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Abstract

A system used in a blood vessel when an interventional procedure is being performed in a stenosed or occluded region to capture any embolic material which may be created and released into the bloodstream during the procedure. The system includes an emboli-capturing catheter which is capable of occluding a blood vessel distal to or at an interventional procedure site, perfusing the blood to enable blood to flow past the occlusion, and filtering the blood to capture embolic material which may be released into the blood during a therapeutic interventional procedure. The emboli-capturing catheter includes an expandable member which is capable of being expanded distal to or at the area of treatment at the interventional procedure site for occluding the blood vessel. The catheter further includes a plurality of perfusion inlet openings for enabling blood and emboli to pass therethrough, and an outlet opening or openings which, in cooperation with the filter media, are adapted to enable blood to pass therethrough while preventing emboli from passing therethrough. The catheter also includes filter media located in the distal end of the catheter or capable of being deployed outside and distal of the catheter for filtering the blood to capture any released embolic material.

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