Balloon expandable atherectomy cutter
First Claim
1. An atherectomy cutter which comprises:
- a hollow wire formed with a lumen;
an inflatable balloon mounted on said wire in fluid communication with said lumen;
a rotatable catheter rotatably mounted to said wire; and
a flexible cutter assembly attached to said rotatable catheter and positioned to surround said balloon, said balloon being fluid inflatable to move said cutter assembly between a first configuration wherein said cutter assembly has a first radius of rotation and a second configuration wherein said cutter assembly has a second radius of rotation.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A balloon expandable atherectomy cutter for removing plaque from an artery includes an elongated cutter assembly having a plurality of blades which, with respect to the axis of rotation of the cutter, are radially separated from each other and axially aligned with each other. The assembly is mounted on the distal end of a rotatable catheter and is rotatable about a quide wire to cut plaque from an artery as it is rotated. An inflatable balloon, is mounted between an ovoid space formed between the blades. An inflator is connected with the balloon to inflate the balloon and urge it against the distal portion of the blades. In the operation of the cutter, when the balloon is deflated the blades establish a first radius of rotation which cuts through the plaque of a stenotic segment as the cutter is advanced into the artery. When the balloon is inflated, the blades are urged by the balloon into an expanded configuration wherein the blades establish a second radius or rotation, larger than the first radius, in order to cut plaque from the stenotic segment as the cutter is withdrawn from the artery.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An atherectomy cutter which comprises:
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a hollow wire formed with a lumen; an inflatable balloon mounted on said wire in fluid communication with said lumen; a rotatable catheter rotatably mounted to said wire; and a flexible cutter assembly attached to said rotatable catheter and positioned to surround said balloon, said balloon being fluid inflatable to move said cutter assembly between a first configuration wherein said cutter assembly has a first radius of rotation and a second configuration wherein said cutter assembly has a second radius of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An atherectomy cutter which comprises:
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a cutter assembly having a plurality of spaced apart blades, each said blade having a proximal end and a distal end, and said plurality of blades disposed to collectively define a hollow substantially ovoid shaped space; drive means for rotating said cutter assembly; and inflation means positioned in said ovoid space for moving said cutter assembly between a first configuration wherein said cutter assembly has a first radius of rotation and a second configuration wherein said cutter assembly has a second radius of rotation - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for using a balloon expandable atherectomy cutter which comprises the steps of:
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Providing an atherectomy cutter having a hollow wire formed with a lumen and an inflatable balloon mounted on said wire in fluid communication with said lumen, a rotatable catheter slidingly disposed over said wire, and a flexible cutter assembly attached to said rotatable catheter and positioned to surround said balloon, said balloon being fluid inflatable to move said cutter assembly between a first configuration wherein said cutter assembly has a first radius of rotation and a second configuration wherein said cutter assembly has a second radius of rotation; Inserting said atherectomy cutter into an artery of the patient and against plaque within a stenotic segment of the artery to be removed; Rotating said rotatable catheter and said cutter assembly in said first configuration to advance said cutter through said plaque; Inflating said balloon to move said cutter assembly into said second configuration; and Rotating said rotatable catheter and said cutter assembly in said second configuration and pulling said cutter through said plaque. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification