Thrombus removal systems and associated methods

A system for removing a thrombus from a blood vessel of a patient, the system comprising:

• an elongated catheter having a distal portion configured to be positioned within the blood vessel of the patient, a proximal portion configured to be positioned external to the patient, and an aspiration lumen extending therebetween;
• a chamber at the distal portion, the chamber having an outer surface that defines a distal opening;
• an aspiration mechanism fluidly coupled to the aspiration lumen and configured to reduce a pressure within the chamber to engage the thrombus within the distal opening of the chamber;
• a first fluid port and a second fluid port disposed within the chamber and surrounded by the outer surface of the chamber, the first fluid port having a first axis, the second fluid port having a second axis, wherein the first axis intersects with the second axis at a fluid intersection within the chamber, the first fluid port and the second fluid port being configured to direct respective fluid streams along the first axis and the second axis that collide with each other at the fluid intersection, wherein the fluid streams are configured to cut and at least partially fragment the thrombus engaged within the chamber such that the aspiration lumen can aspirate the at least partially fragmented thrombus.