Abstract: A vacuum aspiration control system for use with a vacuum source and an aspiration catheter includes a connecting tube configured to connect the vacuum source with a lumen of an aspiration catheter. An on-off valve is operatively coupled to the connecting tube, and a sensing unit is configured to detect flow within the connecting tube and provide a signal representative of flow. A controller receives the signal to decide whether to open or close the valve. The controller may automatically close the valve to stop flow when flow through the connecting tube is unrestricted, or according to a predetermined timing sequence. The controller can further periodically open a closed valve to determine whether flow has entered an acceptable range. The controller can still further engage pulsed aspiration with a pressure manipulation assembly when flow is restricted or occluded.

Abstract: A vacuum aspiration control system for use with a vacuum source and an aspiration catheter includes a connection tubing configured to act as a fluid conduit between the vacuum source and the aspiration catheter. A controllable valve is configured to control a level of vacuum in the connection tubing provided by the vacuum source, and one or more pressure sensors are associated with the connection tubing. A controller is configured to periodically sample flow when the current flow state is unrestricted, utilize an artificial neural network to classify a flow state for the sampled flow, close the controllable valve if the flow state for the sampled flow is classified as unrestricted, and hold the controllable valve open if the flow state for the sampled flow is classified as restricted or obstructed.

Abstract: A vacuum aspiration control system for use with a vacuum source and an aspiration catheter includes a connecting tube configured to connect the vacuum source with a lumen of an aspiration catheter. An on-off valve is operatively coupled to the connecting tube, and a sensing unit is configured to detect flow within the connecting tube and provide a signal representative of flow. A controller receives the signal to decide whether to open or close the valve. The controller may automatically close the valve to stop flow when flow through the connecting tube is unrestricted, or according to a predetermined timing sequence. The controller can further periodically open a closed valve to determine whether flow has entered an acceptable range. The controller can still further engage pulsed aspiration with a pressure manipulation assembly when flow is restricted or occluded.

Abstract: An aspiration thrombectomy system including an aspiration catheter having a proximal portion, a distal end and a lumen extending through the catheter, a vacuum source fluidically coupled to the catheter, a vacuum valve connected between the vacuum source and the proximal portion of the catheter to control a vacuum flow in the catheter lumen, a vent valve fluidically coupled to the proximal portion of the catheter, the vent valve being configured to control a flow of a vent fluid in the catheter lumen, and a controller configured to open and close the vacuum valve and the vent valve in a predetermined cycle to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter and to control fluid flow in and out from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: Embolic coil implant systems and methods whereby coils are mechanically detachable are disclosed. The coils include a retention element that may be releasably retained within the distal end of an implant tool. The implant tool may include a fulcrum configured to engage a first filament and prevent the release of the coil when the first filament is engaged. Alternatively, an urging means and aperture may be disposed within the sidewall of the implant tool, and a first filament may, in conjunction with the aperture and sidewall, releasably retain the coil until the first filament is withdrawn. The implant tool may also include an alignment member for aligning the first filament.

Abstract: A blood clot removal system including an aspiration catheter, an external unit having a first pressure sensor, a base unit having a second pressure sensor, a vacuum source connected to the base unit, connection tubing connecting the external unit to the aspiration catheter and the base unit, controllable sensory indicators, and a controller to receive a first pressure from the first pressure sensor and a second pressure from the second pressure sensor, determine a pressure differential based on the first pressure and the second pressure, determine a current catheter state from a plurality of catheter states based on the pressure differential, and transmit, via the one or more sensory indicators, one or more sensory indications of the current catheter state.

Abstract: A system for connection to a catheter to aspirate clot from the vasculature of a patient includes a vacuum console and a canister assembly which can be removably mounted in a mounting region of the vacuum console. The canister assembly includes a clear canister with an interior and an open top. A lid is removably attachable over the open top of the clear canister, and the clear canister has a vacuum port and a pressure sensing port each formed in a wall of the canister. The vacuum port aligns with a vacuum connector on the enclosure and the pressure sensing port aligns with a pressure sensing connector on the enclosure when the canister assembly is mounted on the mounting region of the vacuum console. The clear canister has a filter plate configured to be suspended in the interior of the clear canister at a location mid-way between the open top and a bottom to separate clot from blood as they are aspirated from the catheter.

Abstract: An aspiration thrombectomy system, comprising an aspiration catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the aspiration catheter comprises a lumen configured to accommodate fluid, a vacuum source comprising a controllable vacuum valve, and a controller configured to detect a change in a connection between the aspiration catheter and the aspiration thrombectomy system, wherein the controller is further configured to change a pulsation protocol associated with the aspiration catheter responsive to the change in the connection between the aspiration catheter and the aspiration thrombectomy system, wherein the pulsation protocol specifies pressure variations and pressure patterns to modulate the vacuum valve to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the aspiration catheter.

Abstract: Soft embolic implants exhibiting secondary shapes are disclosed. Some of the embolic implants exhibit progressively increasing softness from the distal end to the proximal end of the coil. The embolic implants have a primary coil, an optional second coil, a shape wire, and a stretch resistant fiber disposed in the lumen of the primary coil. An optional distal support wire is also disclosed. The embolic implants include a proximal constraint assembly configured to be releaseably retained by a delivery device. Disposed near each end of some of the implants are elliptical hole washers through which the shape wire and the stretch resistant fiber are threaded. The embolic implants have a primary, linear configuration for delivery through an implant tool, and a secondary configuration after deployment from the implant tool. The secondary shape can be J-shaped, helical, spherical, complex, or a combination of shapes.

Abstract: Soft embolic implants exhibiting secondary shapes are disclosed. Some of the embolic implants exhibit progressively increasing softness from the distal end to the proximal end of the coil. The embolic implants have a primary coil, an optional second coil, a shape wire, and a stretch resistant fiber disposed in the lumen of the primary coil. An optional distal support wire is also disclosed. The embolic implants include a proximal constraint assembly configured to be releaseably retained by a delivery device. Disposed near each end of some of the implants are elliptical hole washers through which the shape wire and the stretch resistant fiber are threaded. The embolic implants have a primary, linear configuration for delivery through an implant tool, and a secondary configuration after deployment from the implant tool. The secondary shape can be J-shaped, helical, spherical, complex, or a combination of shapes.

Abstract: An aspiration thrombectomy system, comprising a vacuum source comprising a controllable vacuum valve, a pressure source comprising a controllable pressure valve, an aspiration catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the aspiration catheter comprises connection tubing having a lumen configured to accommodate fluid, and wherein the connection tubing acts as a common conduit for fluid communication between the aspiration catheter and the vacuum and pressure sources via the vacuum and pressure valves, respectively, and a controller configured to open and close the vacuum and vent valves in a predetermined cycle to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the aspiration catheter and control flow in and out from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An aspiration thrombectomy system, comprising a vacuum source comprising a controllable vacuum valve, a pressure source comprising a controllable pressure valve, an aspiration catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the aspiration catheter comprises connection tubing having a lumen configured to accommodate fluid, and wherein the connection tubing acts as a common conduit for fluid communication between the aspiration catheter and the vacuum and pressure sources via the vacuum and pressure valves, respectively, and a controller configured to open and close the vacuum and vent valves in a predetermined cycle to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the aspiration catheter and control flow in and out from the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An aspiration thrombectomy system, comprising an aspiration catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the aspiration catheter comprises a lumen configured to accommodate fluid, a vacuum source comprising a controllable vacuum valve, and a controller configured to detect a change in a connection between the aspiration catheter and the aspiration thrombectomy system, wherein the controller is further configured to change a pulsation protocol associated with the aspiration catheter responsive to the change in the connection between the aspiration catheter and the aspiration thrombectomy system, wherein the pulsation protocol specifies pressure variations and pressure patterns to modulate the vacuum valve to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the aspiration catheter.

Abstract: A vacuum aspiration control system for use with a vacuum source and an aspiration catheter includes a connecting tube configured to connect the vacuum source with a lumen of an aspiration catheter. An on-off valve is operatively coupled to the connecting tube, and a sensing unit is configured to detect flow within the connecting tube and provide a signal representative of flow. A controller receives the signal to decide whether to open or close the valve. The controller may automatically close the valve to stop flow when flow through the connecting tube is unrestricted, or according to a predetermined timing sequence. The controller can further periodically open a closed valve to determine whether flow has entered an acceptable range. The controller can still further engage pulsed aspiration with a pressure manipulation assembly when flow is restricted or occluded.

Abstract: A vacuum aspiration control system for use with a vacuum source and an aspiration catheter includes a connecting tube configured to connect the vacuum source with a lumen of an aspiration catheter. An on-off valve is operatively coupled to the connecting tube, and a sensing unit is configured to detect flow within the connecting tube and provide a signal representative of flow. A controller receives the signal to decide whether to open or close the valve. The controller may automatically close the valve to stop flow when flow through the connecting tube is unrestricted, or according to a predetermined timing sequence. The controller can further periodically open a closed valve to determine whether flow has entered an acceptable range. The controller can still further engage pulsed aspiration with a pressure manipulation assembly when flow is restricted or occluded.

Abstract: A vacuum aspiration control system for use with a vacuum source and an aspiration catheter includes a connecting tube configured to connect the vacuum source with a lumen of an aspiration catheter. An on-off valve is operatively coupled to the connecting tube, and a sensing unit is configured to detect flow within the connecting tube and provide a signal representative of flow. A controller receives the signal to decide whether to open or close the valve. The controller may automatically close the valve to stop flow when flow through the connecting tube is unrestricted, or according to a predetermined timing sequence. The controller can further periodically open a closed valve to determine whether flow has entered an acceptable range. The controller can still further engage pulsed aspiration with a pressure manipulation assembly when flow is restricted or occluded.

Abstract: A vacuum aspiration control system for use with a vacuum source and an aspiration catheter includes a connecting tube configured to connect the vacuum source with a lumen of an aspiration catheter. An on-off valve is operatively coupled to the connecting tube, and a sensing unit is configured to detect flow within the connecting tube and provide a signal representative of flow. A controller receives the signal to decide whether to open or close the valve. The controller may automatically close the valve to stop flow when flow through the connecting tube is unrestricted, or according to a predetermined timing sequence. The controller can further periodically open a closed valve to determine whether flow has entered an acceptable range. The controller can still further engage pulsed aspiration with a pressure manipulation assembly when flow is restricted or occluded.

Abstract: Embolic coil implant systems and methods whereby coils are mechanically detachable are disclosed. The coils include a retention element that may be releasably retained within the distal end of an implant tool. The implant tool may include a fulcrum configured to engage a first filament and prevent the release of the coil when the first filament is engaged. Alternatively, an urging means and aperture may be disposed within the sidewall of the implant tool, and a first filament may, in conjunction with the aperture and sidewall, releasably retain the coil until the first filament is withdrawn. The implant tool may also include an alignment member for aligning the first filament.

Abstract: Embolic coil implant systems and methods whereby coils are mechanically detachable are disclosed. The coils include a retention element that may be releasably retained within the distal end of an implant tool. The implant tool may include a fulcrum configured to engage a first filament and prevent the release of the coil when the first filament is engaged. Alternatively, an urging means and aperture may be disposed within the sidewall of the implant tool, and a first filament may, in conjunction with the aperture and sidewall, releasably retain the coil until the first filament is withdrawn. The implant tool may also include an alignment member for aligning the first filament.

Abstract: A system for mechanically deploying intraluminal implants is disclosed. The system is used with an implant that is delivered and/or deployed via a pull wire and includes a handle having a funnel and receiving channel for receiving the pull wire, a slider having a thumb grip and a wedge, and a shuttle having a grabber for grasping the pull wire. The thumb grip is pulled proximally to retract the wedge to cause the grabber to grasp the wire and retract the shuttle but not the wire. An extension spring linked between the slider and the shuttle abruptly pulls the shuttle to retract the pull wire after the slider is fully retracted.