In general, the invention features an intra-vascular device (100) for filtering or deflecting emboli other large objects from entering a protected secondary vessel or vessels. The device of the invention may include a filter (201) to prevent a particle in a blood vessel from passing through the filter, a lateral structure (200) to hold the filter, and two wires (202, 203) attached the lateral structure, one each at its distal and proximal ends (206a, 206b). These wires may be used to control the deflection or orientation of the filter upon its installation within a blood vessel. Further, in some embodiments, these wires may be capable of readily detaching from the device, thus making it possible to install a filter without any significant appendages in a blood vessel.
