid artery, wherein:

• the implantable device is comprised of a helical structure and is dimensioned to extend also into the external carotid artery and across the internal carotid artery opening;
• and wherein
• the implantable device includes an elongated frame of a ladder-type construction, including a pair of opposed, parallel long sides joined by a plurality of spaced struts spaced along the length of the long sides;
• said pair of long sides are twisted and connected one to another to form a curved end so as to anchor the implantable device in place within the common carotid artery and external carotid artery;
• said plurality of spaced struts defining a plurality of deflector elements effective to deflect embolic material in the blood flowing through the common carotid artery into the external carotid artery to a greater extent than into the internal carotid artery.