Transluminal lysing system

Claim 1

A Transluminal Lysing System for the removal of stenotic and occlusive lesions from vascular lumens comprising: a cutting helix further comprising; a wire coiled helically, having a generally uniform axial pitch so as to form a tubular coil of multiple turns of wire, having a distal end and proximal end so that when the coil is engaged in lesion material rotations of the coil will induce distal longitudinal advancement of the coil, a means for support, translation, rotation, and communication with the coil attached to the proximal end of the coil and being of generally tubular construction of sufficient length to provide for operation of the coil from a location outside the vascular lumen, a sharply disposed entrance tip formed by the last distal turn of wire in the coil tip being displaced inwardly toward the central axis of the coil to provide for first cutter means as the coil is rotated into lesion material and to guide lesion material between the next proximal turn of wire as the coil is rotated, the wire making up the coil having; a cross-section normal to its length having two opposing oblique corners sharpened such that when coiled the sharpened edges project in the distal and proximal directions on each turn of the coil so as to contact or come closest to contact at the outer most circumference of the successive turns of the coil to provide for second cutting means as lesion material is passed successively from the entrance tip to the coil and between the sharpened corners, as the coil is rotated, the sharpened corners also acting as third cutting means during translation of the coil, and the wire normal cross-section also such that when coiled a continuous helical ridge or protuberance is formed on the inner surface of the coil to entrap and retain excised lesion material for removal from the vascular lumen.