Atherectomy catheter having axially-disposed cutting edge

Year	Description
1990	Invention patented by Enrique J. Klein, Mark E. Plaia, James R. Kermode, Donald S. Baim, and Richard P. Mueller on October 24th, 1990. Abstract: Atherectomy catheters are described having a cylindrical cutting head rotatably mounted at the distal end of a catheter body. The head has an axially elongated aperture and an open interior. A severing means is disposed adjacent the elongated aperture such that atheromatous material invaginated by the head is severed and diverted into the interior of the head. A preferred embodiment has the elongated aperture helically-disposed about the central axis of the cylindrical head and a cutting means formed integrally along the periphery of the aperture. Another preferred embodiment has the cylindrical head provided with a tapered distal end that extends distally from a housing for the head and incorporates an extension of the elongated aperture.
Source: selected by the editor from original sources.

Invention: Atherectomy catheter having axially-disposed cutting edge