Expandable pullback atherectomy catheter system

Abstract

Abstract Disclosed is an expandable pullback atherectomy catheter (EPAC) (10) comprising a distal tip portion (12) capable of assuming two diameters. The distal tip portion (12) includes an expandable cutting means (20) and an expandable tissue collecting means (17). The catheter (10) is guided in an artery (AW) to the stenoisis (P) and the distal tip (12) is urged past the stenosis while being maintained in a compressed state by a sheathing catheter (40). The sheathing catheter is withdrawn allowing the cutting means (20) and collecting means (17) to expand. The stenotic tissue is removed by pulling the distal tip back in a retrograde direction while the cut tissue is captured in the collecting means (17). Additional structural details are provided to prevent injury to the inner wall of an artery and to avoid total obstruction of the artery during the atherectomy procedure.

Inventors

• 👤 Robert E. Fischell
• 👤 Tim A. Fischell

Bibliographic Details