Retraction and aspiration device for treating embolism and associated systems and methods

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

• a catheter including—
• a first elongated shaft having proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein an inner surface of the first elongated shaft defines a lumen,
• a second elongated shaft positioned at least partially within the lumen of the first elongated shaft, wherein the second elongated shaft has a proximal portion and a distal portion, and
• a treatment device coupled to the distal portion of the second elongated shaft;
• a pressure source;
• a retraction and aspiration device including an actuation mechanism configured to be coupled to the pressure source and at least one of the first and/or second elongated shafts, wherein the actuation mechanism includes a lever;
• and
• wherein movement of the lever simultaneously generates a negative pressure in the lumen and retracts the second elongated shaft.

A method for the intravascular treatment of clot material from a treatment site within a blood vessel of a human patient, the method comprising:

• providing a retraction and aspiration device having an actuation mechanism, wherein the actuation mechanism has an actuator and is configured to be coupled to a pressure source and a proximal portion of a catheter, wherein the catheter includes an elongated shaft configured to be intravascularly positioned at the treatment site and an elongated member positioned within a lumen of the elongated shaft, wherein a distal portion of the elongated member includes a treatment device;
• and
• moving the actuator to simultaneously generate a negative pressure within the lumen of the elongated shaft via the pressure source and retract the elongated member;
• and
• incrementally drawing the treatment device and the clot material into the lumen of the elongated shaft.

A method for the intravascular treatment of clot material from a treatment site within a cerebral vessel of a human patient, the method comprising:

• providing a retraction and aspiration device having an actuation mechanism, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to be coupled to a pressure source and a proximal portion of a catheter, wherein the catheter includes an elongated shaft configured to be intravascularly positioned at the treatment site and an elongated member positioned within a lumen of the elongated shaft, wherein a distal portion of the elongated member includes a treatment device;
• and
• activating an actuation mechanism to generate a negative pressure within the lumen of the elongated shaft via the pressure source and retract the elongated member;
• and
• incrementally drawing the treatment device and the clot material into the lumen of the elongated shaft.