Methods and devices for rotating an active element and an energy emitter on a catheter

Abstract

A tissue cutting device includes a sizing element which detects the diameter of the vessel in which the cutting device is positioned. The sizing element is coupled to the cutting element so that the amount of the cutting element that is exposed varies in response to movement of the sizing element.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled Methods and Devices for Cutting Tissue at a Vascular Location, filed ______ by Mike Rosenthal (Atty Docket No. 018489-002543US) which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is directed to devices and methods for cutting tissue. In a specific application, the present invention is directed to devices and methods for re-entering the true lumen from a subintimal space such as a dissection plane or so-called “false lumen.”[0003]Guidewires and other interventional devices are used to treat vessels and organs using endovascular approaches. A guidewire is typically guided through blood vessels to the treatment site and the device is then advanced over the guidewire. For example, angioplasty and stenting are generally accomplished by first introducing a guidewire to the desired site and then advancing ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In another aspect of the present invention, the device has a rotatable cutting element which may be moved from a stored position to a cutting position which exposes over 180 degrees, and even 220 or even 270 degrees of the cutting element relative to the axis of rotation. In another aspect of the invention, the cutter may be gradually exposed as necessary. In still another aspect of the present invention, the body of device may be wider along a portion of the device to urge tissue toward the cutting element. The opening is relatively large and may be open at the distal end and may expose at least part of the cutter at all positions distal to the opening. The open end of the device permits the tissue to naturally move toward the cutter due to the generally open nature of the distal end.

[0011]In another aspect of the present invention, a catheter is provided which has a rotating active element and a rotating energy emitter. The active element is mounted to a shaft which has a lumen. The energy emitter is mounted to another shaft which extends through the lumen in the shaft of the active element. The energy emitting element and the active element may both be coupled to and driven by a single rotating driver. Although both rotating elements may be driven by the same driver, the elements may rotate independently which may provide advantages over devices which couple the energy emitter and cutting element (or other active element) together. A problem with devices which couple the energy emitter to another rotating element, such as a cutting element, is that rotation of the energy emitting element may be disrupted by resistance met by the cutting element during rotation. Disruption in rotation of the energy emitting element can negatively impact the ability to gather useful information from the energy received.

Problems solved by technology

Once in a sub-intimal space, it can be difficult to re-enter the vessel true lumen.

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