Vascular filter device

A vascular filter device comprising a support frame defining an outer wall having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of filter elements each having a proximal end fixed to the support frame, the filter elements extending distally from the support frame and having distal filter element ends forming an apex at which they are interconnected, and wherein said apex is located at or near a central axis of the vascular filter device and spaced distally from the distal end of the support frame;

• wherein the filter elements are biased such that if unconnected the distal filter element ends are located radially between a line extending along and axially beyond the outer wall of the support frame and said central axis when the vascular filter device is unconstrained;
• wherein the filter elements are interconnected by interlocking features, such as slots and ridges or dovetail features.

A method of manufacturing a vascular filter device comprising a support frame defining an outer wall having a proximal end and a distal end, and filter elements, the filter elements extending distally from the support frame and having distal filter element ends forming an apex at which they are interconnected, wherein said apex is located at or near a central axis of the vascular filter device and spaced distally from the distal end of the support frame;

• wherein the filter elements are biased such that if unconnected the distal filter element ends are located radially between a line extending along and axially beyond the outer wall of the support frame and said central axis when the vascular filter device is unconstrained, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
• providing a tubing, cutting the tubing, and expanding the tubing.