| abstract |
An apparatus includes a jet housing including an inlet and an outlet, and a nozzle within the jet housing for injecting fluid towards the outlet. A filter element is disposed on the inlet, the filter element including openings for preventing particulate larger than a predetermined size from entering the inlet. The jet housing is positioned within a blood vessel, and fluid is injected from the nozzle towards the outlet to create a vacuum at the inlet, thereby causing fluid downstream of the outlet to flow retrograde through the vessel around the jet housing into the inlet. The filter element prevents particulate from entering the inlet, thereby effectively capturing the particulate, which may be aspirated. Alternatively, a filter element is used to filter particulate during a procedure. The filter element everts from a tubular to an everted configuration for capturing particulate. |