Improved atherectomy device

Abstract

An atherectomy device comprising a rotatabry motor- driven flexible hollow shaft that is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the guidewire; an annular distal end of the hollow shaft having a diameter that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the guidewire and configured with cutting surfaces for piercing hardened atherosclerotic plaque! a tubular sleeve secured to a first peripheral surface of the hollow shaft and configured with cutting surfaces for enlarging an opening formed in the plaque; and an asymmetric cutting unit extending between the sleeve and a second peripheral surface of the hollow shaft, to enable eccentric rotation of the hollow shaft for cutting and removing additional occlusive material from the blood vessel to open a chronic total occlusion. In one embodiment, the cutting unit is a helical strand unit having a polygonal cross section with a first side that atraumatically contacts a blood vessel wall.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of rotational atherectomy devices for the removal of accumulated plaque and thrombus on the walls of blood vessels. More specifically, the present invention relates to an atherectomy device capable of opening long term total occlusions. Background technique

[0002] Several rotational atherectomy devices are known in the prior art for the removal of accumulated plaque and thrombus from blood vessel walls. The softer, cholesterol-rich atheroma material often hardens into calcified atherosclerotic plaques that restrict blood flow.

[0003] There are several ways to create a tunnel through a blocked blood vessel. Initially, a guide wire was used to probe a passage through the vascular blockage in order to reach the unobstructed portion of the vessel downstream. After the guidewire passes through the blockage, the physician manually guides the catheter through the introducer sheath and over the guidewire to the...

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