Von Vascular study links ALGO aspiration to higher clot ingestion and first-pass success

Von Vascular says a preclinical study published Oct. 13 in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery found its ALGO Smart Pump with Adaptive Pulsatile Aspiration outperformed a static aspiration setup in an in-vivo thrombectomy model. The findings showed higher complete clot ingestion, better first-pass reperfusion and fewer distal embolization events, but the results are not yet proven in patients.

Why it matters: - The study suggests aspiration dynamics may influence thrombectomy performance beyond simple suction strength. - Higher complete clot ingestion could reduce clot left at the catheter tip and may lower the risk of downstream embolization. - The findings add preclinical support for Von Vascular's ALGO Smart Pump as the company pushes toward clinical testing.

What happened: - Von Vascular announced publication of a preclinical study on its ALGO Smart Pump with Adaptive Pulsatile Aspiration in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery. - The paper was published online Oct. 13, 2026. - University of Miami Miller School of Medicine researchers performed 40 thrombectomy procedures in an in-vivo large vessel occlusion model. - The model used moderate and firm clot analogs. - Thirty procedures used ALGO APA with 0.055-inch and 0.071-inch aspiration catheters. - Ten procedures used Penumbra's ENGINE with 0.072-inch catheters.

The details: - ALGO APA achieved complete clot ingestion in 83.3% of procedures, compared with 40% for the static aspiration group. - ALGO APA achieved complete reperfusion after one pass in 80% of procedures, compared with 40% in the static aspiration group. - Distal embolization did not occur in the ALGO APA group. - Distal embolization occurred in 40% of procedures in the static aspiration group. - The study reported a p-value of 0.014 for complete clot ingestion. - The study reported a p-value of 0.041 for first-pass complete reperfusion. - The study reported a p-value of 0.002 for distal embolization. - Complete clot ingestion means the clot is drawn fully into the catheter or collection reservoir without clot exposed at the catheter tip. - Distal embolization occurred only in procedures where complete clot ingestion was not achieved. - ALGO APA uses real-time sensor feedback and computer-controlled aspiration to adjust suction during clot engagement and ingestion. - The system is designed to draw clot fully into the catheter by adapting how suction is applied. - The article is titled “Adaptive pulsatile aspiration leads to improved thrombectomy outcomes during in vivo large vessel occlusion for acute ischemic stroke.” - The paper is available at the journal DOI.

Between the lines: - The comparison was not a clean head-to-head test of identical conditions. - The study used unequal treatment groups. - The study used different catheters between groups. - The findings therefore apply to the tested pump and catheter configurations, not to all aspiration systems. - The results are preclinical and do not establish patient outcomes. - The data still point to complete clot ingestion as a potentially important endpoint in thrombectomy research.

What's next: - Dr. Robert M. Starke said the next step is to determine whether the procedural gains translate into patient benefit. - The company said further controlled studies and human clinical evaluation are needed. - Von Vascular said the study provides a foundation for upcoming clinical work. - Von Vascular said its development focus remains on aspiration systems that give clinicians real-time information and direct control.

The bottom line: - The study gives Von Vascular early evidence that adaptive pulsatile aspiration may improve clot removal performance in a preclinical stroke model, but patient benefit remains unproven.