Atherectomy devices and methods

Abstract

The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 567,715, entitled “Atherectomy Devices and Methods” filed Dec. 6, 2006 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 551,191 entitled “Atherectomy Devices and Methods” filed Oct. 19, 2006 which is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 806,417 entitled “Atherectomy Device” filed Jun. 30, 2006 and is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 820,475 entitled “Atherectomy Device” filed Jul. 26, 2006, the entirety of each of which are hereby incorporated reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The devices and methods described below generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens. [0004] 2. Description of the Background Art [0005]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0030] The methods may include the use of any of the devices or features of the devices described herein. In one variation, the methods include circulating fluid for contrast to better visualize the obstruction.

Problems solved by technology

Often plaque is friable and may dislodge naturally or during an endovascular procedure, leading to embolization of a downstream vessel.

Balloon angioplasty is known to cause barotrauma to the vessel from the high pressures required to compress the plaque.

This trauma leads to an unacceptably high rate of restenosis.

Further, this procedure may not be efficient for treatment of elastic-type plaque tissue, where such tissue can spring back to occlude the lumen.

On their own, stents fail to perform well in the peripheral vasculature for a variety of reasons.

A stent with the necessary structural integrity to supply sufficient radial force to reopen the artery often does not perform well in the harsh mechanical environment of the peripheral vasculature.

Such an environment may lead to stent failure (strut cracking, stent crushing, etc.) that eventually compromises the ability of the stent to maintain lumen diameter over the long-term.

On the other hand, a stent that is able to withstand the harsh mechanical aspects of the periphery often will not supply enough radial force to open the vessel satisfactorily.

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