US Patent 9827085 Integrated embolic protection devices

Embolic Protection elements are integrated with a catheter or access sheath for any catheter. A catheter shaft has an embolic filter slidably mounted on a distal portion of a catheter shaft. A proximal stop for limits proximal movement of the embolic filter, and a distal stop for limits distal movement of the embolic filter. The filter has a porous mesh material defining a collection chamber for captured emboli and has a collapsed and a deployed configuration. The filter may be collapsed by an access sheath used with the catheter. An access sheath may have a tubular main body and an embolic filter mounted on the distal portion of the tubular main body. The embolic filter may evert into the central lumen of the sheath or may be constrained on the exterior of the sheath with a larger diameter outer tube.