A blood clot removal device for removing blood clots from the vascular system of a patient is implantable in the patient's body. The blood clot removal device comprises a blood flow passageway to be connected to the patient's vascular system to allow circulation of the patient's blood through the blood flow passageway, a filter provided in the blood flow passageway for collecting blood clots occurring in the blood flowing through the blood flow passageway, and a cleaning device for moving blood clots collected by the filter out of the blood flow passageway. By means of such blood clot removal device, the risk of blood clots reaching sensitive areas of the patient's body, such as the brain, is reduced.