Devices and methods for removing obstructive material from an intravascular site

A method of removing embolic material from a vessel with mechanical and aspiration assistance, comprising the steps of:

• providing an aspiration catheter having a central lumen and a distal end;
• advancing the distal end to obstructive material in a vessel;
• rotating a tip within the lumen, the tip having an axial length of no more than about 5 mm and a helical thread having a major diameter that is at least about 0.015 inches smaller than an inside diameter of the lumen, to provide an aspiration flow path around the outside of the tip;
• and
• applying vacuum to the lumen and rotating the tip to draw material into the lumen.

A method of aspirating a vascular occlusion from a remote site, comprising the steps of:

• advancing an elongate tubular body through a vascular access site and up to a vascular occlusion, the tubular body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a central lumen, and a stop extending into the lumen from the tubular body;
• advancing a rotatable core wire distally through the lumen until a limit carried by the core wire slidably engages the stop to provide a rotatable bearing which limits further distal advance of the core wire within the lumen;
• and
• applying vacuum to the lumen and rotating the core wire to draw thrombus into the lumen.