Embolic protection system

An assembly for loading an embolic protection filter into a catheter, the assembly comprising:

• an embolic protection filter comprising a sleeve extending from a proximal end of the embolic protection filter to a distal end of the embolic protection filter, the sleeve having a lumen extending at least partially therethrough;
• a catheter defining a reception space for receiving the embolic protection filter;
• an urging device for delivering the embolic protection filter into the reception space;
• and
• a loading device to collapse the embolic protection filter, wherein
• the loading device comprises an inlet end and an outlet end, the outlet end being configured for co-operative alignment with the reception space,
• the urging device is removable from the embolic protection filter, while the embolic protection filter remains in the reception space, and
• the urging device comprises an engagement formation having a radial dimension that is greater than a radial dimension of the lumen of the sleeve and a stem for insertion through at least part of the lumen of the sleeve.