Aspiration catheter including mechanical cutter

A method comprising using a medical device to segment a thrombus, wherein the medical device comprises:

• an elongated body comprising an expandable member disposed at a distal portion of the elongated body, the elongated body further comprising an interior surface defining an inner lumen;
• a rotatable cutting tool located within an inner lumen of the elongated body, the rotatable cutting tool configured to segment a thrombus into smaller pieces while an aspiration force pulls the thrombus proximally into the inner lumen;
• and
• an intermediate structure oriented radially between the rotatable cutting tool and the interior surface of the elongated body, the intermediate structure configured to prevent the cutting tool from contacting the interior surface of the elongated body.

A medical device comprising:

• an elongated body defining an inner lumen and comprising an expandable member disposed at a distal portion of the elongated body;
• a rotatable cutting tool located within an inner lumen of the elongated body, the rotatable cutting tool configured to segment a thrombus into smaller pieces while an aspiration force pulls the thrombus proximally into the inner lumen;
• and
• a stopper configured to limit movement of the cutting tool distally past a distal end of the expandable member.