Suction catheter system

A suction catheter assembly for aspiration of thrombi and emboli from blood vessels has a central catheter (2) and an external catheter (1) surrounding the latter coaxially. For insertion of the catheter arrangement into a vessel and for dilating it, there are a guide wire (4) and a dilator (3). Removal of a blood clot is effected via reduced pressure applied on to the central catheter (2). If the central catheter (2) is blocked by the blood clot during aspiration of the latter the central catheter (2) can be pulled out of the external catheter (1) and replaced by a new central catheter (2). This new central catheter (2) can be connected to the aspiration device, and the process can be continued. Instead of inserting a new central catheter (2) the aspiration process can also be continued through the external catheter (1) by connecting it to the aspiration device after removal of the central catheter (2).