Rapid aspiration thrombectomy system and method

A system configured to facilitate advancement of a catheter through a blood vessel, the system comprising:

• a catheter having a lumen having an inner diameter;
• and
• a dilator comprising:
• a first section comprising a metal hypotube, wherein the first section has a maximum outer diameter;
• a second section distal of the first section, the second section being more flexible than the first section;
• a distal tip of the second section, a distal tip outer diameter being smaller than a second section outer diameter, wherein the second section outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the catheter and is larger than and tapers down to the maximum outer diameter of the first section, and wherein a distal-most end of the distal tip defines a distal opening;
• and
• a single lumen extending through the first section and the second section to the distal opening, wherein the single lumen extending through the first section and the second section of the dilator has a maximum inner diameter of 0.024 inch;
• wherein the second section outer diameter is configured to minimize open space between the dilator and the lumen of the catheter when the dilator is disposed within the lumen of the catheter to facilitate advancement of the catheter through the blood vessel, wherein the open space includes a gap between the dilator and the lumen of the catheter to allow the dilator to move within and beyond the catheter;
• wherein the second section is positioned at least partially, distally beyond a distal end of the catheter when the dilator is disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and wherein the gap is formed by a difference between the second section outer diameter and the inner diameter of the lumen of the catheter when the dilator is disposed within the lumen of the catheter;
• wherein the distal tip has a length and a flexibility configured to advance through the petrous portion of the internal carotid artery.