SOFIA™ Distal Access Catheter: The Workhorse Intermediate Catheter for Neurointerventional Practice
Автор: Modern Medical Solutions Editorial Team
The SOFIA™ from MicroVention Terumo is a soft torqueable intermediate catheter available in 5F (0.055 in ID) and 6F (0.070 in ID) that functions as both a triaxial support platform for device delivery and as a direct aspiration catheter in the ADAPT stroke thrombectomy technique.
What Is the SOFIA™ Distal Access Catheter?
The SOFIA™ (Soft torqueable catheter Optimised For Intracranial Access) is a variable-stiffness braided intermediate catheter from MicroVention Terumo. Its proximal segment is stiffer for torque transmission through the aortic arch and cervical vessels, while the distal segment transitions to an ultra-soft atraumatic tip that navigates the supraclinoid ICA, M1, and basilar artery without vasospasm or vessel injury. Available in 5F (0.055 in ID, DA5115ST / DA5125ST) and 6F (0.070 in ID, DA6115ST).
SOFIA serves two distinct clinical roles: triaxial support platform (providing a stable intermediate station from which Headway microcatheters are advanced to target with dramatically improved pushability) and direct aspiration catheter (the 6F variant used as the primary ADAPT stroke thrombectomy tool for first-pass clot extraction).
Technical Specifications
SOFIA 5F: DA5115ST (115 cm) and DA5125ST (125 cm), 0.055 in ID, ≈5F distal OD. SOFIA 6F: DA6115ST (115 cm), 0.070 in ID. Both have hydrophilic outer coating and PTFE-lined inner lumen. The braided construction provides rotational torque response for directional steering at intracranial bifurcations.
Compatible with standard 8F/9F guide catheters including Chaperon balloon guide catheter. Works with all Headway microcatheters, ERIC stent retriever, and all 0.014 in guidewires including CHIKAI and Traxcess 14.
ADAPT Stroke Thrombectomy Technique
In ADAPT (A Direct Aspiration First Pass Technique), SOFIA 6F is advanced to the face of the occlusive thrombus over a 0.014 in wire, the wire is removed, and continuous aspiration is applied via syringe or pump. Negative pressure draws the thrombus into or against the catheter tip; the catheter is then withdrawn to extract the clot en bloc. ADAPT with SOFIA 6F achieves high first-pass recanalization rates for soft embolic thrombi in MCA M1 and ICA occlusions.
For SOLUMBRA technique, SOFIA 6F is combined with ERIC stent retriever: SOFIA is positioned at the proximal thrombus face while ERIC deploys across the clot; simultaneous SOFIA aspiration during ERIC withdrawal captures thrombus from both mechanisms, maximising first-pass efficacy and minimising distal embolization.
Triaxial Support Role
In elective neurointerventional procedures — aneurysm coiling, flow diversion, stent-assisted coiling — SOFIA is positioned within the intracranial vasculature to provide a stable intermediate platform from which the Headway microcatheter is advanced. This dramatically reduces the unsupported length of the microcatheter, improving pushability and trackability in complex tortuous anatomy.
SOFIA 5F is preferred for pure support applications in elective cases; SOFIA 6F is preferred when combined support and aspiration capability is desired. SOFIA 5F 125 cm extends reach for tall patients or high ICA origins.
Ordering Through Modern Medical Solutions
Modern Medical Solutions is the authorised MicroVention Terumo distributor for Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The full SOFIA catalog (DA5115ST, DA5125ST, DA6115ST) is available for neurointerventional programmes in Tajikistan and Afghanistan. For stroke thrombectomy programs, stocking SOFIA 6F 115 cm as the primary ADAPT catheter and SOFIA 5F 115 cm as the support catheter covers the majority of use cases.
Contact Modern Medical Solutions to discuss SOFIA alongside the SOFIA Plus (extended-length), SOFIA 88 (large-bore aspiration), Chaperon balloon guide catheter, and ERIC stent retriever as a complete neurointerventional and stroke thrombectomy system.
