Method of aspirating a thrombus accumulation between a venous valve and a vein wall

A method for removing a thrombus accumulation from a space between a venous valve and a wall of a vein, the valve comprising a leaflet opening from a first side of the vein to a second side of the vein, the thrombus accumulation being disposed along the second side of the vein in the space between the venous valve and the wall of the vein, the method comprising:

• introducing an occlusion catheter within the vein;
• positioning a first occlusion member of the occlusion catheter on the second side of the vein;
• expanding the first occlusion member of the occlusion catheter to an expanded configuration to engage the wall of the vein;
• introducing an aspiration catheter within the vein and through said valve from the first side to the second side of the vein, the aspiration catheter comprising an aspiration lumen and an articulable nozzle with a nozzle lumen and an end opening;
• positioning the end opening of the articulable nozzle on the second side of the vein proximate the thrombus accumulation, the nozzle comprising a bent configuration with the nozzle lumen being acutely angled relative to said aspiration lumen and said end opening facing away from a distal direction of said aspiration catheter;
• and
• aspirating the thrombus accumulation through the end opening, nozzle lumen and aspiration lumen of the aspiration catheter to remove the thrombus accumulation from the space between the valve and the wall of the vein.