Variable expansion frame system for deploying medical devices and methods of use

Apparatus suitable for filtering emboli from a patient's blood vessel during an open surgical procedure, comprising:

• an elongated member having an axial lumen and a distal region having a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and an opening;
• a support hoop fixedly attached at a first circumferential point to the distal end of the elongated member;
• a suspension member extending through the axial lumen and the opening and fixedly attached to the support hoop at a second circumferential point thereof so as to couple the support hoop to the distal region so that the support hoop is disposed obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the second circumferential point is at least 30 degrees away from the first circumferential point and wherein the elongated member and suspension member extend, starting from the first and second circumferential points respectively, in a generally proximal direction;
• and
• a blood permeable sac affixed to the support hoop so that the support hoop forms a mouth of the blood permeable sac;
• whereby the elongated member is displaceable axially relative to the suspension member to rotate the support hoop as a whole about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• wherein the outer wire and inner wire are attached at their distal-most tips to the first and second circumferential points, respectively, and the inner wire has a stiffness sufficient to avoid buckling while rotating the frame.

A medical device comprising:

• a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen therebetween;
• an outer wire having a second lumen and dimensioned to pass through the first lumen;
• an inner wire having a longitudinal axis, said inner wire disposed axially through the second lumen, whereby the outer wire is displaceable axially relative to the inner wire;
• a frame fixedly attached at a first point on the frame to a distal end of the outer wire, and fixedly attached at a second point on the frame to a distal end of the inner wire, wherein the second point is positioned at least 30 degrees from the first point and wherein the outer wire and inner wire extend, starting from the first and second points respectively, in a generally proximal direction;
• wherein axial displacement of the outer wire relative to the inner wire causes rotation of the frame as a whole about a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• wherein the outer wire and inner wire are attached at their distal-most tips to the first and second circumferential points, respectively, and the inner wire has a stiffness sufficient to avoid buckling while rotating the frame.

A medical device comprising:

• a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen therebetween;
• an outer wire having a second lumen and dimensioned to pass through the first lumen;
• an inner wire having a longitudinal axis, said inner wire disposed axially through the second lumen, whereby the outer wire is displaceable axially relative to the inner wire;
• a frame fixedly attached at a first point on the frame to a distal end of the outer wire, and fixedly attached at a second point on the frame to a distal end of the inner wire, wherein the second point is positioned at least 30 degrees from the first point and wherein the outer wire and inner wire are attached at their distal-most tips to the first and second points, respectively, and the inner wire has a stiffness sufficient to avoid buckling while rotating the frame P1 wherein axial displacement of the outer wire relative to the inner wire causes rotation of the frame as a whole about a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.