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Abstract

A catheter atherotome and method for its use for performing partial atherectomy in an artery and thereby enlarging the lumen effectively available for blood flow through the artery. An expansible cutter head at the distal end of a catheter includes several elongate flexible members mounted in a parallel array and spaced angularly apart from one another about the associated ends of two concentric members of the catheter in such a way that longitudinal and rotary relative movement of the members of the catheter selectively either bows the flexible members arcuately outwardly into a cutting position or draws them into alignment parallel with the catheter. A sharpened edge of a blade carried on at least one flexible member extends circumferentially and is directed toward the catheter's proximal end when the flexible members are bowed. Partial removal of an atheroma is effected by manually pulling the cutter head past an atheroma with the sharpened edge exposed, with the speed, force, and amount of expansion of the cutter head determined by the operator. Removal of cut-away pieces of atherosclerotic plaque material is accomplished either by pull-back of a balloon-tipped catheter or by use of a membrane enshrouding the cutter head to trap the shavings.

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First Claim