Abstract: A method of performing a neurovascular procedure includes the steps of providing an access catheter having an access catheter hub; coupling the access catheter hub to a hub adapter, movably carried by a support table; driving the access catheter in response to movement of the hub adapter along the table until the access catheter is positioned to achieve supra-aortic vessel access; removing the access catheter and access catheter hub from the hub adapter; and coupling a procedure catheter hub having a procedure catheter to the hub adapter.

Abstract: A thrombus engagement tool having a flexible shaft, a clot engagement tip, and a handle. The engagement tip may include one or more radially outwardly extending structures such as a helical thread. The helical thread can be advanced through a catheter to engage a clot. The handle may be configured to be rotated by hand. When the handle is rotated, the helical thread of the engagement tip can rotate in the same direction thereby allowing the helical threat to engage the clot. The helical thread can wrap around the flexible shaft at least about one, two, or four or more full revolutions, but in some cases no more than about ten or no more than about six revolutions.

Abstract: A blood reintroduction system may include a canister configured to collect blood. The system may include an inlet configured to be fluidly connected to a first tubing in fluid communication with an aspiration system configured to apply aspiration to a vasculature of a patient. The system may include a first outlet configured to be fluidly connected to a second tubing in fluid communication with an aspiration pump. The system may include a second outlet configured to interact with a blood reintroduction device, wherein the blood reintroduction device is configured to withdraw the blood collected inside the canister. The system may include a filter positioned inside a flow path leading to the second outlet.

Abstract: A large bore catheter has a guiding rail extending therethrough and an advance segment of the rail extends at least about 10 cm beyond the distal end of the catheter. The advance segment is advanced from the vena cava through the tricuspid and pulmonary valves of the heart into the central pulmonary artery while the distal end of the large bore catheter remains in the vena cava. The large bore catheter is thereafter distally advanced over the rail until the large bore catheter distal end is at least as far as the central pulmonary artery. The rail is thereafter proximally removed from the large bore catheter, and at least a portion of a clot is drawn from a pulmonary artery into the large bore catheter.

Abstract: A method of removing embolic material from a vessel with mechanical and aspiration assistance. The method comprises the steps of providing an aspiration catheter having a central lumen and a distal end, advancing the distal end of the aspiration catheter to obstructive material in a vessel, applying vacuum to the central lumen to draw clot into the central lumen, introducing a thrombus engagement tool into the central lumen, and manually manipulating the tip to engage clot between the tip and an inside wall of the central lumen.

Abstract: A thrombus engagement tool having a flexible shaft, a clot engagement tip, and a handle. The engagement tip may include one or more radially outwardly extending structures such as a helical thread. The helical thread can be advanced through a catheter to engage a clot. The handle may be configured to be rotated by hand. When the handle is rotated, the helical thread of the engagement tip can rotate in the same direction thereby allowing the helical threat to engage the clot. The helical thread can wrap around the flexible shaft at least about one, two, or four or more full revolutions, but in some cases no more than about ten or no more than about six revolutions.

Abstract: An enhanced flexibility catheter is provided, such as for distal neurovascular access or aspiration. The catheter includes an elongate flexible body, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a side wall defining a central lumen. The side wall is formed from a plurality of adjacent tubular segments. At least one segment has a first end face inclined at a non normal angle to a longitudinal axis of the catheter. An adjacent segment has a second end face inclined at a complementary angle to form an inclined junction at the transition between the two segments. The transition serves to provide superior bending characteristics along the length of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A clot capture module can include a housing, a chamber inside the housing, a window, and a filter. The window permits visual inspection of a clot inside the chamber. The clot can access the chamber via an incoming flow path configured to direct blood from an aspiration catheter to an upstream surface of the filter. An aspiration control valve can block the flow of incoming aspirated blood until actuated to permit inflow of aspirated blood. An outgoing flow path can direct blood from a downstream surface of the filter to a remote vacuum canister.

Abstract: A system for detecting an anomalous event in a person includes a body in contact with a skin surface of a person; a heat source for heating the skin surface to a target temperature; a skin temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the skin surface in contact with the heat source; a blood volume sensor for measuring a blood volume of the skin surface; and a hardware processor communicatively coupled to the heat source, the blood volume sensor, the skin temperature sensor, and an environmental temperature sensor. The hardware processor is configured to receive a baseline blood volume signal, output a heating signal to the heat source to initiate a heating cycle, receive a second blood volume signal from the blood volume sensor, compare the second blood volume signal to the baseline blood volume signal, and determine whether an anomalous biologic event has occurred.

Abstract: A vacuum aspiration system may be used to treat thromboembolic disease, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. The system includes a housing, and a fluid flow path extending through the housing. A first catheter is in fluid communication with the flow path, and a connector is configured to place a source of aspiration in communication with the flow path. A clot container is carried by the housing. A hemostasis valve is provided in the housing, and configured to receive a second catheter and direct the second catheter through the first catheter.

Abstract: A split dilator aspiration system is disclosed. The system includes a catheter, having an elongate, flexible tubular body with a proximal end, a distal end, a side wall defining a central lumen, and a handle on the proximal end. A dilator is advanceable through the central lumen, the dilator having an elongate body, cannulated to receive a guidewire, and an axially extending split along at least a portion of the elongate body, configured to allow removal of a portion of the dilator laterally from the guidewire.

Abstract: An aspiration system exhibits an accelerated drop in negative pressure at the distal end of an aspiration catheter from the time of opening a valve. The system includes an aspiration pump in communication with a first chamber, and an aspiration catheter configured for placement into fluid communication with the first chamber by way of an elongate aspiration tube. A second chamber is provided between the aspiration tube and the catheter, and a valve is provided between the second chamber and the aspiration catheter. Upon opening of the valve with negative pressure at equilibrium in the first and second chambers, resistance to fluid flow between the second chamber and the distal end of the catheter is less than the resistance to fluid flow between the second chamber and the first chamber, causing a rapid aspiration into the second chamber.

Abstract: A system for accessing a central pulmonary artery includes an elongate, flexible tubular catheter, having a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter hub on the proximal end. An elongate, flexible rail has a proximal end, a distal end and a rail hub on the proximal end. The rail has a distal advance segment which extends at least about 10 cm beyond the distal end of the catheter when the catheter hub is adjacent the rail hub.

Abstract: A neurovascular catheter has enhanced tensile strength to resist distal tip detachment during proximal retraction past an obstruction. The catheter includes an elongated flexible tubular body, having a proximal end, a distal end and a side wall defining a central lumen. A radiopaque marker is provided adjacent to the distal end. The tensile support extends axially inside the side wall and is attached to the radiopaque marker, to tether the marker to the catheter body. In one implementation, the tensile support may at least partially wrap around the marker. The marker may have a tubular sidewall with a feature to increase compressibility, such as at least one compression gap in a proximal portion of the side wall.

Abstract: A system for detecting an anomalous event in a person includes a body in contact with a skin surface of a person; a heat source for heating the skin surface to a target temperature; a skin temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the skin surface in contact with the heat source; a blood volume sensor for measuring a blood volume of the skin surface; and a hardware processor communicatively coupled to the heat source, the blood volume sensor, the skin temperature sensor, and an environmental temperature sensor. The hardware processor is configured to receive a baseline blood volume signal, output a heating signal to the heat source to initiate a heating cycle, receive a second blood volume signal from the blood volume sensor, compare the second blood volume signal to the baseline blood volume signal, and determine whether an anomalous biologic event has occurred.

Abstract: A catheter has a cannulated guiding rail extending therethrough, an advance segment of the rail extending at least about 10 cm beyond the distal end of the catheter. The catheter and rail are advanced over a guidewire until the distal end of the advance segment is at a target vascular site. The catheter is thereafter advanced along the rail to the target vascular site.

Abstract: A neurovascular aspiration catheter has an elliptical distal aspiration port. The catheter has an elongate flexible tubular body comprising a distal port and a side wall defining a central lumen in communication with the port. A tubular radiopaque marker is embedded in the side wall and has a proximal face and a distal face. The distal face of the radiopaque marker inclines at an angle within a range of from about 45 degrees to about 80 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the central lumen. The distal port comprises an elliptical opening with an area that is at least about 105% of a cross-sectional area of the central lumen.

Abstract: A system for removing embolic material from an intravascular site is disclosed. The system includes an elongate, flexible tubular body, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tubular side wall defining at least one lumen extending axially there through; an axial restraint carried by the side wall and exposed to the lumen; a rotatable core wire extendable through the lumen, the core wire having a distal end; a limit carried by the core wire, the limit having a bearing surface for rotatably engaging the restraint; and an agitator tip on the distal end of the core wire. The limit and the restraint are engageable to permit rotation of the core wire but limit distal advance of the tip relative to the tubular body.