The THUNDER study, which enrolled 216 patients across 29 U.S. centers, met its primary performance goals by achieving successful reperfusion in 87.5% of cases. The device utilizes modulated aspiration to fatigue and ingest clots, a process that researchers noted is critical for achieving optimal functional recovery. In 70.4% of treated cases, clinicians reached the mTICI 2c-3 score, a benchmark associated with significantly improved patient outcomes.

Data from the trial highlighted operational efficiency, with a median time-to-revascularization of 20 minutes and a first-pass success rate of 64.8%. Safety metrics were equally notable, with serious procedure-related adverse events occurring in only 2.8% of participants. Donald Frei, a co-principal investigator of the study, emphasized that the system’s ability to reliably ingest clots while maintaining a low complication profile represents a meaningful advancement in mechanical thrombectomy. The THUNDERBOLT device has already secured FDA clearance and a CE Mark, positioning it as a new tool for neurointerventionalists managing complex stroke cases.