Embolic protection device

1. A catheter for retrieval of an embolic protection device, comprising:

an inner shaft including a tubular member;

an outer sheath including a side opening, the outer sheath disposed over the inner shaft;

the tubular member including a proximal region, a port disposed near the side opening, a distal region, and a tip disposed at the distal region;

the tubular member is slidable within the outer sheath; and

wherein the inner shaft includes a plurality of openings disposed on the wall of the tubular member in addition to the port.

2. The catheter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the openings in the inner shaft are a plurality of flush holes.

3. The catheter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the tip is tapered.

4. The catheter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the length of the side opening is between about one to four inches in length.

5. The catheter in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a cover sheath disposed about the outer sheath.

6. The catheter in accordance with claim 5 , wherein the cover sheath substantially covers the side opening.

7. The catheter in accordance with claim 5 , wherein the cover sheath further comprises a slot.

8. The catheter in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the slot is substantially self-resealing.

9. The catheter in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the slot is adapted to allow passage of the guidewire therethrough.

10. A retrieval catheter and embolic protection device, comprising:

an inner shaft including a tubular member;

the tubular member including a proximal region, a port disposed near the proximal region, a distal region, and a tip disposed at the distal region;

an outer sheath including a side opening;

a cover sheath disposed over the outer sheath;

a guidewire having a distal end;

an embolic protection device disposed at the distal end of the guidewire;

the guidewire is adapted to be disposed within the lumen of the inner shaft and pass through the cover sheath; and

wherein the inner shaft defines a plurality of openings in addition to the port.

11. The catheter in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the openings in the inner shaft are a plurality of flush holes.

12. The catheter in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the tip is tapered.

13. The catheter in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the length of the side opening is about one to four inches.

14. The catheter in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the cover sheath substantially covers the side opening.

15. The catheter in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the cover sheath further comprises a slot.

16. The catheter in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the slot is substantially self-resealing.

17. A method for retrieving an embolic protection device, comprising the steps of:

providing a guidewire into a vascular region of a patient, the guidewire having a distal end and an embolic protection device disposed at the distal end;

providing a retrieving catheter comprising an inner shaft and an outer sheath, the outer sheath including a side opening; wherein the inner shaft includes a tubular member having a proximal region, a port disposed near the side opening in the outer sheath, a distal region, and a tip disposed at the distal region; and wherein the inner shaft further comprises a plurality of flush holes;

placing the inner shaft in a first position relative to the outer sheath;

advancing the catheter over the guidewire to a position near the embolic protection device;

locking the guidewire relative to the inner shaft;

shifting the inner shaft and the guidewire to a second position relative to the outer sheath, wherein shifting to the second position results in at least a portion of the embolic protection device being disposed within the outer sheath; and

removing the catheter and guidewire from the vascular region.

18. The method in accordance with claim 17 , further comprising the step of flushing fluid through the tubular member.

19. The method in accordance with claim 18 , wherein the fluid substantially eliminates air from vacant space within the catheter.

20. The method in accordance with claim 19 , wherein the fluid substantially eliminates air from distant vacant spaces within the catheter.

21. The method in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the tip is tapered.

22. The method in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the length of the side opening is between about one to four inches.

23. The method in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the cover sheath substantially covers the side opening.

24. The method in accordance with claim 23 , wherein the cover sheath further comprises a slot.

25. The method in accordance with claim 24 , wherein the slot is substantially self-resealing.

26. The method in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the embolic protection device includes a filter.

27. A method for delivering an embolic protection device, comprising the steps of:

providing a delivery catheter comprising an inner shaft and an outer sheath, the outer sheath including a side opening; wherein the inner shaft includes a tubular member having a proximal region, a port disposed near the side opening of the outer sheath, a distal region, and a tip disposed at and a plurality of openings beside the port,

configuring the inner shaft such that at least a portion of the tip extends distally out of a distal end of the outer sheath;

disposing a guidewire within a portion of the inner shaft, the guidewire including an embolic protection device coupled thereto, wherein at least a portion of the embolic protection device is collapsed within the outer sheath;

advancing the catheter through a vascular region of a patient to a desired location;

shifting the outer sheath proximally relative the inner shaft and the guidewire such that the embolic protection device emerges from the distal end of the outer sheath; and

removing the delivery catheter from the vascular region of the patient.