| abstract |
Various methods and apparatus are provided for aspirating emboli and other particles from the vasculature of a patient, particularly within saphenous vein grafts, coronary arteries, carotid arteries and similar vessels. One embodiment of an aspiration catheter (200) is particularly well suited for delivery over a guidewire (14). Preferably, the guidewire is hollow and carries a distal occlusive device (12), and has a low profile to facilitate passage into small vessels. The aspiration catheter comprises an elongate body (206) having a guidewire lumen (246) positioned within an aspiration lumen (242), thereby providing a low profile catheter having a round cross-sectional shape. The aspiration lumen has an angled aspiration mouth (222) which improves evacuation efficiency, and facilitates aspiration of larger particles within vessels. The angle of the aspiration mouth prevents suction between the mouth and the occlusive device, thereby reducing forced movement of the occlusive device while it is deployed during aspiration procedures. |