A flow diversion device for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms and other medical conditions is disclosed. The flow diversion device may include a generally tubular wire stent frame formed from a plurality of zig-zag shaped wire elements that are coupled together. The device further includes a base layer of graft material coupled to the wire stent frame and surrounding at least a portion thereof, the wire stent frame maintaining the base layer in an open condition. In some embodiments, the base layer may be formed of porous graft material having a plurality of slits formed in the longitudinal direction. The slits may have a different shape in a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. The slits provide a passageway for a small blood flow to maintain the long-term patency of important small side branches, while also reducing blood flow to the aneurysm to promote occlusion and avoid potential rupture.

Multi-filter endolumenal methods and systems for filtering fluids within the body. In some embodiments a multi-filter blood filtering system captures and removes particulates dislodge or generated during a surgical procedure and circulating in a patient's vasculature. In some embodiments a dual filter system protects the cerebral vasculature during a cardiac valve repair or replacement procedure.

A treatment system includes a dual lumen catheter system. The first lumen is open to systemic circulation. The second lumen is open to a target delivery location. In an embodiment, a pressure-control element is provided that includes an expanded configuration adapted to constrain delivery through the second lumen to the target delivery location. Methods for treating tissues and organs via vascular pathways are provided.

An implantable prosthetic valve has an in situ formable support structure. The valve comprises a prosthetic valve, having a base and at least one flow occluder. A first flexible component is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature. The first component extends proximally of the base of the valve. A second flexible component is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature. The second component extends distally of the base of the valve. At least one rigidity component combines with at least one of the first and second flexible components to impart sufficient rigidity to the first or second components to retain the valve at the site.

A method for implanting a replacement heart valve within a diseased valve includes accessing a patient's heart by piercing a myocardium, advancing a guidewire into the patient's heart, and installing an access device in a wall of the heart. The access device preferably has at least one valve mechanism. A valve delivery device is advanced over the guidewire and through the access device. The valve delivery device has a replacement heart valve disposed along a distal end portion thereof. The replacement heart valve preferably includes an outer support structure and a leaflet valve disposed within the outer support structure. The replacement heart valve is radially expanded within the diseased valve. During implantation, the outer support structure conforms to a diameter of the diseased valve and the leaflet valve expands to a fixed size having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the diseased valve.

Single filter and multi-filter endolumenal methods and systems for filtering fluids within the body. In some embodiments a blood filtering system captures and removes particulates dislodged or generated during a surgical procedure and circulating in a patient's vasculature. In some embodiments a filter system protects the cerebral vasculature during a cardiac valve repair or replacement procedure.

The present invention is directed to a medical system and its method of use for percutaneous carotid stenting. The method utilizes flow reversal of the carotid artery and achieves it via a new and improved system that requires a non-invasive procedure. The medical system invention obviates the need for a surgical incision in the neck of a patient when performing conventional carotid surgery. Moreover, the procedure requires no manipulation of the carotid lesion or artery prior to establishing retrograde blood flow. The system presented in this invention improves upon standard carotid artery stenting, which has been plagued by a higher incidence of stroke due to the distal plaque embolization. The carotid stenting system may include at least one catheter at least one wire, a self-expanding stent, at least one arterial sheath, a one venous sheath, at least one control valve, and at least one filtering apparatus.

An embolic protection device comprises a tubular filter body attached to a sheath. The tubular filter body has an open upstream end and a generally closed downstream end for capturing emboli. A self-opening passage through the emboli capture end of the tubular filter body allows multiple catheters to be advanced from the sheath or otherwise into the filter body simultaneously or sequentially. The sheath is attached to a peripheral support structure near the emboli capture end of the filter body to facilitate deployment and retrieval of the filter body through a restraining delivery catheter.

An embolic protection device includes an expandable mesh net coupled to a catheter assembly used in an interventional procedure. The catheter assembly includes an outer catheter, an inner catheter, a compliant balloon, and the mesh net. The catheter assembly can be deployed in a lumen, such as an outflow graft of a left ventricular assist device, a blood vessel, or other bodily lumen. The mesh net is coupled to the inner catheter and is expanded by retracting the outer catheter when positioned in the lumen. The mesh net captures embolic debris before it is able to enter into the patient's blood stream.

A method for deploying a medical device such as a heart valve to a desired location in a blood vessel comprising first deploying a tubular filter adjacent to at least one tributary vessel location with a filter deployment member, disengaging said deployment member and removing it, inserting an expandable sheath into the blood vessel, passing a medical device through said sheath to deploy its removing said sheath and removing said filter.