The present invention is a temporary device for capturing and removing embolic material during interventional procedures, such as angioplasty or stent deployment. A self-closing, tubular capture element, which may be either a filter or an occluder, is mounted near the distal end of a guidewire. The guidewire is capable of guiding a therapeutic catheter. Relative displacement of the capture element ends causes transformation of the capture element between a closed configuration and a deployed configuration that spans the vessel to be treated. A latch fixed to the guidewire temporarily retains the capture element in the deployed configuration. A first hollow rod slides over the guidewire to deploy the capture element and engage the capture element proximal end with the latch. A second hollow rod slides over the guidewire to release the latch and close the capture element.