Thrombus removal systems and associated methods

A thrombus removal device, comprising:

• an elongate shaft comprising a working end;
• at least one fluid lumen in the elongate shaft;
• and
• two or more apertures disposed at or near the working end, the two or more apertures in fluid communication with the at least one fluid lumen and configured to generate two or more fluid streams that interact within or near the working end at an interaction region, the two or more fluid streams having a flow rate and proximity sufficient to induce cavitation at the interaction region that is configured to mechanically morcellate a target thrombus.

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

• introducing a distal portion of an elongate catheter to a thrombus location in a blood vessel;
• drawing at least a section of the thrombus into the distal portion;
• and
• generating two or more fluid streams having a flow rate of at least 50 m/s that interact at an interaction region to create cavitation within the thrombus.

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

• introducing a distal portion of an elongate catheter to a thrombus location in a blood vessel;
• drawing at least a section of the thrombus into the distal portion;
• and
• generating two or more fluid streams that interact within or near the distal portion at an interaction region, wherein the two or more fluid streams are configured to apply at least four distinct breaking forces to the thrombus including:
• 1. a slicing force as the two or more fluid streams initially cut through the thrombus prior to meeting at the interaction region;
• 2. a cavitation force at the interaction region when the two or more fluid streams interact to generate cavitation;
• 3. a shearing force caused by the two or more fluid streams moving against each other to generate shearing cavitation;
• and
• 4) a rotational fluid motion force caused by the shearing force and the cavitation force.