Catheter atherotome

Abstract

Abstract A catheter atherotome (10) and method for its use for performing partial atherectomy in an artery and thereby enlarging the lumen effectively available for blood flow through the artery. Several blades (34) are mounted at a distal end of a catheter (30), in a helical basket configuration and spaced angularly apart from one another about the associated ends of two concentric sheaths (12, 14) in such a way that longitudinal and rotary relative movement of the sheaths selectively bows the blades arcuately outwardly into a cutting position or draws the blades into a cutting position or draws the blades flat into alignment with sheaths. The blades (34) have sharpened cutting edges (44) extending helically and directed toward the catheter's proximal end when the blades are bowed. Partial removal of atheroma is effected by manually pulling the basket knife past an atheroma with the blades (34) in their outwardly bowed cutting positions, with the speed, force, and amount of expansion of the blades determined by the operator.

Inventors

• 👤 Vincent A. Reger
• 👤 Thomas L. Kelly

Bibliographic Details