US Patent 7534251 Retrievable IVC filter

Retrievable vena cava filters for filtering blood clots within a vessel are disclosed. A retrievable vena cava filter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of elongated filter legs each having a hook portion configured to engage the vessel wall, and an expandable member releasably connected to the filter. In certain embodiments, the expandable member may comprise a bendable member and several tubular members, or a coiled wire.