Imperative Care launches new dual aspiration technology for stroke treatment

Imperative Care launches new stroke treatment: ©Utah51 - stock.adobe.com

Imperative Care Inc. announced the expansion of its Zoom Stroke System with the launch of Zoom DuoPort, a new technology that allows physicians to perform stroke thrombectomy using its Continuous Dual Aspiration Technique (CDAT). The technique enables simultaneous aspiration through two Zoom catheters using a single vacuum source.

According to the company, CDAT offers physicians improved control and real-time feedback during procedures, streamlining treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke. It is the latest enhancement to the FDA-cleared Zoom System, the first comprehensive thrombectomy system to feature large-bore .088” catheters indicated for both vascular access and clot removal.

“The launch of CDAT and Zoom DuoPort is the result of our direct partnership with physicians who participated in the Imperative Trial and provided feedback on the need to make their procedures more efficient when applying aspiration to two Zoom catheters at the same time,” said Ariel Sutton, executive vice president and general manager of Imperative Care’s Stroke business.

The company cited data from the Imperative Trial showing that dual aspiration with the Zoom system achieved a 19-minute median time from groin puncture to mTICI ≥2B reperfusion, reportedly the fastest in major prospective mechanical thrombectomy trials.

In one of the first clinical cases using the new technology, Hakeem Shakir, MD, of Oklahoma University Health achieved full revascularization on the first pass using continuous dual aspiration with Zoom 88 and Zoom 71 catheters.

“In this case, a first-pass TICI 3 result was made possible because of the control I was able to achieve with continuous dual aspiration,” Shakir said. “CDAT is a more common-sense approach to aspiration thrombectomy that streamlines the process, optimizes efficiencies and brings me immediate confidence that the stroke-causing clot has been captured.”

The Zoom Stroke System includes a range of access and aspiration catheters, pumps, and accessories designed for fast and effective clot removal. All Zoom catheters incorporate the company’s proprietary TRX Tip, which offers a 15% larger clot engagement area at the catheter tip.

Recent advances in stroke care

In recent years, stroke care has seen significant advancements, driven by improvements in medical devices, faster imaging techniques, and greater coordination across emergency and specialty care teams. Acute ischemic stroke—the most common type, caused by a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain—requires rapid intervention to minimize brain damage and improve outcomes. The standard of care has evolved to focus on both speed and precision in removing the clot responsible for the stroke.

One of the most transformative developments has been the widespread adoption of mechanical thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that physically removes clots from blocked vessels. First approved in 2015 for select patients, thrombectomy is now recommended for a broader population, including those with large vessel occlusions and extended time windows of up to 24 hours from symptom onset, provided imaging confirms salvageable brain tissue.

Technology has played a key role in enabling these changes. Newer thrombectomy devices feature larger, more flexible catheters that can navigate tortuous anatomy and extract clots more efficiently. Innovations such as aspiration catheters, which use suction to remove clots, and stent retrievers, which trap and pull out blockages, have become standard tools. Some systems now allow dual aspiration or provide real-time feedback from within the sterile field, further improving procedural success and speed.

Parallel to these device improvements, stroke systems of care have matured. Hospitals now work closely with EMS providers to triage patients to the appropriate level of stroke care—known as the "hub-and-spoke" model. Artificial intelligence and advanced imaging software have also accelerated diagnosis and treatment decisions, helping teams identify which patients will benefit most from interventions.

These collective advances have dramatically improved the odds for stroke patients, reducing long-term disability and expanding treatment access across broader geographic and demographic groups. As stroke care continues to evolve, emerging technologies like dual aspiration and enhanced visualization promise to push outcomes even further.