Importance

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Abstract

A rotational atherectomy device having directional control for selectively removing tissue from an artery (or other bodily passageway or cavity). The atherectomy device includes a rotational atherectomy apparatus having a flexible, elongated drive shaft disposed in the lumen of a catheter. A central portion of an intermediate segment of the drive shaft is coated with an abrasive material to define an abrasive segment of the drive shaft. The drive shaft has a central lumen for receipt of a guide wire therein, and around which the drive shaft may be rotated. The guide wire has an intermediate portion with a predetermined curved positioning portion such that when the abrasive segment of the drive shaft is located along the curved positioning portion of the guide wire, such curved positioning portion of the guide wire urges the abrasive segment of the drive shaft laterally. The catheter has an elongated aperture in its side wall, the aperture having a width permitting the abrasive segment of the drive shaft to extend through it so that when the abrasive segment of the drive shaft and the curved positioning portion of the guide wire are both aligned with the aperture, then the curved positioning portion of the guide wire urges the abrasive segment of the drive shaft laterally out through the catheter aperture to engage tissue to be removed from the bodily passageway or cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter includes two lumens, one for a conventional guide wire and the other for a separate positioning wire having the predetermined curved positioning portion for laterally positioning the abrasive segment of the drive shaft.

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First Claim