US4781186A — Atherectomy device having a flexible housing

Claim 1

Independent Claim 183 words

In an atherectomy device for use in a vessel, a flexible tubular member having proximal and distal ends and having at least one lumen extending therethrough, a housing secured to the distal end of the tubular member, the housing having a cutout in one side thereof extending longitudinally of the housing and facing outwardly in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a collection chamber formed in the housing for retaining severed atheroma materials within the atherectomy device, a rotary cutter mounted in the housing for movement longitudinally of the housing through the cutout, at least a portion of the housing being flexible so as to permit bending of the housing between its distal and proximal extremities whereby the housing has the capability of following contours in a vessel in which the atherectomy device is to be utilized and, inflatable balloon means carried by the housing and mounted exterior of the housing on the side opposite the cutout so that when the balloon means is inflated the cutout will be moved towards the sidewall of the vessel.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 183 words

In an atherectomy device for use in a vessel, a flexible tubular member having proximal and distal ends and having at least one lumen extending therethrough, a housing secured to the distal end of the tubular member, the housing having a cutout in one side thereof extending longitudinally of the housing and facing outwardly in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a collection chamber formed in the housing for retaining severed atheroma materials within the atherectomy device, a rotary cutter mounted in the housing for movement longitudinally of the housing through the cutout, at least a portion of the housing being flexible so as to permit bending of the housing between its distal and proximal extremities whereby the housing has the capability of following contours in a vessel in which the atherectomy device is to be utilized and, inflatable balloon means carried by the housing and mounted exterior of the housing on the side opposite the cutout so that when the balloon means is inflated the cutout will be moved towards the sidewall of the vessel.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

A device as in claim 1 wherein said flexible portion of the housing houses the collection chamber.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

A device as in claim 1 wherein said housing is substantially circular in cross section.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 19 words

A device as in claim 1 wherein said flexible portion of said housing is formed of a braided material.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 15 words

A device as in claim 4 wherein said braided material is impregnated with a plastic.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 48 words

A device as in claim 1 wherein said flexible portion of the housing is formed of a rigid material having a plurality of arcuate cutouts disposed therein spaced apart longitudinally of the housing and extending at a substantial angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 18 words

A device as in claim 6 wherein a plastic material is disposed in the cutouts in the housing.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

A device as in claim 6 wherein the cutouts extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 159 words

In the atherectomy device for use in a vascular vessel, a flexible tubular member having proximal and distal ends and having at least one lumen running therethrough, the flexible tubular member being adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel, a housing carried by the distal extremity of the tubular member and having a cutout on one side thereof, the cutout extending longitudinally of the housing and facing outwardly in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, the housing having a collection chamber spaced distally of the cutout for retaining severed atheroma materials within the housing, a cutter rotatably mounted within the housing for movement longitudinally of the housing past the cutout, the cutter having an annular cutting edge, the portion of the housing containing the collection chamber being flexible so as to permit bending to allow the housing to follow contours in a vessel in which the atherectomy device is to be utilized.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 159 words

In the atherectomy device for use in a vascular vessel, a flexible tubular member having proximal and distal ends and having at least one lumen running therethrough, the flexible tubular member being adapted for insertion into the vascular vessel, a housing carried by the distal extremity of the tubular member and having a cutout on one side thereof, the cutout extending longitudinally of the housing and facing outwardly in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, the housing having a collection chamber spaced distally of the cutout for retaining severed atheroma materials within the housing, a cutter rotatably mounted within the housing for movement longitudinally of the housing past the cutout, the cutter having an annular cutting edge, the portion of the housing containing the collection chamber being flexible so as to permit bending to allow the housing to follow contours in a vessel in which the atherectomy device is to be utilized.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

An atherectomy device as in claim 9, wherein the portion of said housing having the cutout therein is rigid.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

An atherectomy device as in claim 9, wherein said portion of the housing having the collection chamber therein is formed of a braided material.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 37 words

An atherectomy device as in claim 9, wherein said flexible portion of the housing is formed of a flexible plastic tube encased by the braided material and wherein the braided material is sealed with a flexible material.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 38 words

An atherectomy device as in claim 9, together with a nose cone coupled to the distal extremity of the collection chamber, and a flexible guide wire, secured to the nose cone and extending forwardly of the nose cone.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 54 words

An atherectomy device as in claim 9 together with a cutter stopper that includes a shoulder having a diameter less than the diameter of the cutting edge, the shoulder being adapted to engage a portion of the cutter other than the cutting edge to limit the cutter's distal movement without contacting the cutting edge.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-11-01	1992-05-02	1992-11-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-11-01	1996-05-02	1996-11-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-11-01	2000-05-02	2000-11-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Atherectomy device having a flexible housing

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