ASPIRATION THROMBECTOMY SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR THROMBUS REMOVAL WITH ASPIRATION CATHETER
A clot removal system comprises a catheter, a vacuum source, and a controller. The catheter comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and controller operating parameters and defines a lumen configured to be filled with a liquid column having a proximal portion. The vacuum source is configured to supply vacuum. The controller is configured to carry out a control pattern of turning on and off the vacuum based upon the controller operating parameters and is configured to receive the controller operating parameters in an automatic response to the catheter being operatively connected to at least one of the vacuum source and the controller and, responsive to the connection, to carry out the control pattern to change a level of vacuum at the distal end of the catheter.
1 . A cassette configured for use with an aspiration thrombectomy system, the cassette comprising:
a housing;
a first tubing segment extending at least partially through the housing;
a vacuum valve area in the housing aligned with a portion of the first tubing segment, wherein the vacuum valve area is sized and shaped to receive a portion of a vacuum valve of the aspiration thrombectomy system;
a second tubing segment extending at least partially through the housing; and
a vent valve area in the housing aligned with a portion of the second tubing segment, wherein the vent valve area is sized and shaped to receive a portion of a vent valve of the aspiration thrombectomy system,
wherein the cassette is configured to be removably coupled to the aspiration thrombectomy system.
2 . The cassette of claim 1 wherein the vacuum valve area includes a first opening in the housing, and wherein the vent valve area includes a second opening in the housing.
3 . The cassette of claim 2 wherein the first opening is sized and shaped to receive a vacuum valve end effector of the vacuum valve, and wherein the second opening is sized and shaped to receive a vent valve end effector of the vent valve.
4 . The cassette of claim 1 , further comprising a connection mechanism configured to removably couple the cassette to a cassette connection assembly of the aspiration thrombectomy system such that the vacuum valve area aligns with the vacuum valve and the vent valve area aligns with the vent valve.
5 . The cassette of claim 4 wherein the connection mechanism includes a first mating element configured to releasably mate with a second mating element of the cassette connection assembly.
6 . The cassette of claim 5 wherein the first mating element includes an orifice extending through the housing, and wherein the second mating element includes a boss extending from the cassette connection assembly.
7 . The cassette of claim 5 wherein the first mating element is configured such that, when the cassette is coupled to the cassette connection assembly via the first mating element, the cassette has a predetermined fixed orientation relative to the cassette connection assembly.
8 . The cassette of claim 1 , further comprising one or more conductive connectors configured to be electrically connected to one or more corresponding conductive connectors of the aspiration thrombectomy system.
9 . The cassette of claim 8 wherein the one or more conductive connectors includes one or more electrical pads or one or more electrical pogo pins.
10 . The cassette of claim 1 wherein the cassette is a disposable cassette configured for one-time use.
11 . The cassette of claim 1 , further comprising:
a collection canister fluidly coupled to the first tubing segment; and
a vent fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the second tubing segment,
wherein the housing, the collection canister, and the vent fluid reservoir form a single disposable package.
12 . A cassette configured for use with an aspiration thrombectomy system, the cassette comprising:
a housing;
an orifice in the housing sized and shaped to receive a corresponding boss on a body of the aspiration thrombectomy system to removably couple the cassette to the body;
a first tubing segment extending at least partially through the housing, wherein the first tubing segment is configured to be fluidly coupled to a vacuum source of the aspiration thrombectomy system when the cassette is coupled to the body;
a first opening in the housing aligned with a portion of the first tubing segment, wherein the first opening is sized and shaped to receive a vacuum valve end effector of the aspiration thrombectomy system when the cassette is coupled to the body;
a second tubing segment extending at least partially through the housing, wherein the second tubing segment is configured to be fluidly coupled to a vent source of the aspiration thrombectomy system when the cassette is coupled to the body;
a second opening in the housing aligned with a portion of the second tubing segment, wherein the second opening is sized and shaped to receive a vent valve end effector of the aspiration thrombectomy system when the cassette is coupled to the body; and
one or more electrical connectors for forming an electrical connection with the body to confirm installment of the cassette on the body.
13 . The cassette of claim 12 wherein the orifice has a T-shape.
14 . The cassette of claim 12 wherein the cassette is a disposable cassette configured for one-time use.
15 . The cassette of claim 12 , further comprising:
a vent fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the first tubing segment and the second tubing segment,
wherein the vent fluid reservoir includes a vent fluid, and
wherein the first tubing segment and the second tubing segment are pre-filled with the vent fluid.
16 . An aspiration thrombectomy system, comprising:
a console, comprising
a body,
a cassette connection assembly positioned on and/or forming a portion of an external surface of the body,
a vacuum valve having a vacuum valve end effector extending through a first portion of the cassette connection assembly, and
a vent valve having a vent valve end effector extending through a second portion of the cassette connection assembly; and
a cassette configured to be removably coupled to the cassette connection assembly, the cassette comprising
a housing;
a first tubing segment extending at least partially through the housing;
a first opening in the housing aligned with a portion of the first tubing segment, wherein the first opening is sized and shaped to receive the vacuum valve end effector;
a second tubing segment extending at least partially through the housing; and
a second opening in the housing aligned with a portion of the second tubing segment, wherein the second opening is sized and shaped to receive the vent valve end effector.
17 . The aspiration thrombectomy system of claim 16 wherein:
the cassette connection assembly has a first mating feature, and
the cassette has a second mating feature configured to releasably engage the first mating feature to removably couple the cassette to the cassette connection assembly,
wherein the first mating feature and the second mating feature are complementary such that the cassette has a predetermined fixed orientation relative to the cassette connection assembly when the first mating feature and the second mating feature are releasably engaged.
18 . The aspiration thrombectomy system of claim 16 wherein:
the cassette connection assembly includes a first conductive element, and
the cassette includes a second conductive element,
wherein, when the cassette is removably coupled to the cassette connection assembly, the first conductive element is electrically coupled to the second conductive element to electrically confirm that the cassette is coupled to the cassette connection assembly.
19 . The aspiration thrombectomy system of claim 18 wherein the first conductive element is either a pin or a pad, and wherein the second conductive element is the other of the pin or the pad.
20 . The aspiration thrombectomy system of claim 16 wherein the console further includes a controller configured to (a) selectively move the vacuum valve end effector relative to the first tubing segment to selectively control fluid flow through the first tubing segment, and (b) selectively move the vent valve end effector relative to the second tubing segment to selectively control fluid flow through the second tubing segment.