Abstract: A debulking catheter comprising a tissue debulking assembly for removing material from a body lumen. Catheters of the present invention generally include a catheter body having proximal and distal portions and a tissue debulking assembly disposed at least partially within the distal portion. The tissue debulking assembly is radially movable to expose at least a portion of the assembly through a window on the catheter body to contact material in the body lumen. The catheter may then be moved to allow the tissue debulking assembly to remove all or a portion of the material. In exemplary embodiments, the distal portion of the catheter body is rotatably coupled to the proximal portion such that rotation or deflection of the distal portion, relative to the proximal portion, urges the window against material in the body lumen, exposes the tissue debulking assembly through the window, or both.

Abstract: A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and kits for removing material from a body lumen. The devices and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary arteries and other blood vessels. In general, the device or catheter has a scoop-shaped cutting blade mounted on a catheter body for removing material from a body lumen. The cutting blade has a cutting edge that travels a curved path about a pivot point of the blade, preferably moving in an outward direction from the catheter body to engage the target material for removal. The scoop-shaped blade has a collection surface located behind the cutting edge to collect material removed from said body lumen. Advantageously, a scoop-shaped cutting blade according to the present invention facilitates material engagement and the collection surface may be used to bring material back into the catheter body as the blade begins to part-off material.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and kits for removing material from a body lumen. The devices and methods may be used in a variety of body lumens, including but not limited to coronary arteries and other blood vessels. In general, the device or catheter has a scoop-shaped cutting blade mounted on a catheter body for removing material from a body lumen. The cutting blade has a cutting edge that travels a curved path about a pivot point of the blade, preferably moving in an outward direction from the catheter body to engage the target material for removal. The scoop-shaped blade has a collection surface located behind the cutting edge to collect material removed from said body lumen. Advantageously, a scoop-shaped cutting blade according to the present invention facilitates material engagement and the collection surface may be used to bring material back into the catheter body as the blade begins to part-off material.

Abstract: A debulking catheter comprising a debulking assembly for debulking a body lumen. The catheters of the present invention can include a flexible proximal portion coupled to a rigid distal portion. A tissue debulking assembly can be disposed within the rigid portion to debulk the body lumen. In exemplary embodiments, the rigid portion is rotatably coupled to the flexible portion such that rotation or deflection of the rigid portion, relative to the flexible portion, can expose the tissue debulking assembly through a window in the catheter to debulk the body lumen.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter is provided for excising and imaging material in a body lumen. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a catheter body, a cutting blade, and an imaging device. The cutting blade is mounted on the catheter body and configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to an aperture or cutting window. When the cutting blade is in the second position, the blade substantially closes the aperture on the catheter body. The imaging device which is mounted on or otherwise coupled to the cutting blade is configured to be in an imaging position when the cutting blade substantially closes the aperture or cutter window. This allows the imaging device to survey material within the cutting zone of the atherectomy catheter. By allowing the imaging device to view materials within this cutting zone, material may be imaged and then removed from the body lumen without having to reposition the catheter between each step.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter is provided for excising and imaging material in a body lumen. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises a catheter body, a cutting blade, and an imaging device. The cutting blade is mounted on the catheter body and configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to an aperture or cutting window. When the cutting blade is in the second position, the blade substantially closes the aperture on the catheter body. The imaging device which is mounted on or otherwise coupled to the cutting blade is configured to be in an imaging position when the cutting blade substantially closes the aperture or cutter window. This allows the imaging device to survey material within the cutting zone of the atherectomy catheter. By allowing the imaging device to view materials within this cutting zone, material may be imaged and then removed from the body lumen without having to reposition the catheter between each step.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying a guidewire across a complex lesion in a vessel formed by a wall and normally having a lumen extending therethrough including an elongate flexible catheter having proximal and distal extremities and having a plurality of separate spaced apart lumens therein extending from the proximal extremity into a location at least adjacent the distal extremity. A handle is mounted on the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate catheter. A flexible elongate sheath is mounted on the catheter and has a proximal portion, a transition portion and a distal portion with the transition portion being in the vicinity of the distal extremity of the catheter. The sheath has a lumen therein extending from the proximal portion through the transition portion and through the distal portion. First and second devices are slidably mounted in the spaced-apart lumens of said catheter.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter includes a catheter body having a blade assembly at its distal end. The blade assembly includes first blade and a second blade, where each blade has an opposed cutting edge. At least one of the cutting edges will have a penetrating point formed thereon. Preferably, both edges will have at least one aligned cutting point, more preferably at least two or more aligned cutting points. When the blades are actuated to shear tissue therebetween, the cutting points act to penetrate and capture the material to be sheared.