Single operator intracranial medical device delivery systems and methods of use

A rapid exchange microcatheter system for accessing the intracranial neurovasculature, the microcatheter system comprising:

• (i) a catheter body having:
• (a) an outer diameter, an inner diameter, and a distal-most tip;
• (b) an internal lumen defined by the inner diameter, the catheter body adapted to carry a payload within the internal lumen and deliver the payload from the internal lumen to a target location in the intracranial neurovasculature, wherein (i) the inner diameter is sized to allow passage of a guidewire and (ii) the outer diameter body has a maximum size of less than 0.048 inch;
• (c) a guidewire side opening into the internal lumen, the guidewire side opening sized to allow passage of a guidewire, the guidewire side opening located a distance between 10-20 cm from the distal-most tip of the catheter body;
• (d) a proximal opening into the internal lumen, the proximal opening different and distinct from the guidewire side opening, the proximal opening located a distance greater than 20 cm from the distal-most tip;
• (e) a distal, reinforced catheter portion extending between a distal end region of the catheter body to a point near the guidewire side opening;
• and
• (f) a proximal, reinforced catheter portion extending a distance from a point near the guidewire side opening towards the proximal end of the catheter body;
• wherein the guidewire side opening is positioned within a gap between a proximal end of the distal reinforced catheter portion and a distal end of the proximal, reinforced catheter portion,
• wherein a sidewall of the catheter body comprises:
• a lubricious, tubular liner;
• a reinforcement layer positioned over the tubular liner that is more rigid than the tubular liner, the reinforcement layer comprising:
• a first reinforcement structure extending within the distal, reinforced catheter portion, the first reinforcement structure having a proximal end;
• and
• a second reinforcement structure extending within the proximal, reinforced catheter portion, the second reinforcement structure having a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the first reinforcement structure is separated from the distal end of the second reinforcement structure creating the gap;
• a short, tubular rigid coupler positioned over the proximal end of the first reinforcement structure and over the distal end of the second reinforcement structure, the coupler having an elongate window extending through a sidewall of the coupler;
• and
• an outer jacket positioned over the coupler and the reinforcement layer;
• and
• (ii) the payload loaded in the internal lumen at a location proximal to the guidewire side opening such that the payload can be carried within and delivered from the internal lumen to a target location in the intracranial neurovasculature.