Apparatus and methods are provided for use in filtering emboli from a
vessel, wherein a vascular filter is disposed on a guide wire, the
vascular filter having a support hoop disposed from a suspension strut so
as to permit lateral eccentric displacement of the support hoop relative
to a longitudinal axis of the guide wire. A blood permeable sac is
affixed to the support hoop to form a mouth of the blood permeable sac.
The support hoop is disposed obliquely relative to the guide wire and is
capable of being properly used in a wide range of vessel diameters. The
support hoop collapses the mouth of the blood permeable sac during
removal of the vascular filter to prevent material from escaping from the
sac. A delivery sheath and introducer sheath for use with the vascular
filter of the present invention are also provided.