Aspiration catheter system

A method, comprising:

• introducing at least a portion of an outer catheter and an inner catheter of an aspiration catheter system into vasculature of a patient, the aspiration catheter system comprising:
• the outer catheter defining an outer catheter lumen and an outer catheter distal opening;
• the inner catheter defining an inner catheter lumen, an inner catheter distal opening, and a plurality of sidewall openings proximal to the inner catheter distal opening;
• and
• an alignment element configured to indicate a predetermined position of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter when the inner catheter is received within the outer catheter distal opening;
• positioning the inner catheter within the outer catheter lumen at the predetermined position such that at least one sidewall opening of the plurality of sidewall openings remains positioned within the outer catheter lumen and at least one other sidewall opening of the plurality of sidewall openings is positioned distal to the outer catheter distal opening;
• and
• delivering a fluid through the outer catheter lumen and through at least one of:
• the outer catheter distal opening into the vasculature of the patient, or
• at least one sidewall opening of the plurality of sidewall openings into the inner catheter lumen.

An aspiration catheter system comprising:

• an outer catheter configured to be navigated within vasculature of a patient from an entry site to a target site, the outer catheter defining an outer catheter lumen and an outer catheter distal opening;
• an inner catheter configured to be positioned within the outer catheter lumen, the inner catheter defining an inner catheter lumen, an inner catheter distal opening, and a plurality of sidewall openings proximal to the inner catheter distal opening;
• and
• an alignment element configured to indicate a predetermined position of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter when the inner catheter is received within the outer catheter lumen,
• wherein when the inner catheter is at the predetermined position, the aspiration catheter system defines:
• a first flow path of fluid from the outer catheter lumen through the outer catheter distal opening and the inner catheter distal opening to the inner catheter lumen,
• a second flow path of the fluid from the outer catheter lumen through the outer catheter distal opening and at least a first sidewall opening of the plurality of sidewall openings to the inner catheter lumen, and
• a third flow path of the fluid from the outer catheter lumen directly through at least a second sidewall opening of the plurality of sidewall openings to the inner catheter lumen, and
• wherein the outer catheter is configured to fluidically couple the outer catheter lumen to a fluid circulation system.