The invention provides a self-expandable apparatus for removal of a thrombus in a blood vessel, comprising:a push or guide wire;a mesh structure of interconnected struts, the mesh structure comprising a first plurality of mesh cells, the mesh structure having a proximal end (3) and a distal end (2) wherein said distal end (2) of the mesh structure is configured to engage at least a portion of the thrombus to form a removable, integrated apparatus-thrombus mass;a tapering portion comprising a second plurality of mesh cells, the tapering portion disposed toward the proximal end (3) of the mesh structure; anda connection point (9), at which the tapering portion converges, located at a proximal end (3) of the tapering portion, the tapering portion permanently attached to the push or guide wire (7) at or adjacent to the connection point (9);wherein the apparatus is pre-formed to assume a volume-enlarged form and, in the volume-enlarged form, takes the form of a longitudinally open tube tapering toward the connection point (9).