A method for treating a patient having thrombus includes providing a manipulation device including a housing configured to be supported by the hand of a user and having a distal and proximal end, a drive system disposed within the housing, and configured to rotate a rotation member, an engagement member coupled to the rotation member and configured to be removably coupled to an elongate medical device, an activation member carried by the housing such that it can be operated by at least a portion of the hand of the user when the housing is supported by the hand of the user, the drive system configured to apply motive force to the engagement member, securing an elongate member to the engagement member, introducing at least the distal end of the elongate member into a blood vessel adjacent a thrombus, operating the activation member to cause at least some rotation of the rotation member, which in turn causes at least some rotation of the distal end of the elongate member at or near the thrombus, and aspirating at least some of the thrombus with an aspiration catheter.
