Patent ID: 8021351

Claim:
An aspiration catheter comprising: a suction device, a proximal portion, and a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the shaft is operably connected at its proximal end to the proximal portion to form a suction lumen, wherein the suction device is attached or attachable to the proximal portion to operably connect the suction device to the suction lumen, wherein the distal end of the shaft comprises a tip portion having an aspiration opening at the distal end of the tip that is in fluid communication with the suction device through the suction lumen, wherein the tip portion has greater flexibility relative to the rest of shaft and has a natural curve that is curved from about 10 degrees to less than 90 degrees relative to a straight orientation of the shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a single lumen rapid exchange segment near the distal end of the shaft and a guide port adjacent the rapid exchange segment, the guide port having a suitable size for the passage of a guide structure with a configuration for the guide structure to extend through the guide port and through the aspiration opening, and wherein a longitudinal cross sectional view of the curved tip portion is characterized by a top curve and a lower curve that bend in the same direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the catheter.