Abstract: The invention relates to an RF-activated guidewire to electrosurgically pass through occlusive material to allow the use of other vescular therapeutic devices to traverse the guidewire through the occlusive material. More particularly, the invention relates to a catheter system for penetrating occulsive tissue in an arterial lumen, comprising:a substantially tubular sheath means;an electrically conductive guidewire, said guidewire having an electrosurgical tip and passing through said sheath means; anda voltage generating means electrically connected to said electrically conductive guidewire to activate said electrosurgical tip.

Abstract: The present invention is a clinically practical, rotational angioplasty system which employs a unique rotary ablative device for mechanically abrading, and thereby removing, lesions from within a patient's vessels. The device has a gas driven prime mover connected, via a hollow helical drive assembly, to an ellipsoidal, rotating, ablative burr which is used for the actual recanalization of the patient's vessel. The burr is provided with a central opening therethrough, which, together with the hollow drive assembly, permits the burr and drive assembly to be threaded over a guide wire similar to the type conventionally used in a catheterization procedure. The drive assembly is located within a hollow sheath which prevents the rotating drive assembly from contacting the inner walls of a patient's vessel.

Abstract: An abrasive tipped rotating cutting tool for use in removing abnormal deposits within a patient's vessels is described. The tip is preferably covered with a material such as diamond grit, and rotated at high speed to pulverize any abnormal deposits contained within the vessel.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tip is ellipsoidal in shape, and the coarseness of the abrasive material on the tip is varied from most coarse adjacent the distal end of the tip to finest adjacent the portion of the tip which has the widest diameter. Preferably, there is no abrasive on the widest part of the tip in order to prevent the tip from injuring a patient's vessel in the event that the tip is allowed to remain in one place for an extended period of time. In addition, there may be radial openings formed in the tip which permit water to be pumped therethrough in order to act as a lubricant for assisting in the cutting action of the tip.

Abstract: The pin vise is usable in connection with guidewire of the type used in medical applications, i.e., for guiding catheters. The pin vise is constructed from two parts which are assembled together to provide a handle over a guidewire.