Delivery and retrieval manifold for a distal protection filter

1. A distal protection assembly, comprising:

an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;

an inner shaft disposed within the lumen, the inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;

a distal protection device disposed at the distal end of the inner shaft;

a manifold coupled to the proximal end of the inner shaft, the manifold including an actuator assembly; and

the actuator assembly coupled to the proximal end of the outer sheath and capable of moving the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft, the actuator assembly includes a first button and a second button;

wherein the actuator assembly is configured such that pressing the first button moves the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft in a first direction and pressing the second button moves the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The distal protection assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a filter.

3. The distal protection assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a mesh.

4. The distal protection assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a strut.

5. The distal protection assembly in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the distal protection device comprises a rib.

6. The distal protection assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator retention cover.

7. The distal protection assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly includes a first gear that interacts with the first button and a second gear that interacts with the second button.

8. The distal protection assembly of claim 1 , wherein pressing the first button moves the outer sheath proximally relative to the inner shaft.

9. The distal protection assembly of claim 1 , wherein pressing the second button moves the outer sheath distally relative to the inner shaft.

10. A method of actuating a distal protection assembly, comprising the steps of:

providing a distal protection assembly including an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough; an inner shaft disposed within the lumen, the inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a distal protection device disposed at the distal end of the inner shaft; a manifold coupled to the proximal end of the inner shaft, a proximal tubular member including teeth, the proximal tubular member disposed within at least a portion of the manifold and coupled to the proximal end of the outer sheath; the manifold including an actuator assembly; and the actuator assembly coupled to the proximal tubular member and capable of moving the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft, the actuator assembly including includes a first button and a second button;

wherein the actuator assembly is configured such that pressing the first button moves the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft in a first direction and pressing the second button moves the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

actuating the actuator assembly by pressing one of the first button and the second button; and

wherein actuating the actuator assembly shifts the distal protection device between a delivery position and a retrieval position.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of actuating the actuator assembly further comprises collapsing the distal protection device.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of actuating the actuator assembly further comprises expanding the distal protection device.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein pressing the first button results in the outer sheath moving proximally relative to the inner shaft.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein pressing the second button results in the outer sheath moving distally relative to the inner shaft.