Mechanical Clot Engagement Option for CAVT Thrombectomy Now Available

Sept. 8, 2026 — Penumbra recently launched the Link clot capture device designed to support the removal of arterial thrombus when used in conjunction with Lightning Bolt technology.  Link is designed to lock and hold clot, connecting to the power of computer assisted vacuum thrombectomy (CAVT) to secure and maximize clot extraction.

“Link expands the toolkit available to physicians by providing an additional mechanical clot engagement option that can help address resistant thrombus while maintaining aspiration with CAVT,” said James F. Benenati, MD, FSIR, chief medical officer at Penumbra. “By offering clinicians greater flexibility in challenging cases, it has the potential to improve procedural efficiency and support more effective patient care.”

Link Clot Capture Device

Deployed into thrombus, Link engages and mobilizes organized clot while aspiration facilitates clot ingestion into the aspiration catheter. Designed to complement existing Lightning Bolt workflows, Link can be incorporated when additional mechanical clot engagement is desired, without requiring a fundamentally different procedural approach. 

Early physician experience has highlighted Link’s ability to work synergistically with Lightning Bolt technology. “Link appeared to provide a secure hold on the embolus, allowing Bolt to more effectively aspirate the residual thrombus,” said Thomas Heafner, MD, after using Link with Bolt 7. “Combining Link with Lightning Bolt resulted in rapid and effective clot clearance.”

“Link represents an important advancement in our CAVT portfolio, providing an additional option for engaging and removing challenging blood clots,” said Shruthi Narayan, president of Penumbra. “Link was designed to bring a new dimension to thrombectomy by combining secure clot engagement with the power of modulated aspiration, offering clinicians an additional therapeutic option for some of the most challenging cases. This launch reflects our continued commitment to developing technologies that advance vascular care and improve patient outcomes.”

Designed to Secure Clot, Maximize Extraction

Link is designed to lock and hold clot while leveraging the power of CAVT to support clot removal. Its unique architecture is engineered to minimize vessel wall engagement and support atraumatic clot extraction.