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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001235802-10-000048.txt : 20100303
<SEC-HEADER>0001235802-10-000048.hdr.sgml : 20100303
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100303172535
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001235802-10-000048
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100302
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100303
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100303

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Girin Pascal E R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001329811

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-51348
		FILM NUMBER:		10654412

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O EV3 INC.
		STREET 2:		4600 NATHAN LANE NORTH
		CITY:			PLYMOUTH
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55442

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ev3 Inc.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001318310
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				320138874
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9600 54TH AVENUE NORTH
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			PLYMOUTH
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55442-2111
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(763) 398-7000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9600 54TH AVENUE NORTH
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			PLYMOUTH
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55442-2111
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-03-02</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001318310</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ev3 Inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>evvv</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001329811</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Girin Pascal E R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O EV3 INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3033 CAMPUS DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PLYMOUTH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55441</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Ex, VP and COO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-03-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7040</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>14.98</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>200853</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares were sold under a pre-arranged sales plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 to cover the estimated tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Consists of (i) an aggregate of 138,388 shares that will be issued over time upon vesting or earlier upon the achievement of certain milestones pursuant to restricted stock units granted under the ev3 Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, (ii) 25,941 shares issued pursuant to a restricted stock grant under the ev3 Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and still sujbect to forfeiture and (iii) 836 shares purchased under the ev3 Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kevin M. Klemz, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-03-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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