Vascular filter

Claim 1

A vascular filter, which can be placed inside a blood vessel and which comprises: in a radially compressed state, a tubular metal cylinder having a first and second integral cylindrical end collar at a proximal and distal end of the vascular filter; a plurality of ribs arranged in a preselected pattern and extending between the first and second end collar in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vascular filter; in radially expanded deployed state, the ribs tend to resiliently expand in radial directions, thereby causing the first and second end collars to move toward each other; each of the ribs tending to spread apart, such that the vascular filter defines a plurality of central parallel hexagon shapes arranged adjacently around a central circumference of the vascular filter, each of the ribs defining each hexagon shape extending in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vascular filter; the vascular filter further defining a first and second end filter portion connecting the central hexagons with the end collars, wherein the end filter portions each define a plurality of diamond shaped sections having four sides; each of the diamond shapes being formed by a first and second rib each forming a portion of a first and second of the central hexagon shapes, and by a first and second conical rib directly connecting an apex of the first and second of the central hexagon shapes with the end collars respectively; the conical ribs all extending along a first and second end cone; whereby the first and second filter sections enhance the effectiveness of the vascular filter.

Claim 6

A method for manufacturing a vascular filter comprising forming an cylindrical elongated body member out of one single element having a first and second unitary cylindrical end collar, and a plurality of structural ribs formed by a series of longitudinal cuts in the cylindrical body member with, in a position of use, a circumference corresponding to the internal diameter of the blood vessel and having a first and second conical end filter section for collecting and trapping thrombus.

Claim 7

A method for manufacturing a vascular filter comprising forming an cylindrical elongated body member out of one single element having a first and second unitary cylindrical end collar, and a plurality of structural ribs formed by a series of longitudinal cuts in the cylindrical body member with, in a position of use, a circumference corresponding to the internal diameter of the blood vessel and having a first and second conical end filter section for collecting and trapping thrombus.