An inferior vena cava filter capable of bidirectional controlled placement is provided. The inferior vena cava filter includes a filter portion and a support portion. The filter portion is configured as a mesh-like structure of a plurality of struts cross-linked. The support portion includes a first support portion and a second support portion disposed on opposite sides of the filter portion, and the first support portion and the second support portion have openings extending in opposite directions. The first support portion extends outwardly radially with respect to a center point of the inferior vena cava filter in a positive direction and then curls inwardly radially in a reverse direction.

A method of preparing a filter for delivery into a body vessel. The filter includes a hub disposed along a longitudinal axis and a plurality of anchor members extending from the hub. Each anchor member includes either a cranial extension or a caudal extension at a distal end thereof. At least one anchor member distal end may be spaced from the hub at each of a first, second, and third distance along the longitudinal axis. The filter also includes a plurality of locator members extending from the hub, the locator members alternatingly interposed between the anchor members.

A filter, including a main body part. The main body part includes a heart-proximal end, a plurality of connecting segments, and a first filter mesh connecting between the heart-proximal end and the plurality of connecting segments. An end of the connecting segments that is connected to the first filter mesh is bent towards a central longitudinal axis of the filter to form a bending part. A vertical distance between a proximal end of the bending part and the central longitudinal axis of the filter is less than a vertical distance between a distal end of the bending part and the central longitudinal axis of the filter.

A removable blood clot filter includes a number of locator members and anchor members disposed radially and extending angularly downward from a hub. The locator members include a number of linear portions having distinct axes configured to place a tip portion approximately parallel to the walls of a blood vessel when implanted to apply sufficient force to the vessel walls to position the filter near the vessel centerline. The anchor members each include a hook configured to penetrate the vessel wall to prevent longitudinal movement due to blood flow. The hooks may have a cross section sized to allow for a larger radius of curvature under strain so that the filter can be removed without damaging the vessel wall.

A vascular filter system comprises a vascular filter (1), a clamp device (50), and a delivery catheter (51). The filter (1) comprises filter elements (6). When used without the clamp device (50), the filter elements (6) move from a closed state to an open state upon elapse of a predetermined period of time. In the closed state the filter elements (6) capture thrombus passing through the inferior vena cava (2). The delivery catheter (51) is employed to deliver the clamp device (50) to the filter (1) after the filter (1) has been deployed in the inferior vena cava (2). The clamp device (50) engages with the filter elements (6) of the filter (1) to clamp the filter (1) in the closed state beyond elapse of the predetermined period of time. Because of the presence of the clamp device (50), the filter elements (6) are no longer free to move from the closed state to the open state upon elapse of the predetermined period of time. In this manner the period of time in which the filter (1) captures thrombus is extended either temporarily or permanently.

A vascular filter system comprises a vascular filter (1), a clamp device (50), and a delivery catheter (51). The filter (1) comprises filter elements (6). When used without the clamp device (50), the filter elements (6) move from a closed state to an open state upon elapse of a predetermined period of time. In the closed state the filter elements (6) capture thrombus passing through the inferior vena cava (2). The delivery catheter (51) is employed to deliver the clamp device (50) to the filter (1) after the filter (1) has been deployed in the inferior vena cava (2). The clamp device (50) engages with the filter elements (6) of the filter (1) to clamp the filter (1) in the closed state beyond elapse of the predetermined period of time. Because of the presence of the clamp device (50), the filter elements (6) are no longer free to move from the closed state to the open state upon elapse of the predetermined period of time. In this manner the period of time in which the filter (1) captures thrombus is extended either temporarily or permanently.

An intravascular filter assembly has an expanded state for capturing thrombi in a patient's blood vessel, a first a collapsed state for removal from the patient's blood vessel in a first direction and a second collapsed state for removal from the patient's blood vessel in a second direction. A plurality of first struts extends from a first axial side of a fixed hub, and a plurality of second struts extends from the opposite axial side of the fixed hub. An axially movable hub has a first position radially surrounding the tubular body, a second position axially spaced apart from the fixed hub along the first struts, and a third position axially spaced apart from the fixed hub along the second struts. The first struts are collapsed when the movable hub is in the second position, and the second struts are collapsed when the movable hub is in the third position.

A blood filter delivery system for delivering a filter into a vein includes an introducer and a push rod with a spline member disposed along the push rod. The spline member has a main body, and first and second boss portions spaced apart along the longitudinal axis to provide a gap for retaining anchor member of the filter during delivery via the introducer.

An inferior vena cava filter (340) for use in the inferior vena cava (4) to capture thrombus (8) passing through the inferior vena cava (4) towards the heart and lungs to prevent pulmonary embolism comprises a proximal support hoop (302), a distal support hoop (312) and a plurality of support struts (303) extending between the proximal support hoop (302) and the distal support hoop (312). The filter (340) also comprises a plurality of capture arms (121) which are movable from a capturing configuration to an open configuration. The capture arms (121) are biased towards the open configuration. A biodegradable suture holds the capture arms (121) in the capturing configuration.

An embolic filter is disclosed and can include a head. A plurality of bent legs can extend from the head. Each bent leg can be configured to engage an inner wall of a vein and prevent the embolic filter from migrating in a cranial direction. A plurality of straight legs can also extend from the head. Each straight leg can be configured to prevent the embolic filter from migrating in a caudal direction.