An embolic protection device configured for arrangement within a blood vessel, the EPD comprising: a filament configured to include: an un-deployed linear state including a portion configured to fit within a lumen of a needle or a tube; and a deployed state wherein the filament automatically forms a helix comprising a support portion and a filter portion, wherein: the support portion comprises a first portion of the helix which includes an axis, comprising an elongated coil having a pitch which exceeds a diameter thereof; and the filter portion includes a funnel configured to taper in a first direction, the funnel also including at least one reducing coil having a center which is off the axis, and wherein: the support portion is configured to at least one of orientate the filter portion within a blood vessel and secure the EPD relative to the blood vessel; at least a portion of the elongated coil is configured to resist axial compression of the support portion; the elongated coil being configured such that when the elongated coil is compressed, its diameter grows, and support from the vessel walls, which opposes further compression, is generated, and the reducing coil is configured to capture emboli greater than a predetermined size, wherein the EPD further comprises a pull wire configured to traverse a patient's skin and enable retraction of the device by pulling the device out of the vessel. a filament configured to include: an un-deployed linear state including a portion configured to fit within a lumen of a needle or a tube; and a deployed state wherein the filament automatically forms a helix comprising a support portion and a filter portion, an un-deployed linear state including a portion configured to fit within a lumen of a needle or a tube; and a deployed state wherein the filament automatically forms a helix comprising a support portion and a filter portion, wherein: the support portion comprises a first portion of the helix which includes an axis, comprising an elongated coil having a pitch which exceeds a diameter thereof; and the filter portion includes a funnel configured to taper in a first direction, the funnel also including at least one reducing coil having a center which is off the axis, the support portion comprises a first portion of the helix which includes an axis, comprising an elongated coil having a pitch which exceeds a diameter thereof; and the filter portion includes a funnel configured to taper in a first direction, the funnel also including at least one reducing coil having a center which is off the axis, and wherein: the support portion is configured to at least one of orientate the filter portion within a blood vessel and secure the EPD relative to the blood vessel; at least a portion of the elongated coil is configured to resist axial compression of the support portion; the elongated coil being configured such that when the elongated coil is compressed, its diameter grows, and support from the vessel walls, which opposes further compression, is generated, and the reducing coil is configured to capture emboli greater than a predetermined size, the support portion is configured to at least one of orientate the filter portion within a blood vessel and secure the EPD relative to the blood vessel; at least a portion of the elongated coil is configured to resist axial compression of the support portion; the elongated coil being configured such that when the elongated coil is compressed, its diameter grows, and support from the vessel walls, which opposes further compression, is generated, and the reducing coil is configured to capture emboli greater than a predetermined size, wherein the EPD further comprises a pull wire configured to traverse a patient's skin and enable retraction of the device by pulling the device out of the vessel.