Rotatable dynamic seal and guide for a medical obstruction treatment device sub-assembly coupled to a drive motor unit

• US 6,022,363 A
• Filed: 12/21/1998
• Issued: 02/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Micro Therapeutics, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Walker, Blair D., Pool, Scott L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis, William W.
• Application Number:
  US09/217,786
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/158, 606/170, 606/180, 604/22
• US Class Current: 606/159
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320758 with a rotating cutting instrument, e.g. motor driven A61B17/320725, A61B17/32075 and A61B17/320783 take precedence; for removing intra-ocular material A61F9/00763; endoscopic rotatable cutting instruments A61B17/32002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320012 Brushes

Abstract

A miniaturized obstruction treatment device, e.g., a brush, particularly adapted for medical use formed at the distal end of an elongated brush drive shaft having a hollow lumen formed therein for introduction over a guidewire. The brush drive shaft is enclosed in the lumen of an brush delivery catheter, and the brush bristles of the distal brush are adapted to be garaged in a distal end section of the brush delivery catheter lumen. A Y-connector and an brush sub-assembly connector are attached to the proximal end of the brush delivery catheter and form an brush sub-assembly with the brush drive shaft and brush. The Y-connector allows infusion of thrombolytic agents into the brush delivery catheter lumen for emission at the distal end opening thereof adjacent the brush. In use, the brush sub-assembly connector connects the brush sub-assembly with a drive motor unit connector of a drive motor unit. The drive motor unit receives the proximal end of the drive shaft and rotates it to rotate the brush bristles. The brush and brush drive shaft distal section are automatically extended out of the catheter lumen distal end opening when the sub-assembly connector and the drive motor unit connector positively lock together. Simultaneously, a drive hub of the brush drive shaft locks into a drive chuck of a drive motor unit to enable rotation of the drive shaft, and the proximal drive shaft end is seated in a dynamic seal that inhibits infiltration of blood and thrombolytic agent into the drive motor housing.

Claims

1. A motor and brush assembly preferably for use in a medical procedure at a site within a patient'"'"'s body comprising:

a brush sub-assembly comprising;

an elongated, flexible, rotatable brush drive shaft extending between a proximal drive shaft end and a distal drive shaft end and formed with a drive shaft lumen extending between drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings at the proximal and distal drive shaft ends;

a brush formed in a distal portion of the brush drive shaft;

a proximal drive member formed in a proximal portion of said brush drive shaft a brush sub-assembly connector comprising a brush sub-assembly connector;

an elongated, flexible, brush delivery catheter extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end and formed with a catheter lumen extending between proximal and distal catheter lumen end openings at the proximal and distal catheter ends, and

means for fitting a distal drive shaft section of said brush drive shaft within said catheter lumen and for extending said proximal drive member proximally of said proximal catheter lumen end opening for allowing rotation of said brush drive shaft with respect to said brush delivery catheter; and

a drive motor unit adapted to be coupled with said brush sub-assembly to effect rotation of said brush drive shaft further comprising;

a drive motor housing containing a drive motor lumen extending between drive motor lumen proximal and distal end openings in said drive motor housing, said drive motor lumen dimensioned to receive said proximal drive member;

drive means located within said drive motor housing for engaging said proximal drive member when it is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and into said drive motor lumen and for rotating said drive shaft; and

seal means located along said drive motor lumen adjacent to the proximal drive motor lumen end opening for engaging said proximal drive shaft end and operable to prevent infiltration of fluids at the site that backflow into the drive shaft lumen distal end opening when said distal drive shaft end is positioned at the site through the drive shaft lumen and out of the drive shaft lumen proximal end opening and into the drive motor housing, said drive means further comprising a drive motor unit connector for positively engaging said brush sub-assembly connector as said proximal drive member is inserted through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and said proximal drive shaft end is engaged by said seal means.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said drive shaft lumen is dimensioned to receive guidewires and other elongated medical devices; and

said drive motor lumen is dimensioned to receive said proximal drive member to locate said proximal drive shaft end in alignment with said proximal drive motor lumen end opening and within said seal means while keeping the drive shaft lumen proximal end open and accessible to allow insertion of guidewires and other medical devices therethrough and into said drive shaft lumen when said brush sub-assembly and said drive motor unit are coupled together.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said brush sub-assembly further comprises means for providing limited axial movement of said brush drive shaft with respect to said brush delivery catheter and said fitting means for allowing retraction of said drive shaft proximally a predetermined distance sufficient to retract said brush proximally into said brush delivery catheter to facilitate introduction and passage of the brush sub-assembly to the site in the patient'"'"'s body and for allowing extension of said drive shaft distally through the predetermined distance at the site when the proximal drive member is received and seated in the drive motor lumen.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the site in the patient'"'"'s body is a site of a soft obstruction of a blood vessel of the patient'"'"'s vascular system, and wherein:

said brush sub-assembly further comprises means for providing limited axial movement of said brush drive shaft with respect to said brush delivery catheter and said fitting means for allowing retraction of said drive shaft proximally a predetermined distance sufficient to retract said brush proximally into said brush delivery catheter to facilitate introduction and passage of the brush sub-assembly through a patient'"'"'s vascular system to the site of a soft obstruction and for allowing extension of said drive shaft distally through the predetermined distance at the site of the soft obstruction when the proximal drive member is received and seated in the drive motor lumen.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said drive motor lumen further comprises distal guide means operable when the proximal drive shaft end is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and advanced proximally for directing the insertion of the proximal drive shaft end into engagement with said sealing means.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an elongated guidewire having a proximal guidewire end and a distal guidewire end adapted to be inserted into the patient'"'"'s body to the site, and wherein;

said drive shaft lumen is dimensioned to receive said guidewire introduced through said drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings; and

said drive motor lumen further comprises distal guide means for enabling the proximal advancement of a guidewire proximal end extending proximally from said drive shaft lumen proximal end opening through said distal drive motor lumen end opening, said drive motor lumen, said sealing means and from said proximal drive motor lumen end opening to thereby locate said guidewire proximal end proximally to said drive motor unit before the proximal drive member is advanced through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and seated in said drive shaft lumen.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said distal guide means are further operable when the proximal drive shaft end is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and advanced proximally over the guidewire extending therethrough for directing the insertion of the proximal drive shaft end into engagement with said sealing means.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said distal guide means comprises a further funnel shaped guide located within said drive motor lumen distally to said seal means for directing said proximal guidewire end into said seal means during proximal advancement of said guidewire.

9. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said distal guide means comprises a further funnel shaped guide located within said drive motor lumen distally to said seal means for directing said proximal guidewire end into said seal means during proximal advancement of said guidewire.

10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an elongated medical device having a proximal device end and a distal device end, and wherein;

said drive shaft lumen is dimensioned to receive said elongated medical device introduced through said and drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings; and

said drive motor lumen further comprises proximal guide means for enabling the distal advancement of said distal device end through said proximal drive motor lumen end opening into said drive motor lumen and distally through said sealing means and from said distal drive motor lumen end opening to thereby locate said device distal end distally to said drive motor unit to enable advancement of the proximal drive member through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and over the elongated medical device extending through the drive motor lumen until the proximal drive member is seated in said drive shaft lumen.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said proximal guide means comprises a funnel shaped guide located at said proximal drive motor lumen end opening proximally to said seal means for directing said distal device end into said seal means during distal advancement of said elongated medical device.

12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said elongated medical device is a guidewire.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said fitting means of said brush sub-assembly further comprises means for introducing a diagnostic or therapeutic agent into said brush delivery catheter lumen for transmission through said catheter lumen alongside said distal drive shaft section within said catheter lumen and emission from said catheter lumen distal end opening.

14. A motor and brush assembly preferably for use in a medical procedure at a site within a patient'"'"'s body comprising:

an elongated guidewire having a proximal guidewire end and a distal guidewire end adapted to be inserted into the patient'"'"'s body to the site;

a brush sub-assembly comprising;

an elongated, flexible, rotatable brush drive shaft extending between a proximal drive shaft end and a distal drive shaft end and formed with a drive shaft lumen extending between drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings at the proximal and distal drive shaft ends, said drive shaft lumen dimensioned to receive said guidewire introduced through said drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings;

a brush formed in a distal portion of the brush drive shaft;

a proximal drive member formed in a proximal portion of said brush drive shaft comprising a brush sub-assembly connector;

an elongated, flexible, brush delivery catheter extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end and formed with a catheter lumen extending between proximal and distal catheter lumen end openings at the proximal and distal catheter ends, and

means for fitting a distal drive shaft section of said brush drive shaft within said catheter lumen and for extending said proximal drive member proximally of said proximal catheter lumen end opening for allowing rotation of said brush drive shaft with respect to said brush delivery catheter; and

a drive motor unit adapted to be coupled with said brush sub-assembly to effect rotation of said brush drive shaft further comprising;

a drive motor housing containing a drive motor lumen extending between drive motor lumen proximal and distal end openings in said drive motor housing, said drive motor lumen dimensioned to receive said proximal drive member;

drive means located within said drive motor housing for engaging said proximal drive member when it is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and into said drive motor lumen and for rotating said drive shaft; and

distal guide means for enabling the proximal advancement of said guidewire proximal end through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and said drive motor lumen and from said proximal drive motor lumen end opening to thereby locate said guidewire proximal end proximally to said drive motor unit before the proximal drive member is advanced over said guidewire through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and seated in said drive shaft lumen, said drive means further comprising a drive motor unit connector for positively engaging said brush sub-assembly connector as said proximal drive member is inserted through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and said proximal drive shaft end is engaged by said seal means.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said distal guide means are further operable when the proximal drive shaft end is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and advanced proximally over the guidewire extending therethrough for directing the insertion of the proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen.

16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said drive motor lumen further comprises proximal guide means for enabling the distal advancement of said guidewire distal end through said proximal drive motor lumen end opening and distally through said drive motor lumen and from said distal drive motor lumen end opening to thereby locate said guidewire distal end distally to said drive motor unit to enable advancement of the proximal drive member through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and over the guidewire extending through the drive motor lumen until the proximal drive member is seated in said drive shaft lumen.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said proximal guide means comprises a funnel shaped guide located at said proximal drive motor lumen end opening proximally to said seal means for directing said distal device end into said seal means during distal advancement of said elongated medical device.

18. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said distal guide means are further operable when the proximal drive shaft end is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and advanced proximally over the guidewire extending therethrough for directing the insertion of the proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen.

19. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said distal guide means comprises a further funnel shaped guide located within said drive motor lumen distally to said seal means for directing said proximal guidewire end into said seal means during proximal advancement of said guidewire.

20. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said fitting means of said brush sub-assembly further comprises means for introducing a diagnostic or therapeutic agent into said brush delivery catheter lumen for transmission through said catheter lumen alongside said distal drive shaft section within said catheter lumen and emission from said catheter lumen distal end opening.

21. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said distal guide means are further operable when the proximal drive shaft end is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and advanced proximally over the guidewire extending therethrough for directing the insertion of the proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen.

22. A motor and brush assembly preferably for use in a medical procedure at a site within a patient'"'"'s body comprising:

a brush sub-assembly comprising;

an elongated, flexible, rotatable brush drive shaft extending between a proximal drive shaft end and a distal drive shaft end;

a brush formed in a distal portion of the brush drive shaft;

a proximal drive member formed in a proximal portion of said brush drive shaft;

an elongated, flexible, brush delivery catheter extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end and formed with a catheter lumen extending between proximal and distal catheter lumen end openings at the proximal and distal catheter ends, and

means for fitting a distal drive shaft section of said brush drive shaft within said catheter lumen and for extending said proximal drive member proximally of said proximal catheter lumen end opening for allowing rotation of said brush drive shaft with respect to said brush delivery catheter; and

a drive motor unit adapted to be coupled with said brush sub-assembly to effect rotation of said brush drive shaft further comprising;

a drive motor housing containing a drive motor lumen extending between drive motor lumen proximal and distal end openings in said drive motor housing, said drive motor lumen dimensioned to receive said proximal drive member;

drive means located within said drive motor housing for engaging said proximal drive member when it is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and into said drive motor lumen and for rotating said drive shaft; and

distal guide means for enabling the proximal advancement of said proximal drive member through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and said drive motor lumen and from said proximal drive motor lumen end opening to thereby locate said proximal drive shaft end proximally to said drive motor unit when the proximal drive member is advanced through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and seated in said drive shaft lumen.

23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein said drive shaft is formed with a drive shaft lumen extending between drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings at the proximal and distal drive shaft ends, and said drive shaft lumen is dimensioned to receive an elongated medical device introduced through said drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings.

24. A motor and obstruction treatment device assembly preferably for use in a medical procedure at a site within a patient'"'"'s body comprising:

an obstruction treatment device sub-assembly comprising;

an elongated, flexible, rotatable obstruction treatment device drive shaft extending between a proximal drive shaft end and a distal drive shaft end and formed with a drive shaft lumen extending between drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings at the proximal and distal drive shaft ends;

an obstruction treatment device formed in a distal portion of the obstruction treatment device drive shaft;

a proximal drive member formed in a proximal portion of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft comprising an obstruction treatment sub-assembly connector;

an elongated, flexible, obstruction treatment device delivery catheter extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end and formed with a catheter lumen extending between proximal and distal catheter lumen end openings at the proximal and distal catheter ends, and

means for fitting a distal drive shaft section of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft within said catheter lumen and for extending said proximal drive member proximally of said proximal catheter lumen end opening for allowing rotation of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft with respect to said obstruction treatment device delivery catheter; and

a drive motor unit adapted to be coupled with said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly to effect rotation of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft further comprising;

a drive motor housing containing a drive motor lumen extending between drive motor lumen proximal and distal end openings in said drive motor housing, said drive motor lumen dimensioned to receive said proximal drive member;

drive means located within said drive motor housing for engaging said proximal drive member when it is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and into said drive motor lumen and for rotating said drive shaft; and

seal means located along said drive motor lumen adjacent to the proximal drive motor lumen end opening for engaging said proximal drive shaft end and operable to prevent infiltration of fluids at the site that backflow into the drive shaft lumen distal end opening when said distal drive shaft end is positioned at the site through the drive shaft lumen and out of the drive shaft lumen proximal end opening and into the drive motor housing, said drive means further comprising a drive motor unit connector for positively engaging said obstruction treatment sub-assembly connector as said proximal drive member is inserted through said drive motor lumen distal end openings and said proximal drive shaft end is engaged by said seal means.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein:

said drive shaft lumen is dimensioned to receive guidewires and other elongated medical devices; and

said drive motor lumen is dimensioned to receive said proximal drive member to locate said proximal drive shaft end in alignment with said proximal drive motor lumen end opening and within said seal means while keeping the drive shaft lumen proximal end open and accessible to allow insertion of guidewires and other medical devices therethrough and into said drive shaft lumen when said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly and said drive motor unit are coupled together.

26. The assembly of claim 24, wherein said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly further comprises means for providing limited axial movement of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft with respect to said obstruction treatment device delivery catheter and said fitting means for allowing retraction of said drive shaft proximally a predetermined distance sufficient to retract said obstruction treatment device proximally into said obstruction treatment device delivery catheter to facilitate introduction and passage of the obstruction treatment device sub-assembly to the site in the patient'"'"'s body and for allowing extension of said drive shaft distally through the predetermined distance at the site when the proximal drive member is received and seated in the drive motor lumen.

27. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the site in the patient'"'"'s body is a site of a soft obstruction of a blood vessel of the patient'"'"'s vascular system, and wherein:

said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly further comprises means for providing limited axial movement of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft with respect to said obstruction treatment device delivery catheter and said fitting means for allowing retraction of said drive shaft proximally a predetermined distance sufficient to retract said obstruction treatment device proximally into said obstruction treatment device delivery catheter to facilitate introduction and passage of the obstruction treatment device sub-assembly through a patient'"'"'s vascular system to the site of a soft obstruction and for allowing extension of said drive shaft distally through the predetermined distance at the site of the soft obstruction when the proximal drive member is received and seated in the drive motor lumen.

28. The assembly of claim 24, wherein said drive motor lumen further comprises distal guide means operable when the proximal drive shaft end is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and advanced proximally for directing the insertion of the proximal drive shaft end into engagement with said sealing means.

29. The assembly of claim 24, further comprising:

an elongated guidewire having a proximal guidewire end and a distal guidewire end adapted to be inserted into the patient'"'"'s body to the site, and wherein;

said drive shaft lumen is dimensioned to receive said guidewire introduced through said drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings; and

said drive motor lumen further comprises distal guide means for enabling the proximal advancement of a guidewire proximal end extending proximally from said drive shaft lumen proximal end opening through said distal drive motor lumen end opening, said drive motor lumen, said sealing means and from said proximal drive motor lumen end opening to thereby locate said guidewire proximal end proximally to said drive motor unit before the proximal drive member is advanced through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and seated in said drive shaft lumen.

30. The assembly of claim 29, wherein said distal guide means are further operable when the proximal drive shaft end is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and advanced proximally over the guidewire extending therethrough for directing the insertion of the proximal drive shaft end into engagement with said sealing means.

31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein said distal guide means comprises a further funnel shaped guide located within said drive motor lumen distally to said seal means for directing said proximal guidewire end into said seal means during proximal advancement of said guidewire.

32. The assembly of claim 29, wherein said distal guide means comprises a further funnel shaped guide located within said drive motor lumen distally to said seal means for directing said proximal guidewire end into said seal means during proximal advancement of said guidewire.

33. The assembly of claim 24, further comprising:

an elongated medical device having a proximal device end and a distal device end, and wherein;

said drive shaft lumen is dimensioned to receive said elongated medical device introduced through said and drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings; and

said drive motor lumen further comprises proximal guide means for enabling the distal advancement of said distal device end through said proximal drive motor lumen end opening into said drive motor lumen and distally through said sealing means and from said distal drive motor lumen end opening to thereby locate said device distal end distally to said drive motor unit to enable advancement of the proximal drive member through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and over the elongated medical device extending through the drive motor lumen until the proximal drive member is seated in said drive shaft lumen.

34. The assembly of claim 33, wherein said proximal guide means comprises a funnel shaped guide located at said proximal drive motor lumen end opening proximally to said seal means for directing said distal device end into said seal means during distal advancement of said elongated medical device.

35. The assembly of claim 33, wherein said elongated medical device is a guidewire.

36. The assembly of claim 24, wherein said fitting means of said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly further comprises means for introducing a diagnostic or therapeutic agent into said obstruction treatment device delivery catheter lumen for transmission through said catheter lumen alongside said distal drive shaft section within said catheter lumen and emission from said catheter lumen distal end opening.

37. A motor and obstruction treatment device assembly preferably for use in a medical procedure at a site within a patient'"'"'s body comprising:

an elongated guidewire having a proximal guidewire end and a distal guidewire end adapted to be inserted into the patient'"'"'s body to the site;

an obstruction treatment device sub-assembly comprising;

an elongated, flexible, rotatable obstruction treatment device drive shaft extending between a proximal drive shaft end and a distal drive shaft end and formed with a drive shaft lumen extending between drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings at the proximal and distal drive shaft ends, said drive shaft lumen dimensioned to receive said guidewire introduced through said drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings;

an obstruction treatment device formed in a distal portion of the obstruction treatment device drive shaft;

a proximal drive member formed in a proximal portion of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft comprising an obstruction treatment sub-assembly connector;

an elongated, flexible, obstruction treatment device delivery catheter extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end and formed with a catheter lumen extending between proximal and distal catheter lumen end openings at the proximal and distal catheter ends, and

means for fitting a distal drive shaft section of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft within said catheter lumen and for extending said proximal drive member proximally of said proximal catheter lumen end opening for allowing rotation of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft with respect to said obstruction treatment device delivery catheter; and

a drive motor unit adapted to be coupled with said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly to effect rotation of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft further comprising;

a drive motor housing containing a drive motor lumen extending between drive motor lumen proximal and distal end openings in said drive motor housing, said drive motor lumen dimensioned to receive said proximal drive member;

drive means located within said drive motor housing for engaging said proximal drive member when it is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and into said drive motor lumen and for rotating said drive shaft; and

distal guide means for enabling the proximal advancement of said guidewire proximal end through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and said drive motor lumen and from said proximal drive motor lumen end opening to thereby locate said guidewire proximal end proximally to said drive motor unit before the proximal drive member is advanced over said guidewire through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and seated in said drive shaft lumen, said drive means further comprising a drive motor unit connector for positively engaging said obstruction treatment sub-assembly connector as said proximal drive member is inserted through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and said proximal drive shaft end is engaged by said seal means.

38. The assembly of claim 37, wherein said drive motor lumen further comprises proximal guide means for enabling the distal advancement of said guidewire distal end through said proximal drive motor lumen end opening and distally through said drive motor lumen and from said distal drive motor lumen end opening to thereby locate said guidewire distal end distally to said drive motor unit to enable advancement of the proximal drive member through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and over the guidewire extending through the drive motor lumen until the proximal drive member is seated in said drive shaft lumen.

39. The assembly of claim 38, wherein said proximal guide means comprises a funnel shaped guide located at said proximal drive motor lumen end opening proximally to said seal means for directing said distal device end into said seal means during distal advancement of said elongated medical device.

40. The assembly of claim 37, wherein said distal guide means are further operable when the proximal drive shaft end is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and advanced proximally over the guidewire extending therethrough for directing the insertion of the proximal drive shaft end through said drive motor lumen.

41. The assembly of claim 37, wherein said distal guide means comprises a further funnel shaped guide located within said drive motor lumen distally to said seal means for directing said proximal guidewire end into said seal means during proximal advancement of said guidewire.

42. A motor and obstruction treatment device assembly preferably for use in a medical procedure at a site within a patient'"'"'s body comprising:

an obstruction treatment device sub-assembly comprising;

an elongated, flexible, rotatable obstruction treatment device drive shaft extending between a proximal drive shaft end and a distal drive shaft end;

an obstruction treatment device formed in a distal portion of the obstruction treatment device drive shaft;

a proximal drive member formed in a proximal portion of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft comprising an obstruction treatment sub-assembly connector;

an elongated, flexible, obstruction treatment device delivery catheter extending between a proximal catheter end and a distal catheter end and formed with a catheter lumen extending between proximal and distal catheter lumen end openings at the proximal and distal catheter ends, and

means for fitting a distal drive shaft section of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft within said catheter lumen and for extending said proximal drive member proximally of said proximal catheter lumen end opening for allowing rotation of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft with respect to said obstruction treatment device delivery catheter; and

a drive motor unit adapted to be coupled with said obstruction treatment device sub-assembly to effect rotation of said obstruction treatment device drive shaft further comprising;

a drive motor housing containing a drive motor lumen extending between drive motor lumen proximal and distal end openings in said drive motor housing, said drive motor lumen dimensioned to receive said proximal drive member;

drive means located within said drive motor housing for engaging said proximal drive member when it is inserted through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and into said drive motor lumen and for rotating said drive shaft; and

distal guide means for enabling the proximal advancement of said proximal drive member through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and said drive motor lumen and from said proximal drive motor lumen end opening to thereby locate said proximal drive shaft end proximally to said drive motor unit when the proximal drive member is advanced through said distal drive motor lumen end opening and seated in said drive shaft lumen, said drive means further comprising a drive motor unit connector for positively engaging said obstruction treatment sub-assembly connector as said proximal drive member is inserted through said drive motor lumen distal end opening and said proximal drive shaft end is engaged by said seal means.

43. The assembly of claim 42, wherein said drive shaft is formed with a drive shaft lumen extending between drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings at the proximal and distal drive shaft ends, and said drive shaft lumen is dimensioned to receive an elongated medical device introduced through said drive shaft lumen proximal and distal end openings.