Permanent blood clot filter with capability of being retrieved

A blood clot filter capable of being retrieved, comprising:

• a filter section including:
• a filter hub;
• a plurality of first filter legs having downstream ends connected to the filter hub and upstream ends, the first filter legs extending axially and radially outwardly from the filter hub;
• and
• an alignment section including:
• an alignment hub movable relative to the filter hub and spaced from the filter hub;
• a plurality of alignment ribs having downstream ends connected to the alignment hub and upstream ends connected to the first filter legs, the alignment ribs extending from the alignment hub radially outwardly and then further extending radially inwardly such that the most radially outward portion of the alignment ribs defines a wall contact region adapted to contact a vessel wall to align the blood clot filter;
• wherein each alignment rib includes first and second branches each having a downstream end and an upstream end;
• wherein the downstream ends of the first and second branches are connected to each other, the upstream end of the first branch is connected to one of the first filter legs and the upstream end of the second branch is connected to an adjacent one of the first filter legs.

A method of retrieving a blood clot filter having:

• a filter section including a filter hub, a plurality of first filter legs having downstream ends connected to the filter hub and upstream ends, and a plurality of second filter legs having downstream ends connected to the filter hub and being spaced from the first filter legs,
• an alignment section including an alignment hub and a plurality of alignment ribs having downstream ends connected to the alignment hub and upstream ends connected to the first filter legs, each alignment rib including first and second branches each having a downstream end and an upstream end, wherein the downstream ends of the first and second branches of the each alignment rib are connected to each other, the upstream end of the first branch is connected to one of the first filter legs and the upstream end of the second branch is connected to an adjacent one of the first filter legs, the method comprising:
• capturing the alignment hub;
• moving a sheath over the alignment ribs so as to cause the second filter legs to be pushed radially inwardly by the alignment ribs;
• and
• further moving the sheath over the first filter legs to cause the first filter legs to be pushed inwardly.