RAPID ASPIRATION THROMBECTOMY SYSTEM AND METHOD
An intravascular access system for facilitation of intraluminal medical procedures within the neurovasculature through an access sheath. The system includes an aspiration or support catheter having a flexible, distal luminal portion having an inner diameter defining a lumen extending between a proximal opening at a proximal end of the luminal portion and a distal opening at a distal end of the luminal portion. The catheter has a rigid spine coupled to at least the proximal end of the luminal portion and extending proximally therefrom. The system includes a dilator having a flexible, distal dilator portion sized to be received within the lumen of the luminal portion. Associated systems, devices, and methods of use are also described.
1 . An intravascular access catheter for advancing a medical device for intraluminal medical procedures within the neurovasculature, comprising:
a flexible elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein the flexible elongate body comprises a plurality of regions, wherein one of the plurality of regions is a tapered region;
a first marker disposed at a distal end of the tapered region;
a second marker disposed at a proximal end of the tapered region, wherein the tapered region comprises an unreinforced polymer; and
a proximal extension extending proximally from the proximal end of the flexible elongate body, the proximal extension having a lumen communicating with the lumen of the flexible elongate body.
2 . The access catheter of claim 1 , wherein the proximal extension is formed of two or more different materials.
3 . The access catheter of claim 2 , wherein one of the two or more different materials of the proximal extension is metal.
4 . The access catheter of claim 3 , wherein a second material of the two or more different materials of the proximal extension is polymer.
5 . The access catheter of claim 2 , wherein the two or more materials are arranged coaxially.
6 . The access catheter of claim 5 , wherein one material of the two or more different materials is a metal and a second material of the two or more different materials is a polymer.
7 . The access catheter of claim 1 , wherein at least one other region of the plurality of regions of the flexible elongate body comprises unreinforced polymer.
8 . The access catheter of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of regions of the flexible elongate body comprise unreinforced polymer.
9 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the tapered region tapers over a length between 1 cm and 3 cm.
10 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the tapered region has a durometer of no more than 35 D.
11 . The catheter of claim 1 , further including a hub at a proximal end of the proximal extension, the hub includes a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen of the proximal extension.
12 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the lumen is sized to receive a guidewire between 0.014″ and 0.018″ in diameter.
13 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the tapered region of the flexible elongate body is shapeable by a user.
14 . The catheter of claim 1 , further comprising a lubricious material incorporated into the unreinforced polymer.
15 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of regions of the flexible elongate body each have a different durometer.
16 . The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the lumen of the flexible elongate body and the proximal extension is a single lumen.