RECOILABLE THROMBOSIS FILTERING DEVICE AND METHOD

摘要

A thrombosis filter which can be securely affixed at a selected location in the vascular system of a patient and removed when no longer required. A firs t embodiment of the thrombosis filter includes a plurality of struts having a first grouping and a second grouping. The first grouping of struts and the second grouping of struts radiate in opposite directions. The free ends of t he struts include anchoring elements which anchor into the walls of a blood vessel. At least one grouping of struts is comprised of a shape memory material. When these struts are at body temperature, their free ends engage the wall of the blood vessel. When the temperature of the shape memory alloy struts is selectively varied from body temperature, the struts retract into the body portion of the thrombosis filter.