fix joined ends 34 44 of strands 32 42 without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention for example brazing welding mechanical fasteners and the use of adhesives may be suitable for some applications strands 32 radiate away from joined portion 50 of thrombus filter 20 so that first strand formation 30 is generally conical in shape likewise strands 42 radiate away from joined portion 50 of the thrombus filter 20 such that second strand formation 40 is generally conical in shape as shown in fig1 strands 32 of first strand formation 30 and strands 42 of second strand formation 40 radiate in generally opposing directions when thrombus filter 20 is disposed in a blood vessel at least one of the strand formations acts to trap or capture blood clots the generally conical shape the strand formation serves to urge captured blood clots toward the center of the blood flow the flow of blood around the captured blood clots allows the body 39 s natural lysing process to dissolve the clots strands 32 and 42 act as opposing wall contacting members and serve to position thrombus filter 20 in the center of lumen 22 of blood vessel 24 in a presently preferred embodiment strands 32 and 42.