A method of aspirating a vascular occlusion from a remote site is provided. The method includes the steps of advancing a first elongate tubular body through a vascular access site and into a body vessel, advancing a second tubular body distally to extend beyond the first elongate tubular body to reach the remote site, and aspirating thrombus from the site into the lumen by applying pulsatile vacuum to the first elongate tubular body. The second tubular body has a lumen and a length that is shorter than the first elongate tubular body. The pulsatile application of vacuum may cause the distal tip of the second tubular body to open and close like a jaw, which facilitates reshaping the thrombus or biting or nibbling the thrombus material into strands or pieces to facilitate proximal withdrawal under negative pressure through the lumen of the second tubular body.

A neurovascular catheter is provided, such as for distal neurovascular access or aspiration. The catheter includes an elongate flexible tubular body, having a proximal end, a distal end and a side wall defining a central lumen. A distal zone of the tubular body includes a tubular inner liner, a tie layer separated from the lumen by the inner liner, a helical coil surrounding the tie layer, an outer jacket surrounding the helical coil, and an opening at the distal end. Adjacent windings of the helical coil are spaced progressively further apart in the distal direction. The opening at the distal end of the tubular body is enlargeable from a first inside diameter for transluminal navigation to a second, larger inside diameter to facilitate aspiration of thrombus into the lumen.

An enhanced flexibility neurovascular 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. A distal zone of the side wall includes an outer jacket surrounding a helical coil, and the outer jacket is formed from a plurality of tubular segments positioned coaxially about the coil. A proximal one of the tubular segments has a durometer of at least about 60D, and a distal one of the tubular segments has a durometer of no more than about 35D. An axially extending filament within the side wall extends at least about the most distal 10 cm of the length of the catheter. The axially extending filament serves as a tension support and resists elongation of the catheter wall under tension, such as when the catheter is being proximally retracted through tortuous vasculature.

A telescoping catheter is provided such as for distal neurovascular aspiration or access. The catheter includes an elongate, flexible tubular body, having a proximal section with at least one lumen and a distal section which is axially movably positioned within the lumen. A control is provided for advancing the distal section from a first, proximally retracted position within the proximal section to a second extended position, extending distally beyond the proximal section. The distal end of at least one of the proximal and distal sections may be provided with at least one active feature, such as at least one movable jaw or rotatable agitator, to assist in the capture of vascular obstruction. The jaw may be operable in response to application of pulsatile negative pressure through the catheter.

A method of making a high flexibility distal zone on a neurovascular catheter is provided. The method includes the steps of dip coating a removable mandrel to form a tubular inner layer on the mandrel, coating the tubular inner layer with a soft tie layer, applying a helical coil to the outside of the tie layer, positioning a plurality of tubular segments on the helical coil, heating the tubular segments to form the high flexibility distal zone on the neurovascular catheter; and removing the mandrel. The plurality of segments have durometers that decrease in a distal direction. The flexural load profile of the catheter as a function of catheter length is configured to provide enhanced distal flexibility while maintaining high backup support.

A catheter is provided with improved position and/or location sensing with the use of single axis sensors that are mounted directly along a length or portion of the catheter whose position/location is of interest. The magnetic based, single axis sensors are provided on a single axis sensor (SAS) assembly, which can be linear or nonlinear as needed. A catheter of the present invention thus includes a catheter body and a distal member of a particular 2D or 3D configuration that is provided by a support member on which at least one, if not at least three single axis sensors, are mounted serially along a length of the support member. In one embodiment, the magnetic-based sensor assembly including at least one coil member that is wrapped on the support member, wherein the coil member is connected via a joint region to a respective cable member adapted to transmit a signal providing location information from the coil member to a mapping and localization system. The joint region advantageously provides strain relief adaptations to the at least one coil member and the respective cable member from detaching.

A catheter is provided with improved position and/or location sensing with the use of single axis sensors that are mounted directly along a length or portion of the catheter whose position/location is of interest. The magnetic based, single axis sensors are provided on a single axis sensor (SAS) assembly, which can be linear or nonlinear as needed. A catheter of the present invention thus includes a catheter body and a distal member of a particular 2D or 3D configuration that is provided by a support member on which at least one, if not at least three single axis sensors, are mounted serially along a length of the support member. In one embodiment, the magnetic-based sensor assembly including at least one coil member that is wrapped on the support member, wherein the coil member is connected via a joint region to a respective cable member adapted to transmit a signal providing location information from the coil member to a mapping and localization system. The joint region advantageously provides strain relief adaptations to the at least one coil member and the respective cable member from detaching.

A steerable kink resistant access device is provided having an elongated body and a steerable portion; methods for manufacturing the kink resistant device are also provided. The access sheath has an outside diameter sufficiently small so that it may be inserted into a body cavity or conduit. The access sheath typically has two internal lumen, a first lumen sized and configured as an access to a surgical site and a second lumen sized and configured to contain a tensioning device that, when acted upon, will deflect the steerable portion. The tensioning device may be directly or remotely attached to an actuation device that operates to control the tensioning and loosening of the tensioning device.

A catheter that includes a balloon. The balloon has an elastic inner layer and an elastic outer layer. The inner layer and the outer layer are inflatable and deflatable in response to a change of internal pressure of the balloon. The catheter includes a tubular reinforcement member positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer of the balloon in the radial direction of the balloon. At least part of the reinforcement member is not directly fixed to the inner and outer layers. The reinforcement member includes a wire-shaped member. The first end portion and the second end portion of the reinforcement member include ring-shaped inflation restrictors fused to the wire-shaped member. The inflation restrictors restrict inflation of the first and second end portions of the reinforcement member in the radial direction when the inner and outer layers inflate.

A catheter that includes a balloon. The balloon has an elastic inner layer and an elastic outer layer. The inner layer and the outer layer are inflatable and deflatable in response to a change of internal pressure of the balloon. The catheter includes a tubular reinforcement member positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer of the balloon in the radial direction of the balloon. At least part of the reinforcement member is not directly fixed to the inner and outer layers. The reinforcement member includes a wire-shaped member. The first end portion and the second end portion of the reinforcement member include ring-shaped inflation restrictors fused to the wire-shaped member. The inflation restrictors restrict inflation of the first and second end portions of the reinforcement member in the radial direction when the inner and outer layers inflate.