Temporary vascular filter

Apparatus for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a vessel, the apparatus comprising:

• a guide wire defining a uniform cross-sectional dimension transverse in relation to a longitudinal axis of the guide wire;
• a stop configured to receive the guide wire and fixed to the guidewire to define a proximal end region of the guide wire proximal of the stop and a distal end region of the guide wire distal of the stop;
• and
• a self-expanding filter element having distal and proximal ends, the proximal end being coupled to a capture ring disposed for translation on the guide wire, the capture ring having an aperture defining an inner transverse cross-sectional dimension smaller than an outer transverse cross-sectional dimension defined by the stop, the filter element being expandable from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration, the distal end of the filter element being located distal to the stop and mounted on the distal end region of the guide wire when the filter element is in the delivery configuration and when the filter element is in the deployed configuration, the stop being positioned between the proximal and distal ends of the filter element,
• wherein rotation or limited translation of the guide wire relative to the capture ring does not displace the filter element.

A method of filtering emboli from blood flowing through a vessel, the method comprising:

• positioning a filter about a guide wire defining a longitudinal axis, the guide wire having a stop defining a proximal region of the guide wire and a distal region of the guide wire, the stop being disposed within an interior of the filter between proximal and distal ends thereof;
• transluminally inserting the guide wire and the filter into a vessel;
• permitting longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal ends of the filter along the guide wire, the longitudinal movement being limited by operative engagement of the proximal and distal ends of the filter with the stop;
• and
• deploying the filter to engage a wall of the vessel whereby the filter filters emboli from blood flowing through the vessel.