Guidewire stop

1. An actuatable guidewire stop configured to limit movement of an intravascular device relative to a guidewire having a longitudinal direction, comprising:

the guidewire;

a locking tube disposed about the guidewire and having a locked configuration, wherein the locking tube is prevented from movement relative to the guidewire, and an unlocked configuration, wherein the locking tube is moveable relative to the guidewire;

a tapered locking element having a first end portion constructed as a tip facing the locking tube and a second end portion having a radial dimension sufficiently large to urge the guidewire against an interior wall of the locking tube in the locked configuration, said tapered locking element independently moveable relative to both the guidewire and the locking tube in the unlocked configuration; and

an actuator connected to the first end portion of the locking element, wherein upon actuation, the actuator moves the locking element in the longitudinal direction into a radial space between the locking tube and the guidewire and presses the guidewire against a portion of the interior wall of the locking tube that is not in contact with the tapered locking element, thereby placing the locking tube in the locked configuration.

2. The guidewire stop according to claim 1 , wherein the locking tube comprises a resilient material.

3. The guidewire stop according to claim 1 , wherein the locking tube has one of a grooved, spiral and multifilar structure.

4. The guidewire stop according to claim 1 , wherein the tapered locking element is wedge-shaped.

5. The guidewire stop according to claim 1 , wherein the tapered locking element comprises at least one friction-generating surface providing frictional engagement between the tapered locking element and at least one of the guidewire and the locking tube.

6. The guidewire stop according to claim 4 , wherein the tapered member comprises a helical spring.

7. The guidewire stop according to claim 4 , wherein the tapered member is configured as a wedge having a recess for receiving the guidewire.

8. The guidewire stop according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a pulling wire having a rated break point.

9. The guidewire stop according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator is operatively coupled to a tip portion of the tapered member by a separable screw connection.

10. The guidewire stop according to claim 1 , wherein the locking element is moved into frictional engagement with at least the guidewire by a rotary movement of the actuator.

11. The guidewire stop according to claim 1 , wherein the locking element and the actuator are formed as an integral unit.

12. The guidewire stop according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a pulling wire extending in the longitudinal direction.

13. The guidewire stop according to claim 12 , wherein the pulling wire has a rated break point.

14. The guidewire stop according to claim 12 , wherein the pulling wire separates from the locking element when a pulling force applied longitudinally in a proximal direction exceeds a predetermined value.

15. The guidewire stop according to claim 1 , wherein the tapered locking element and the actuator are formed as an integral unit.

16. An intravascular treatment device having a guidewire stop configured to limit movement of an intravascular device relative to a guidewire having a longitudinal direction, the guidewire stop comprising:

the guidewire;

a locking tube disposed about the guidewire and having a locked configuration, wherein the locking tube is prevented from movement relative to the guidewire, and an unlocked configuration, wherein the locking tube is moveable relative to the guidewire;

a tapered locking element having a first end portion constructed as a tip facing the locking tube and a second end portion having a radial dimension sufficiently large to urge the guidewire against an interior wall of the locking tube in the locked configuration, said tapered locking element independently moveable relative to both the guidewire and the locking tube in the unlocked configuration; and

an actuator connected to the first end portion of the locking element, wherein upon actuation, the actuator moves the locking element in the longitudinal direction into a radial space between the locking tube and the guidewire and presses the guidewire against a portion of the interior wall of the locking tube that is not in contact with the tapered locking element, thereby placing the locking tube in the locked configuration.

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the device is attached to the locking tube.

18. The device of claim 16 , wherein the locking element comprises a wedge-shaped member and the actuator comprises a pulling wire, wherein the pulling wire separates from the locking element when a pulling force applied longitudinally in a proximal direction exceeds a predetermined value.

19. The device of claim 18 , wherein the locking element and the pulling wire are formed as an integral unit.

20. The device of claim 16 , wherein the device comprises an embolic filter.

21. A method for securing a guidewire stop along a length of a guidewire having a substantially uniform diameter and defining a longitudinal direction, the guidewire stop comprising a locking tube disposed about the guidewire and having a locked configuration, wherein the locking tube is prevented from movement relative to the guidewire, and an unlocked configuration, wherein the locking tube is moveable relative to the guidewire, a tapered locking element having a first end portion constructed as a tip facing the locking tube and a second end portion having a radial dimension sufficiently large to urge the guidewire against an interior wall of the locking tube in the locked configuration, said tapered locking element independently moveable relative to both the guidewire and the locking tube in the unlocked configuration; and an actuator connected to the first end portion of the locking element, the method comprising the steps of:

with a catheter, advancing the guidewire stop along the guidewire to a desired location;

actuating the actuator in the longitudinal direction so as to draw the locking element into a radial space between the locking tube and the guidewire, thereby pressing the guidewire against a portion of the interior wall of the locking tube that is not in contact with the tapered locking element, and

placing the locking element in the locked configuration;

detaching the actuator from the locking element; and

withdrawing the actuator in a proximal direction of the guidewire.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the actuator comprises a pulling wire, and the step of detaching includes pulling the pulling wire in the proximal direction.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the actuator threadingly engages the locking element, and the step of detaching includes rotating the actuator relative to the locking element.