A system for removing material from the body of a patient, the system including a aspiration catheter insertable into the patient having a distal end with a steerable tip configured to bend in one or more directions and a controller mechanically coupled to the aspiration catheter and operable by a user to bend the steerable tip in the one or more directions. The system may also include a pump having an inlet port in fluid communication with the aspiration catheter and a discharge port in fluid communication with a return catheter configured to be inserted into the patient to return aspirated blood to the patient. A filter device may be positioned between the aspiration catheter and the pump, the filter device configured to trap solid material received in the aspiration catheter from the body of the patient.
