Guidewire and collapsable filter system

1. A guidewire with a collapsible filter comprising:

a. the guidewire having a tubular distal portion, the tubular distal portion having a distal portion, a longitudinal slot in a wall of the tubular distal portion, the slot further containing a frangible material and an exit path at the distal portion;

b. the collapsible filter being made of a flexible fine mesh material secured over and about the tubular distal portion of the guidewire, the collapsible filter having a length from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the collapsible filter being attached to the tubular distal portion of the guidewire;

c. the collapsible filter exhibits shape memory, whereby such a shape is compressibly suitable for automatic expansion from within a delivery sheath;

d. a flexible cord passing through the slot and exiting at the exit path at the distal end of the filter and running along the length of the filter from the distal end to the proximal end and only attaching to the proximal end of the collapsible filter; and

e. the guidewire, the collapsible filter, and the flexible cord being configured so that tension applied to the flexible cord causes the collapsible filter to be drawn towards a collapsed configuration.

2. The guidewire with collapsible filter of claim 1 , further comprising a delivery sheath which restrains the collapsible filter in a collapsed configuration for introduction and advancement.

3. The guidewire with collapsible filter of claim 1 , wherein the memory shape is an expanded configuration so that when unrestrained the collapsible filter tends to expand and apply conforming and sealing forces on a vessel or passage wherein it is located.

4. The guidewire with collapsible filter of claim 3 , wherein the collapsible filter is configured to allow passage of blood and smaller particles while filtering and capturing larger particles.

5. The guidewire with collapsible filter of claim 1 , wherein the slot is elongated.

6. The guidewire with collapsible filter of claim 1 , further comprising a retrieval catheter into which the collapsible filter is drawn.

7. The guidewire with collapsible filter of claim 1 , further comprising a thrombectomy catheter for removal of filtered particles.

8. A thrombectomy catheter comprising:

a catheter body extending from a catheter distal portion toward a catheter proximal portion, the catheter body including a catheter lumen;

a high pressure tube extending through the catheter lumen from the catheter proximal portion toward the catheter distal portion, the high pressure tube in communication with a fluid source near the catheter proximal portion;

a fluid jet emanator in communication with the high pressure tube, the fluid jet emanator configured to produce a fluid jet within the catheter lumen;

a plurality of outflow and inflow orifices on the catheter body working in cooperation with the fluid jet to produce circulatory cross stream flows of fluid; and

a guidewire with a collapsible filter further comprising a tubular distal portion having a distal portion, a longitudinal slot in a wall of the tubular distal portion, the slot further containing a frangible material and an exit path at the distal portion; the collapsible filter being made of a flexible fine mesh material secured over and about the tubular distal portion of the guidewire, the collapsible filter having a length from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the collapsible filter being attached to the tubular distal portion of the guidewire; the collapsible filter exhibits shape memory, whereby such a shape is compressibly suitable for automatic expansion from within a delivery;

a flexible cord passing through the slot and exiting at the exit path at the distal end of the filter and running along the length of the filter from the distal end to the proximal end and only attaching to the proximal end of the collapsible filter; and the guidewire, the collapsible filter, and the flexible cord being configured so that tension applied to the flexible cord causes the collapsible filter to be drawn towards a collapsed configuration.

9. The thrombectomy catheter of claim 8 , further comprising a delivery sheath which restrains the collapsible filter in a collapsed configuration for introduction and advancement.

10. The thrombectomy catheter of claim 8 , wherein the memory shape is an expanded configuration so that when unrestrained the collapsible filter tends to expand and apply conforming and sealing forces on a vessel or passage wherein it is located.

11. The thrombectomy catheter of claim 8 , further comprising a retrieval catheter into which the collapsible filter is drawn.