Patent ID: 7179275

Claim:
A vessel filter implantable in a vessel of a patient comprising a first region and a second region, the filter movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel, the filter remaining in the expanded position in the vessel after a delivery device for the filter is withdrawn from the vessel, the first region of the filter having a mounting portion for mounting the vessel filter within the vessel and a first filter portion converging to form a first converging region at a first end portion, the mounting portion having a first end spaced from the second region, the first converging region being positioned radially and axially inwardly of the first end of the mounting portion such that the first end of the mounting portion is at a terminal end of the filter and the first filter portion is positioned closer to a center point of the filter than the first end of the mounting portion, the second region having a transverse dimension decreasing toward a second end portion opposite the first end portion to form a second filter portion at the second end portion on the opposing side of the filter from the first filter portion, the filter including a plurality of vessel engaging members to engage the vessel wall to secure the filter within the vessel when released from the delivery device and left within the vessel after withdrawal of the delivery device from the vessel.