The invention provides a thrombus retriever and associated methods for use. The thrombus retriever has a retriever body that is attached to a centrally-disposed deployment member capable of moving the retriever body in the proximal direction (towards the operator) in order to retrieve the target thrombus. The retriever body is attached to the deployment member at an attachment point distal to the most distal end of the retriever body. In use, pulling the deployment member in the proximal direction effectively "pushes" the retriever body from behind during thrombus collection. The thrombus retriever also may comprise a net at its distal end to collect the retrieved thrombus and prevent embolization.