Stroke prevention devices, systems, and methods

1. A stroke prevention system, the stroke prevention system comprising:

a stroke prevention device comprising:

an extension portion having a first end and a second end, the extension portion sized and shaped to fit within an artery extending from an aortic arch;

an anchor portion comprising a plurality of wings coupled with the second end of the extension portion, the anchor portion sized and shaped to prevent the stroke prevention device from advancing into the artery extending from the aortic arch in which the first end of the extension portion may be positioned and each comprising a first attachment portion; and

two or more parallel convex struts positioned across an opening defined within the second end of the extension portion, the two or more parallel convex struts configured to divert an embolus from entering the artery when the first end of the extension portion is positioned within the artery;

a sleeve catheter configured for intravascular insertion and advancement, the sleeve catheter comprising a proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; and

a retrieval device slidably disposed within the lumen of the sleeve catheter, the retrieval device comprising a proximal end for manipulation by the user and a distal end comprising one or more attachment portions, each of which are configured to engage the anchor portion of the stroke prevention device; and

wherein the first attachment portion of the anchor portion of the stroke prevention device is configured to be engaged by the one or more attachment portions of the distal end of the retrieval device, wherein each of the one or more attachment portions of the retrieval device are configured to engage the first attachment portion of the anchor portion of the stroke prevention device to remove the stroke prevention device from the artery.

2. The stroke prevention system of claim 1 , wherein the two or more parallel convex struts comprises four or more parallel convex struts.

3. The stroke prevention system of claim 1 , wherein the two or more parallel convex struts are positioned between about 0.75 mm to about 1.0 mm, inclusive, from one another.

4. The stroke prevention system of claim 1 , wherein when the stroke prevention device is positioned within the artery extending from an aortic arch, the two or more parallel convex struts are positioned approximately perpendicular to, in a direction of (i.e. approximately parallel with), or in an oblique manner relative to, a direction of blood flow within the aortic arch.

5. The stroke prevention system of claim 1 , wherein when the stroke prevention device is positioned within the artery extending from an aortic arch, the two or more parallel convex struts are positioned approximately parallel with a direction of blood flow within the aortic arch.

6. The stroke prevention system of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of each of the two or more parallel convex struts is between about 0.25 mm to about 1.0 mm, inclusive.

7. The stroke prevention system of claim 1 , wherein the anchor portion is autoexpandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration.

8. The stroke prevention system of claim 1 , wherein the stroke prevention device further comprises one or more radiopaque markers positioned upon one or more of the plurality of wings.

9. The stroke prevention system of claim 1 , wherein each wing of the plurality of wings comprises a wire forming a loop relative to the second end of the extension portion.

10. The stroke prevention system of claim 1 , wherein the extension portion comprises a stent frame without an extension mesh coupled thereto or formed therein.

11. The stroke prevention system of claim 10 , wherein the stent frame comprises a plurality of extension struts connected to one another by way of one or more connection struts.

12. A stroke prevention system, the stroke prevention system comprising:

a stroke prevention device comprising:

an extension portion having a first end and a second end, the extension portion sized and shaped to fit within an artery extending from an aortic arch;

an anchor portion comprising a plurality of wings coupled with the second end of the extension portion, the anchor portion sized and shaped to prevent the stroke prevention device from advancing into the artery extending from the aortic arch in which the first end of the extension portion may be positioned and each comprising a first attachment portion; and

two or more parallel convex struts positioned across an opening defined within the second end of the extension portion, the two or more parallel convex struts configured to divert an embolus from entering the artery when the first end of the extension portion is positioned within the artery;

a sleeve catheter configured for intravascular insertion and advancement, the sleeve catheter comprising a proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; and

a retrieval device slidably disposed within the lumen of the sleeve catheter, the retrieval device comprising a proximal end for manipulation by the user and a distal end comprising one or more attachment portions, each of which are configured to engage the anchor portion of the stroke prevention device; and

wherein the first attachment portion of the anchor portion of the stroke prevention device is configured to be engaged by the one or more attachment portions of the distal end of the retrieval device, wherein each of the one or more attachment portions of the retrieval device are configured to engage the first attachment portion of the anchor portion of the stroke prevention device to remove the stroke prevention device from the artery;

wherein the anchor portion is autoexpandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration; and

wherein the stroke prevention device further comprises one or more radiopaque markers positioned upon one or more of the plurality of wings.

13. The stroke prevention system of claim 12 , wherein the two or more parallel convex struts comprises four or more parallel convex struts.

14. The stroke prevention device of system 12 , wherein the two or more parallel convex struts are positioned between about 0.75 mm to about 1.0 mm, inclusive, from one another.

15. The stroke prevention device of system 12 , wherein the extension portion comprises a stent frame without an extension mesh coupled thereto or formed therein.

16. A method for preventing stroke, the method comprising the steps of:

introducing a device for preventing stroke into a body, the device comprising:

an extension portion having a first end and a second end, the extension portion sized and shaped to fit within an artery extending from an aortic arch,

an anchor portion comprising a plurality of wings coupled with the second end of the extension portion, the anchor portion sized and shaped to prevent the device from advancing into the artery extending from the aortic arch in which the first end of the extension portion may be positioned, and

two or more convex struts positioned across an opening defined within the second end of the extension portion, the two or more convex struts configured to divert an embolus from entering the artery when the first end of the extension portion is positioned within the artery;

wherein a first attachment portion of the anchor portion of the device is configured to be engaged by one or more attachment portions of a distal end of a retrieval device, the retrieval device further comprising a proximal end for manipulation by a user, wherein each of the one or more attachment portions of the retrieval device are configured to engage the first attachment portion of the anchor portion of the device to remove the device from the artery;

navigating the device within the body until the device reaches an aortic arch; and

positioning the device within a vessel branching from the aortic arch so that the two or more convex struts are positioned approximately perpendicular to, in a direction of (i.e. approximately parallel with), or in an oblique manner relative to, a direction of blood flow within the aortic arch; and

introducing a retrieval system into the body, the system comprising:

a sleeve catheter configured for intravascular insertion and advancement, the sleeve catheter comprising a proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, and

the retrieval device slidably disposed within the lumen of the sleeve catheter, the retrieval device comprising the proximal end for manipulation by the user and the distal end comprising the one or more attachment portions, each of which are configured to engage the anchor portion of the device;

navigating the sleeve catheter within the body until the open distal end of the sleeve catheter reaches an aortic arch;

advancing the distal end of the retrieval device through the open distal end of the sleeve catheter so that the one or more attachment portions engage the anchor portion of the device;

disengaging the engaged device from the first vessel; and

withdrawing the engaged device and the retrieval system from the body.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of positioning the device is performed by aligning the device within the vessel by detecting one or more radiopaque markers positioned upon the device and placement of the device within the vessel does not significantly affect upstream blood flow patterns.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of:

anchoring the device within the vessel by deploying the extension portion and the anchor portion of the device.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the step of anchoring the device within the vessel further comprises moving the extension portion from a collapsed position to an expanded position and moving the anchor portion from a collapsed position to an expanded position.