MARK H WHOLEY, M.D.
Radiology at Ave, Pittsburgh, PA

4723549, Feb 9, 1988

Sep 18, 1986

6/908988

Mark H. Wholey - Pittsburgh PA
Mark L. Nagurka - Pittsburgh PA
Robert S. Katz - Framingham MA

A61M 2500

128344

A catheter for dilating occluded or stenotic blood vessels includes a collapsible filter device disposed between a dilating balloon and the distal end of the catheter. The collapsible filter device comprises a plurality of resilient ribs secured to the catheter at or adjacent the distal end thereof and extending generally axially toward the dilating balloon. Inflation of a filter balloon extends the ribs outward against the vessel wall to stretch filter material secured to the ribs across the vessel to form a cup shaped trap for fragments of a stenosis loosened by the dilating balloon. Upon deflation of the filter balloon, the resilient ribs retract against the catheter to retain the trapped fragments during withdrawal of the catheter. In the preferred embodiment, the ends of the ribs projecting generally toward the dilating balloon are secured to a ring which slides along the catheter. In use, the filter is extended and then the dilating balloon is inflated.

2007017, Jul 26, 2007

Oct 30, 2006

11/554560

Mark Wholey - Pittsburgh PA, US
Farhad Khosravl - Los Altos Hills CA, US
James Dreher - Santa Monica CA, US
Jeffrey Krolik - Campbell CA, US

A61F 2/06

623001130, 623001150, 623001310

Apparatus and methods are provided for securing a stent-graft deployed within an aorta relative to a renal artery. A distal end of a delivery device may be introduced into the aorta, the distal end carrying a stent thereon. The distal end may be advanced through an opening in the stent-graft at least partially into the renal artery, and the stent may be expanded to anchor the stent-graft relative to the renal artery and/or secure the stent relative to the renal artery. An exemplary flaring stent is also disclosed.

2007013, Jun 14, 2007

Dec 4, 2006

11/566473

Michael Wholey - San Antonio TX, US
Mark Wholey - Pittsburgh PA, US

A61M 29/00

606200000

A vascular catheter and method of use of the catheter for aiding in balloon angioplasty and stent placement procedures are disclosed. The vascular catheter has a retrieval catheter with an expanded distal portion. The expanded distal portion has aspiration holes which allow aspiration of embolic debris during recovery of the embolic filter. A guide sheath may be used to guide the retrieval catheter past a stent and into position for aspiration and retrieval of the filter after stent placement.