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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>0001235802-09-000146.txt : 20091117
<SEC-HEADER>0001235802-09-000146.hdr.sgml : 20091117
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091117170326
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001235802-09-000146
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091116
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091117
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091117

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Wall Brett A.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001473812

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-51348
		FILM NUMBER:		091191096

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9600 54TH AVENUE NORTH
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		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>2009-11-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001473812</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Wall Brett A.</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>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-11-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2699</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.16</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40093</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-11-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>77</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.29</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>40016</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 Exchange Act of 1934 to cover the estimated tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Consists of 33,536 shares issued pursuant to restricted stock grants under the ev3 Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and still subject to forfeiture and 2,090 shares purchased under the ev3 Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kevin M. Klemz, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-11-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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