SOFIA™ 88 Aspiration Catheter: Maximum-Bore Intracranial Aspiration for Large-Vessel Stroke
By Modern Medical Solutions Editorial Team
The SOFIA™ 88 is the largest-lumen SOFIA variant, with a 0.088 in inner diameter 8F distal access catheter for high-flow aspiration thrombectomy in ICA and MCA M1 large-vessel occlusions, and is the preferred SOFIA platform for SOLUMBRA combined aspiration and ERIC stent-retriever technique.
What Is the SOFIA™ 88?
The SOFIA™ 88 is the highest-ID variant in the MicroVention Terumo SOFIA family, providing a 0.088 in inner diameter through an 8F distal profile. Engineered specifically for maximum aspiration volume, it is the device of choice for ADAPT in large ICA terminus and MCA M1 occlusions where thrombus burden is highest and the 0.070 in SOFIA 6F may be insufficient for en-bloc extraction.
Available as DA8115ST (115 cm) and DA8120ST (120 cm). The 0.088 in lumen provides approximately 60% greater cross-sectional aspiration area than the 0.070 in SOFIA 6F, meaningfully increasing first-pass clot extraction probability. The lumen is large enough to accommodate the ERIC thrombectomy device for SOLUMBRA technique.
ADAPT and SOLUMBRA with SOFIA™ 88
In ADAPT, SOFIA 88 is advanced to the proximal thrombus face over a 0.014 in wire, the wire is removed, and aspiration is applied via a 60 mL syringe or dedicated pump. The larger bore creates greater negative pressure at the clot face than SOFIA 6F. SOFIA 88 ADAPT is most effective for large ICA terminus and MCA M1 occlusions with soft cardioembolic thrombus composition.
In SOLUMBRA, SOFIA 88 is positioned at the proximal thrombus face while ERIC is deployed from a Headway 17 microcatheter passed through the SOFIA 88. Simultaneous aspiration through SOFIA 88 during ERIC withdrawal captures thrombus between the cage structure and the aspiration face. Combined aspiration-retriever technique is supported by multiple RCTs as superior to single-modality thrombectomy.
Technique Tips
Use Chaperon balloon guide catheter in the cervical ICA: balloon inflation during retrieval creates proximal flow arrest, trapping any dislodged thrombus fragments for aspiration. Inflate balloon only when retrieval device is ready; maintain inflation throughout the entire retrieval sequence until the device exits the guide catheter.
If SOFIA 88 will not advance past the carotid siphon, use a WEDGE microcatheter or coaxially loaded Headway 21 with a shaped tip to create a straighter pathway. Do not force SOFIA 88 against hard resistance.
Clinical Evidence
SOFIA 88 is the recommended aspiration catheter for SOLUMBRA technique in the MicroVention Terumo stroke thrombectomy protocol. Published SOLUMBRA series consistently report first-pass recanalization (mTICI 2b/3) rates exceeding 60–70%, significantly higher than stent retriever alone. The SOFIA 88’s 0.088 in lumen matches the Penumbra ACE 88 benchmark lumen that defined large-bore aspiration.
For programs standardising their stroke thrombectomy approach, stocking SOFIA 88 alongside SOFIA 6F covers the full spectrum — SOFIA 6F for ADAPT in standard-calibre MCA M1, SOFIA 88 for high-volume ICA terminus occlusions and SOLUMBRA.
Ordering Through Modern Medical Solutions
Modern Medical Solutions is the authorised MicroVention Terumo distributor for Tajikistan and Afghanistan. SOFIA 88 is available in DA8115ST and DA8120ST for neurointerventional programmes in Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
Contact Modern Medical Solutions to discuss SOFIA 88 alongside Chaperon, ERIC, and the full SOFIA family as a complete stroke thrombectomy system.
