| abstract |
Venous filters having at least two struts ( 110 ) each having a connected end and a non-connected end, wherein each of the struts includes a strut portion and an anchor portion ( 116 ), and wherein the strut portion and the anchor portion are attached via an electrolytically active thread ( 221, 222 ); and a head ( 118 ) that connects the connected ends of the struts, wherein the strut portion can be separated from the anchor portion at least in part by the application of an electrical current. The invention also includes a venous filter having at least two struts, wherein each of the struts includes a temperature sensitive portion and an anchor portion; wherein the anchor portion is separated from the temperature sensitive portion at least in part by changing the temperature around at least the temperature sensitive portion. Also included is a venous filter having a web ( 650 ) of dissolvable material; and at least two anchors ( 618 ), wherein the at least two anchors are configured to retain the web within a mammalian blood vessel. |