CAVT Stands Alone
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⚠️ Indications, Safety, and Warnings
Penumbra Lightning Bolt and Lightning Flash aspiration system controllers displayed in front of collection canisters against a blue circuit-pattern background.

CAVT® Computer Assisted Vacuum Thrombectomy platform by Penumbra® harnesses advanced computer technology designed to enable rapid restoration of blood flow in cases such as pulmonary embolism (PE), venous thromboembolism (VTE), and acute limb ischemia (ALI).

The platform utilizes the Penumbra ENGINE® Aspiration Source, which delivers nearly pure, continuous vacuum (-29 inHg or -98.2 kPa) to our catheters, engineered to enable thrombus removal in a wide range of vessel sizes.

Lightning Flash® Stands Alone

The Lightning Flash system by Penumbra is designed to enhance the safety, speed, and simplicity of PE treatment and VT removal. It is the only mechanical thrombectomy system with Level 1 Evidence compared to the standard of care.a

The Fastest Device for the Treatment of PE

Reported Device Times in Minutesb

Bar chart comparing reported thrombectomy device times across aspiration systems. Lightning Flash shows the shortest reported device time at 25 minutes, compared with 31 to 57.4 minutes for other systems.

Penumbra Lightning Flash aspiration thrombectomy system Penumbra Lightning Flash aspiration thrombectomy system

a. As of September 2026.
b. The definition of device time varies between studies. See citations and corresponding publications for specific definitions.
c. STORM-PE demonstrated a median device time of 25 minutes utilizing Lightning Flash 1.0 and 2.0.
d. Safety and feasibility single-arm study (n=25).
1. Lookstein RA, Konstantinides SV, Weinberg I, et al. Randomized controlled trial of mechanical thrombectomy with anticoagulation versus anticoagulation alone for acute intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism: primary outcomes from the STORM-PE trial. Circulation. 2026 Jan 6;153(1):21-34. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.125.077232. Median thrombectomy time 25 min.
2. Bangalore S, Tomalty RD, Kado H, et al. Prospective multicenter IDE study of the next-generation precision aspiration thrombectomy system for intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism: the SYMPHONY-PE trial. Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2026 Nov;18(11):e015815. Median device use-time of 31 min.
3. Keeling WB, Ranade M. Evaluating the safety and efficacy of the AlphaVac F1885 system in acute intermediate risk PE patients: APEX-AV trial. J Soc Cardiovasc Angiogr Interv. 2024;3(5)(suppl):101876. [Abstract LB-7] doi:10.1016/j.jscai.2024.101876. Mean Procedural time (device time) 37.2 min.
4. Sabri S, Horr S, Stegman B, et al; on behalf of the AVENTUS Trial Investigators. Novel aspiration thrombectomy and blood reinfusion system for acute intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism: AVENTUS trial results. J Soc Cardiovasc Angiogr Interv. 2025 May 2;4(7):103661. doi:10.1016/j.jscai.2025.103661. Median catheter dwell time of 39.5 min.
5. Jaber WA, Gonsalves CF, Stortecky S, et al. Large-bore mechanical thrombectomy versus catheter-directed thrombolysis in the management of intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism: Primary results of the PEERLESS randomized controlled trial. Circulation. 2025 Feb 4;151(5):260-273. doi:10.1161CIRCULATIONAHA.124.072364. Treatment catheter dwell time 47.9 min. (Mean).
6. Kobayashi T, Secemsky EA, Klein AJ, et al. A safety and feasibility single-arm study of a novel catheter thrombectomy device for the treatment of pulmonary embolism (ENGULF). J Soc Cardiovasc Angiogr Interv. 2024 May 3;3(6):102049. doi:10.1016/j.jscai.2024.102049. Mean procedure time from device insertion to removal was 57.4 min.
7. Toma C. Impact of a blood return system on mechanical thrombectomy-associated blood loss and hemodynamic outcomes in a pulmonary embolism registry. European Heart Journal. 2022 Oct;43(Suppl 2):ehac544.1893. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.1893.

Pulmonary Embolism Cases

angiogram of pulmonary arteries showing reduced contrast filling with a central area of diminished perfusion before treatment

Pre, Post & Clot

angiogram of pulmonary arteries showing improved contrast perfusion throughout branching vessels after intervention, with a catheter positioned near the main vessel

Pre, Post & Clot

angiogram showing reduced contrast perfusion in pulmonary artery branches with areas of diminished flow before treatment

Pre, Post & Clot

angiogram showing improved contrast perfusion through pulmonary artery branches following intervention, with a catheter positioned in the main vessel

Pre, Post & Clot

Large branching blood clot specimens placed over a labeled diagram of the lungs and pulmonary arteries, aligned with the right and left arterial trees

Pre, Post & Clot

Lightning Flash 3.0

Bilateral Pulmonary Thrombectomy

Dr. Tony Lu
Case completed at:
Houston Methodist
Houston, TX

angiogram of the pulmonary arteries showing a catheter advanced into a branching vessel with contrast outlining bilateral vascular structure

Pre, Post & Clot

angiogram showing a catheter within the main pulmonary artery with contrast filling both lungs and a central device visible within the vessel

Pre, Post & Clot

Large branching blood clot specimen laid over a labeled diagram of the lungs and pulmonary arteries, matching the shape of the bilateral arterial tree

Pre, Post & Clot

Lightning Flash 3.0

Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism Thrombectomy

Dr. Matt Ramsey
Case completed at:
Duke University Hospital
Durham, NC

Images used with permission and provided for illustrative purposes only. Procedural techniques and decisions based on physician’s medical judgment. Individual results may vary. Consents on file at Penumbra, Inc.

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Complete Arterial Platform

Advancing ALI Care

Lightning Bolt® technology by Penumbra is an advanced arterial thrombectomy system. Designed with intelligent, Modulated Aspiration, it can identify friction within the catheter and automatically adjust aspiration to help overcome resistance and designed to optimize clot removal.
Designed for rapid, efficient, thrombus extraction, Lightning Bolt technology supports an endovascular-first approach across a broad range of arterial cases, engineered to help physicians restore blood flow quickly and minimize the need for more invasive management options.
Animation of deconstruction of Lightning Bolt Animation of deconstruction of Lightning Bolt

CAVT hardware as seen in Lightning Bolt

Arterial Cases

angiogram of occulated blood vessel

Pre, Post & Clot

angiogram of cleared blood vessel

Pre, Post & Clot

blood clot removed using Lightning Bolt 7X

Pre, Post & Clot

Lightning Bolt 7

Superior Mesenteric Artery​ Thrombus Removal

Dr. Drew Stewart
Case completed at:
Central Washington Hospital, WA

angiogram of occulated blood vessel

Pre, Post & Clot

angiogram of cleared blood vessel

Pre, Post & Clot

blood clot removed using Lightning Bolt 6X

Pre, Post & Clot

Lightning Bolt 6X with TraX

Tibioperoneal Clot Removal

Case completed at:
Indiana University Health Physicians
IU Health, IN

Images used with permission and provided for illustrative purposes only. Procedural techniques and decisions based on physician’s medical judgment. Individual results may vary. Consents on file at Penumbra, Inc.

More CAVT Cases

The Complete CAVT Platform

  • Catheter component with a curved distal shape and a metallic-looking proximal hub, shown against a blue-to-teal gradient background with lung and vascular anatomy icons.

    Lightning
    Flash 3.0

    White line illustration of lungs inside a circular blue icon  White line illustration of the blood vessels in both legs inside a circular teal icon

    Lightning Flash 3.0 features next-gen CAVT software for the removal of VT and treatment of PE.

  • Black angled catheter tip with a metallic-looking proximal section, displayed on a blue-to-teal gradient background with lung and vascular anatomy icons.

    Select +
    Catheter

    White line illustration of lungs inside a circular blue icon  White line illustration of the blood vessels in both legs inside a circular teal icon

    Packaged with Lightning Flash 3.0, the Select +™ catheter is engineered for the pulmonary anatomy.

  • Black catheter with a clear connector attached at the proximal end, displayed on a blue-to-teal gradient background with lung and vascular anatomy icons.

    ELEMENT
    Sheath

    White line illustration of lungs inside a circular blue icon  White line illustration of the blood vessels in both legs inside a circular teal icon

    ELEMENT™ Vascular Access System is the first laser-cut hypotube sheath designed for venous thromboembolism (VTE).

  • Catheter with a metallic-looking proximal hub and green flexible shaft in an S-shaped configuration, displayed on a red-to-teal gradient background with vascular and lung anatomy icons.

    Lightning
    Bolt 12

    ed circular icon showing a stylized human vascular anatomy outline.White line illustration of the blood vessels in both legs inside a circular teal icon

    Lightning Bolt 12 is designed to address VTE with Modulated Aspiration and is engineered for improved clot removal efficiency.

  • Catheter with a metallic-looking proximal hub and blue flexible shaft in an S-shaped configuration, displayed on a red background with a vascular anatomy icon.

    Lightning
    Bolt 7

    ed circular icon showing a stylized human vascular anatomy outline.

    Lightning Bolt 7 uses Modulated Aspiration designed to rapidly remove large, fibrous blood clots in the arteries with minimal blood loss.

  • Flexible catheter featuring a coiled shaft and curved distal tip, displayed on a red background with a vascular anatomy icon.

    Lightning
    Bolt 6X with TraX

    ed circular icon showing a stylized human vascular anatomy outline.

    Lightning Bolt 6X with TraX™ features advanced coil-winding designed for superior trackability and an enhanced hydrophilic coating designed for smoother navigation.

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