Penumbra, Inc.

Steven Loisel

Stephen Joseph Pons

Ben Tompkins

Scott Teigen

Vinita Verma

Bo-Yu Su

A dynamic aspiration system includes a connecting tube, a vacuum source, a pressure source, an aspiration catheter, a first controllable valve to control a level of negative pressure provided by the vacuum source, a second controllable valve to control a level of positive pressure provided by the pressure source, pressure sensors, and a controller. The controller modulates the controllable valves to generate pressure pulses, determines, for each of the pressure pulses, a degree of success corresponding to a change in a flow in the aspiration catheter or the connecting tube responsive to the pressure pulse, identifies one or more first pressure pulses determined to have the highest degrees of success, and modulates the controllable valves to generate the first pressure pulses in one or more pressure pulse cycles.

Apparatus and methods for controlled clot aspiration

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.

A thrombectomy system includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a valve in fluid communication with the catheter, and a cutting instrument associated with the distal end of the catheter. The cutting instrument may be configured for axial and/or rotational motion. A controller of the system may be configured to detect operational parameters of the cutting instrument. The controller may determine whether the cutting instrument is engaging with occlusive material based on the detected operational parameters. The controller may operate the valve in one or more operating modes to alter a level of pressure in the catheter based on whether the cutting instrument is engaging with the occlusive material.

Thrombectomy systems and methods for controlled clot aspiration

A dynamic aspiration method including engaging a distal end of an aspiration catheter against an occlusion in a blood vessel, applying a vacuum through an aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter using a vacuum source coupled to a proximal end of the aspiration lumen by a connecting tube, whereby portions of the occlusion are drawn into the aspiration lumen, through the connecting tube and into a collection receptacle by the vacuum source, sensing flow through the connecting tube, and automatically generating pressure differentials when a clog or restricted flow is detected.

An aspiration catheter assembly including an outer catheter having an elongate tubular body and a distal valve at a distal end of the aspiration catheter assembly, and an inner catheter configured to communicate with a vacuum source, the inner catheter being within the outer catheter and including an aspiration lumen for receiving at least a portion of a clot. The distal valve is configured to be opened and closed at the distal end of the aspiration catheter assembly, and the distal end of the aspiration catheter assembly is configured as a separator such that the portion of the clot can be separated at the distal end and drawn into the aspiration catheter assembly.

An aspiration thrombectomy system including an aspiration catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the aspiration catheter having a lumen to accommodate fluid, a vacuum source including a controllable vacuum valve, a tubing connected to the aspiration catheter, and a controller configured to detect a change in a catheter diameter corresponding to a change in the connection between the aspiration catheter and the tubing. The controller is configured to change a pulsation protocol associated with the aspiration catheter responsive to the change in the catheter diameter, and 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.

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.

A system for intracranial access that includes a support assembly is described. The system includes a tubular probe shaft that may be advanced through a hole in the patient's skull. The tubular probe shaft houses a rotating element that cuts clot, and is connected to a vacuum source to aspirate clot fragments and blood from the site. The rotating element may have a bident shape.

Methods and apparatus for removal of intracranial hemorrhage

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.

Aspiration thrombectomy system and methods for thrombus removal with aspiration catheter

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.

A system for intracranial access that includes a support assembly is described. The support assembly has a hub and lobes surrounding a central aperture for introducing a sheathed core that can accommodate an endoscope and/or other devices. Some embodiments include a collar and a ring, each of which can be tightened to secure the sheathed core in place. An accessory device for use during intracranial aspiration procedures is described.

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Castro Valley, CA, United States of America

Steven Loisel