Embolic protection device having inflatable frame

1. An embolic protection device for capturing emboli during treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel, the device comprising:

an inflatable frame having a deployed state and an undeployed state, the inflatable frame including a proximal portion extending to a distal portion, the proximal portion defining a proximal opening in fluid communication with the distal portion for supplying fluid thereto, the distal portion having a predetermined shape and extending freely independent of any support member to a closed distal end when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state, the closed distal end being a free end independent of any support member connected thereto; and

a filter attached to the inflatable frame for capturing emboli, the filter having a lip attached to the inflatable frame, a body extending distally from the lip, and a closed tail;

wherein the distal portion of the inflatable frame extends toward the closed tail of the filter to the closed distal end.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the inflatable frame is inflated in the deployed state and deflated in the undeployed state.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the distal portion is made of shape memory material defining the predetermined shape when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the distal portion defines at least one helical portion when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state, the at least one helical portion having a helical configuration extending freely to the distal end.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the distal portion defines a plurality of helical portions when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state, each having a helical configuration.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the lip defines an open end of the filter when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state, the body is disposed about the inflatable frame, and the closed tail is positioned distally of the inflatable frame and configured to capture the emboli during treatment of the stenotic lesion.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a net material for capturing emboli from the stenotic lesion.

8. An embolic protection assembly for capturing emboli during treatment of a stenotic lesion in a body vessel, the assembly comprising:

a balloon catheter having a tubular body portion and an expandable balloon fluidly connected to the tubular body; and

an embolic protection device at least partially coaxially disposed within the balloon catheter during treatment of the stenotic lesion in the body vessel, the embolic protection device comprising:

an inflatable frame having a deployed state and an undeployed state, including a proximal portion extending to a distal portion, the proximal portion defining a proximal opening in fluid communication with the distal portion for supplying fluid thereto, the distal portion having a predetermined shape and extending freely independent of any support member to a closed distal end when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state, the closed distal end being a free end independent of any support member connected thereto; and

a filter including a lip attached to the inflatable frame to define an open end of the filter when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state, a body extending from the lip and disposed about the inflatable frame, and a closed tail configured to capture the emboli during treatment of the stenotic lesion;

wherein the distal portion of the inflatable frame extends toward the closed tail of the filter to the closed distal end.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the inflatable frame is inflated in the deployed state and deflated in the undeployed state.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the distal portion is made of shape memory material defining the predetermined shape when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the distal portion defines at least one helical portion when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state, the at least one helical portion having a helical configuration extending freely to the distal end.

12. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the distal portion defines a plurality of helical portions when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state, each having a helical configuration.

13. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the filter includes a lip attached to the inflatable frame to define an open end of the filter when the inflatable frame is in the deployed state, a body extending from the lip and disposed about the inflatable frame, and a closed tail positioned distally of the inflatable frame and configured to capture the emboli during treatment of the stenotic lesion.

14. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the filter comprises a net material for capturing emboli from the stenotic lesion.

15. The assembly of claim 8 further comprising:

an inner catheter having a distal end through which the balloon catheter is disposed for deployment in the body vessel;

a wire guide configured to be disposed through a lumen of the balloon catheter for percutaneous guidance through the body vessel; and

an introducer sheath through which the inner catheter is inserted for percutaneous insertion to the body vessel.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the inner catheter further includes a proximal end, the proximal end having a hub in fluid communication with the expandable balloon for inflation and deflation of the balloon.