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.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of valve systems that comprise a compressible region that is configured to reduce vacuum at a first port of the valve while substantially maintaining vacuum at a second port of the valve. Further described herein is an improved aspiration canister configured to maintain vacuum at a second vacuum line while a first vacuum line is disconnected from the canister.

Abstract: A neurovascular catheter is disclosed for insertion into an internal carotid artery of a patient. The neurovascular catheter includes a flexible distal segment for insertion into an internal carotid artery of a patient. The flexible distal segment can include a distal portion, a transitional portion, and a support portion. The distal portion includes a tracking tip configured to be positioned within a cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery, and an increasing stiffness portion. The transitional portion can be positioned within a petrous segment of the internal carotid artery. The support portion can extend proximally to a base of a patient's skull.

Abstract: A clot filtering device comprising a body. The body can include a first body portion and a second body portion being configured to form an internal cavity with the first body portion. The body can include a first port being located on a first side of the body and a second port being located on a second side of the body. The second port can be in fluid communication with the first port through internal cavity. The second port can be configured to be placed in fluid communication with a first vacuum source. The clot filtering device can comprise a filter located within the internal cavity of the body in between the first port and the second port.

Abstract: An aspiration system may include an aspiration pump configured for location outside of a sterile field. The aspiration system may include a chamber configured for location within the sterile field. The aspiration system may include a first tube having a first inner diameter, the first tube configured to place the chamber in communication with an aspiration catheter. The aspiration system may include a second tube having a second inner diameter, the second tube extending between the chamber and the aspiration pump and configured to place the chamber and the aspiration pump in communication with each other, wherein the first inner diameter is larger than the second inner diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.

Abstract: A neurovascular catheter can have an elongate flexible tubular body. The tubular body can have a proximal end, an inclined distal end, and a side wall that defines a central lumen. The neurovascular catheter can further have a distal leading tip on a first side of the inclined distal end. The neurovascular catheter can further have a preset curve in a distal zone of the tubular body such that wherein the distal leading tip lies on a concave side of the curve.

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: An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing an implant into a hollow anatomical structure. The apparatus comprises a storage unit having an exit opening and defining a chamber in communication with the exit opening; an elongate, self-expanding vascular implant having an expanded condition and stored within the chamber in the expanded condition, proximal of the exit opening; and a pushrod having a distal end aligned with and proximal of the exit opening. The pushrod is pre-assembled to a distal end of the implant. Associated methods, and other apparatus and methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing an implant into a hollow anatomical structure. The apparatus comprises a storage unit; an elongate vascular implant stored inside the storage unit and having a distal end; and a pushrod at least partially stored inside the storage unit and having a distal end coupled to the distal end of the implant. The implant diverges from adjacency with the pushrod as the implant extends away from the distal end of the pushrod, such that the pushrod forms a force application region near the distal end of the pushrod. The force application region is accessible for force application but separated from the implant.

Abstract: One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a housing with a sheath portion projecting distally therefrom. The sheath portion has a sheath with a lumen, and a bearing surface in the sheath lumen or aligned with the sheath lumen, and located at or near a distal end of the sheath. The implant is at least partially positioned in the apparatus, and comprises an implant body and a tether connected to the implant body. The tether extends from the implant body distally within the sheath portion and around the bearing surface, where the tether changes direction, and extends back proximally from the bearing surface along and within the sheath portion. The apparatus is configured to move the first tether portion proximally and thereby draw the implant body distally along and within the sheath lumen.

Abstract: One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a housing with a sheath portion projecting distally therefrom. The sheath portion has a sheath with a lumen, and a bearing surface in the sheath lumen or aligned with the sheath lumen, and located at or near a distal end of the sheath. The implant is at least partially positioned in the apparatus, and comprises an implant body and a tether connected to the implant body. The tether extends from the implant body distally within the sheath portion and around the bearing surface, where the tether changes direction, and extends back proximally from the bearing surface along and within the sheath portion. The apparatus is configured to move the first tether portion proximally and thereby draw the implant body distally along and within the sheath lumen.

Abstract: One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a housing with a sheath portion projecting distally therefrom. The sheath portion has a sheath with a lumen, and a bearing surface in the sheath lumen or aligned with the sheath lumen, and located at or near a distal end of the sheath. The implant is at least partially positioned in the apparatus, and comprises an implant body and a tether connected to the implant body. The tether extends from the implant body distally within the sheath portion and around the bearing surface, where the tether changes direction, and extends back proximally from the bearing surface along and within the sheath portion. The apparatus is configured to move the first tether portion proximally and thereby draw the implant body distally along and within the sheath lumen.

Abstract: One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a housing with a sheath portion projecting distally therefrom. The sheath portion has a sheath with a lumen, and a bearing surface in the sheath lumen or aligned with the sheath lumen, and located at or near a distal end of the sheath. The implant is at least partially positioned in the apparatus, and comprises an implant body and a tether connected to the implant body. The tether extends from the implant body distally within the sheath portion and around the bearing surface, where the tether changes direction, and extends back proximally from the bearing surface along and within the sheath portion. The apparatus is configured to move the first tether portion proximally and thereby draw the implant body distally along and within the sheath lumen.