The invention relates generally to methods and systems for irrigating or capturing particulates during heart pump implantation, and more specifically relates to irrigating, capturing, and removing particulates that may be released when coring a patient's heart tissue. In one aspect, a method for capturing particulates during heart pump implantation is provided that includes inserting a removable particulate capture device into a patient's heart prior to a coring procedure upon the patient's heart. The removable particulate capture device includes an expandable basket movable between collapsed and expanded configurations. The method further includes expanding the expandable basket to the expanded configuration from the collapsed configuration when the removable particulate capture device is positioned within the patient's heart to capture the particulates released during the coring procedure. The method includes removing the expandable basket with the captured particulates from the patient's heart through a cored opening.
