A filter basket device includes two shaft wires, a filter basket adapted to capture emboli and thrombi, and an actuation handle. The shaft wires are loosely twisted together so that they remain adjacent to each other, and yet are able to slide relative to each other with little friction and without plastic deformation. One shaft wire is connected to the distal end of the filter basket, and the other shaft wire is connected to the proximal end of the filter basket. The actuation handle moves the shaft wires relative to each other to control opening and closing of the basket. In one embodiment, a guidewire-accepting fitting is attached to a distal portion of the device and permits advancement of the device over a guidewire until a desired location along the guidewire is reached. In another embodiment, the basket is provided with a tip resembling a guidewire.