| abstract |
The present invention is directed to devices and methods for diverting emboli away from the carotid arteries in the aorta. The devices are aortic diverters that generally comprise a hollow tube with a substantially cylindrical or conical wall, which is impermeable to emboli and which has open ends that allow blood to enter one end, flow through the tube and exit the other end. Additionally, snowshoe aortic diverters, which are planar rather than cylindrical are also disclosed. The methods of the invention generally include the steps of providing an aortic diverter carried by an intravascular catheter, introducing the intravascular catheter into the vascular system, advancing the intravascular catheter into the aortic arch to the region of the carotid arteries, and deploying the aortic diverter. |