Abstract: An aspiration catheter may include a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. The distal end of the tubular body can be configured to provide aspiration in a first aspiration mode to apply a tension force to a clot positioned near the distal end along a longitudinal axis of the tubular body. The aspiration catheter can be configured to provide aspiration in a second aspiration mode at least when the clot is positioned within the distal end of the tubular body to apply a second force to the clot along a second axis different from the longitudinal axis. The catheter can include a stent-like backbone positioned along a sidewall of the catheter. The stent-like backbone can include a metallic support having a continuous gap extending longitudinally along a length of the backbone.