Devices and methods for removal of acute blockages from blood vessels

A system for assisting in the retrieval of a clot from a vessel, the system comprising:

• an outer catheter;
• an inner catheter disposed in a lumen of the outer catheter, the inner catheter comprising:
• a distal end;
• a proximal end;
• a distal segment;
• a proximal segment;
• and
• a lumen extending proximal of the distal end and terminating at a transfer port at the proximal end of the distal segment;
• a seal located on the outer surface of the inner catheter distal of the transfer port, the seal capable of sealing against the lumen of the outer catheter so that aspiration applied through the outer catheter is configured to be transferred to the inner catheter;
• and
• a first rotating hemostasis valve (RHV) through which aspiration is applied, wherein the outer catheter and the inner catheter are each disposed inside the RHV;
• and
• wherein the first RHV is configured to seal around a proximal shaft of the inner catheter thereby preventing any fluid ingress or leakage during aspiration.