A clot removal device (10) includes a conical retrieval member (14) affixed to a wire (12) The conical retrieval member (14) has an apex (16) at its distal end, and a base that forms an opening (18) into a cavity The conical retrieval member (14) is formed from a thin sheet of Nitinol film, and expands into its conical configuration at body temperature The clot removal device (10) can be used physically to withdraw a blood clot (40) from a blood vessel (42) without requiring aspiration The member (14) can be pulled by a cord (90) to cause it to rewrap onto itself, in so doing to capture an obstruction such as a thrombus.