TODAY’S PATENT – EMBOLIC PROTECTION DEVICE

The said invention (US11071844B2) was invented by William M. Merhi, Andy Black, Mark Carlson, Josh GREENE, Kelly Jensen, Andy Leopold & Ben ROCKWELL. It was patented by USPTO on July 27^th, 2021. Currently, it stands assigned to Innovative Cardiovascular Solutions LLC.

This invention relates to embolic protection devices used in closed-heart surgical operations, including pigtail catheters. Although traditional pigtail catheters are effective for placement in blood vessels, they have the potential to dislodge emboli, which may result in problems, including strokes. Current technologies either redirect emboli away without trapping them or are specifically designed for use in open-heart surgeries.

The current innovation integrates a catheter with a deployable embolic filter, improving procedural efficiency and decreasing complications. The device incorporates a self-expanding filter controlled by a pull wire, guaranteeing precise placement and efficient collection of emboli. The catheter’s pigtail design and radiopaque markings facilitate accurate negotiating, while the filter’s retractable sheath allows for easy waste collection and recovery. The use of this comprehensive method greatly enhances the safeguarding against embolic events during cardiac surgeries.