Patent ID: 7976562

Claim:
A method of removing an implanted vessel filter by a femoral approach comprising the steps of: providing a catheter with a proximal portion, a distal portion, a longitudinal axis and a curved tip at a distalmost end of the catheter curving toward the proximal portion of the catheter, the curved tip terminating in an opening; inserting a straightening device into the catheter to move the catheter tip from a curved position to a more straightened position; advancing the catheter tip through the femoral vein and past a cranial end of the implanted filter; withdrawing the straightening device to enable the catheter tip to return to the curved position such that the opening faces the proximal portion of the catheter and faces the cranial end of the filter; and inserting through a proximal portion of the catheter a filter grasping device through the catheter and curved catheter tip to exit the opening of the curved tip of the distal portion of the catheter to grasp the filter.