Abstract: Catheters and methods for removing material from (or “debulking”) a body lumen while imaging the region comprised of the material are provided. The catheters can be used in body lumens, including but not limited to intravascular lumens such as coronary or peripheral arteries. The catheters include housings or other structures to mount or protect an imaging transducer. Generally, debulking catheters include a proximal portion, a distal portion having an opening, a cutting element which may be exposed through the opening to contact material in a body lumen and an imaging transducer with associated circuitry and display. The catheter debulks a body lumen when it is moved while the cutting element is in contact with the material in the lumen and the region comprised of the material is imaged before, after, or during catheter movement.

Abstract: Catheters and methods for removing material from (or “debulking”) a body lumen while imaging the region comprised of the material are provided. The catheters can be used in body lumens, including but not limited to intravascular lumens such as coronary or peripheral arteries. The catheters include housings or other structures to mount or protect an imaging transducer. Generally, debulking catheters include a proximal portion, a distal portion having an opening, a cutting element which may be exposed through the opening to contact material in a body lumen and an imaging transducer with associated circuitry and display. The catheter debulks a body lumen when it is moved while the cutting element is in contact with the material in the lumen and the region comprised of the material is imaged before, after, or during catheter movement.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter having an inner drive shaft which rotates a distal rotary tissue borer with a helical cutting surface which enables the catheter to cut through and cross a CTO. Additionally, the atherectomy catheter has a distal cutting element rotated by an outer drive shaft configured to cut material from the wall of a vessel at a treatment site as the catheter is pushed distally through the treatment site. The atherectomy catheter includes a collection chamber positioned proximally of the cutting element and rotary tissue borer. The atherectomy catheter may include means to direct material cut from the treatment site into the collection chamber, means to break down larger portions of material that may block or clog the collection chamber and means of transporting the material collected from the treatment site to a proximal opening in the atherectomy catheter.

Abstract: Catheters and methods for removing material from (or “debulking”) a body lumen while imaging the region comprised of the material are provided. The catheters can be used in body lumens, including but not limited to intravascular lumens such as coronary or peripheral arteries. The catheters include housings or other structures to mount or protect an imaging transducer. Generally, debulking catheters include a proximal portion, a distal portion having an opening, a cutting element which may be exposed through the opening to contact material in a body lumen and an imaging transducer with associated circuitry and display. The catheter debulks a body lumen when it is moved while the cutting element is in contact with the material in the lumen and the region comprised of the material is imaged before, after, or during catheter movement.

Abstract: Catheters and methods for removing material from (or “debulking”) a body lumen while imaging the region comprised of the material are provided. The catheters can be used in body lumens, including but not limited to intravascular lumens such as coronary or peripheral arteries. The catheters include housings or other structures to mount or protect an imaging transducer. Generally, debulking catheters include a proximal portion, a distal portion having an opening, a cutting element which may be exposed through the opening to contact material in a body lumen and an imaging transducer with associated circuitry and display. The catheter debulks a body lumen when it is moved while the cutting element is in contact with the material in the lumen and the region comprised of the material is imaged before, after, or during catheter movement.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter having an inner drive shaft which rotates a distal rotary tissue borer with a helical cutting surface which enables the catheter to cut through and cross a CTO. Additionally, the atherectomy catheter has a distal cutting element rotated by an outer drive shaft configured to cut material from the wall of a vessel at a treatment site as the catheter is pushed distally through the treatment site. The atherectomy catheter includes a collection chamber positioned proximally of the cutting element and rotary tissue borer. The atherectomy catheter may include means to direct material cut from the treatment site into the collection chamber, means to break down larger portions of material that may block or clog the collection chamber and means of transporting the material collected from the treatment site to a proximal opening in the atherectomy catheter.