Aspiration catheters, systems, and methods

A catheter for insertion into a body lumen of a patient, comprising:

• a distal end configured for insertion into the body lumen of the patient;
• a proximal end;
• an elongated body extending between the proximal and distal ends and having a cross-section that includes, over at least a portion of the elongated body, a first side that is flat and a second side on an opposite side of the cross-section from the first side forming a D-shape in cross-section;
• at least one pre-formed compound curve near the distal end of the elongated body;
• and
• at least one lumen extending through the elongated body from the proximal end to the distal end, the at least one lumen being hollow and configured for at least one of delivery and removal of matter to and/or from the body lumen.

A catheter system for insertion into a body lumen of a patient, comprising:

• a distal end configured for insertion into the body lumen of the patient;
• a proximal end;
• an elongated body extending between the proximal and distal ends and having a cross-section that includes, over at least a portion of the elongated body, a first side that is flat and a second side on an opposite side of the cross-section from the first side;
• and
• at least one lumen extending through the elongated body from the proximal end to the distal end,
• wherein, when the distal end is adapted for insertion into the body lumen of the patient, the catheter is only capable of having a resting disposition in two orientations within the body lumen:
• a first orientation and a second orientation, the second orientation being substantially an 180° rotation of the catheter about a longitudinal axis of the elongated body relative to the first orientation,
• wherein the at least one curve and the first side are arranged such that, when the distal end is adapted for insertion into the body lumen of the patient, the distal end is directed toward one of a left bronchus and a right bronchus of the patient in the first orientation, and toward the other of the left bronchus and the right bronchus of the patient in the second orientation.