Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutting element. A radially innermost portion of the leading radial wall of a raised element of the cutting element may be spaced a radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than 66% of the radius of the annular cutting edge. The cutting element may be extendable through the window during operation such that as the cutting element is being rotated about its longitudinal axis, less than an entire radial portion of the leading radial wall passes through the window. A plurality of abrading members may be formed on at least the central portion of the inner surface of the cutting element to abrade hardened tissue as the cutting element is rotating about its longitudinal axis. A radially outermost portion of the leading radial edge of the raised element may be spaced apart radially from an inner surface of the cutting element.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a tissue-removing element operably connected to a drive shaft for rotation of the tissue-removing element about an axis of rotation in a cutting direction. The tissue-removing element is, in some embodiments, an integrally formed one-piece body. The tissue-removing element has a tissue-removing head that includes a plurality of shearing members spaced apart around the axis of rotation. Channels separate the plurality of shearing members and extend through the radially outer surface of the tissue-removing head. In some embodiments, the shearing members include respective wedge portions that hook and cleave tissue as the tissue-removing element rotates.

Abstract: A catheter for removing tissue from a body lumen include's a rotatable cutter. The cutter includes an annular cutting tip at the distal end portion of the cutter for removing tissue from the body lumen. An axial cavity is defined by an interior surface of the cutter and extends proximally from the annular cutting tip toward the proximal end portion of the cutter. An eccentric opening extends from the central cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting tip to pass proximally through the eccentric opening toward an interior passage of the catheter body. The offset opening is offset from the longitudinal axis of the cutter.

Abstract: A deployment mechanism of a tissue-removing catheter includes a socket member received in a catheter body that is capable of moving longitudinally therein, and a ball member extending distally from the distal end portion of the cutting element and operatively connected to the socket member. The ball member is constrained axially relative to the socket member and is capable of pivoting relative to the socket member for allowing pivoting of the cutting element relative to the socket when the cutting element is moved from a retracted position to a cutting position.

Abstract: A rotatable cutter for a tissue-removing catheter includes a central hub, flutes spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the central hub, and arcuate cutting members. Each cutting member includes an arcuate cutting edge extending along an arc length of the cutting member for cutting tissue as the cutter is rotated. A raised element of each cutting member has a leading cutting edge at a leading end of the distal cutting member for cutting tissue as the cutter is rotated. A clearance portion of each cutting member is recessed, relative to the longitudinal axis of the cutter, from the raised element and extends from the raised element to a trailing end of the cutting member to provide clearance for the leading cutting edge of an adjacent and opposing distal cutting member.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a sensor configured to detect a parameter of the catheter during the cutting operation of the catheter when a tissue-removing element is in a tissue-removing position. A locking control circuit is in electrical communication with the sensor and a locking device. During an operational control function, the locking control circuit receives a signal from the sensor based at least in part on the parameter of the catheter detected during the cutting operation of the catheter. The locking control circuit determines whether the received signal is indicative of a tissue-removing element engaging a non-tissue obstruction. The locking control circuit configures the locking device in its locked configuration to inhibit movement of the tissue-removing element from its tissue-removing position to its neutral position if the received signal is indicative of the tissue-removing element engaging a non-tissue obstruction.

Abstract: A catheter includes a tissue-removing element and a tissue-containment chamber configured to receive tissue removed by the tissue-removing element. The tissue-containment chamber has a tissue-removing opening for use in removing tissue from the chamber. A closure component is associated with the tissue-removing opening for selectively opening and closing the opening.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutting element. A radially innermost portion of the leading radial wall of a raised element of the cutting element may be spaced a radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than 66% of the radius of the annular cutting edge. The cutting element may be extendable through the window during operation such that as the cutting element is being rotated about its longitudinal axis, less than an entire radial portion of the leading radial wall passes through the window. A plurality of abrading members may be formed on at least the central portion of the inner surface of the cutting element to abrade hardened tissue as the cutting element is rotating about its longitudinal axis. A radially outermost portion of the leading radial edge of the raised element may be spaced apart radially from an inner surface of the cutting element.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutting element. A radially innermost portion of the leading radial wall of a raised element of the cutting element may be spaced a radial distance from the longitudinal axis that is less than 66% of the radius of the annular cutting edge. The cutting element may be extendable through the window during operation such that as the cutting element is being rotated about its longitudinal axis, less than an entire radial portion of the leading radial wall passes through the window. A plurality of abrading members may be formed on at least the central portion of the inner surface of the cutting element to abrade hardened tissue as the cutting element is rotating about its longitudinal axis. A radially outermost portion of the leading radial edge of the raised element may be spaced apart radially from an inner surface of the cutting element.

Abstract: A deployment mechanism of a tissue-removing catheter includes a socket member received in a catheter body that is capable of moving longitudinally therein, and a ball member extending distally from the distal end portion of the cutting element and operatively connected to the socket member. The ball member is constrained axially relative to the socket member and is capable of pivoting relative to the socket member for allowing pivoting of the cutting element relative to the socket when the cutting element is moved from a retracted position to a cutting position.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a sensor configured to detect a parameter of the catheter during the cutting operation of the catheter when a tissue-removing element is in a tissue-removing position. A locking control circuit is in electrical communication with the sensor and a locking device. During an operational control function, the locking control circuit receives a signal from the sensor based at least in part on the parameter of the catheter detected during the cutting operation of the catheter. The locking control circuit determines whether the received signal is indicative of a tissue-removing element engaging a non-tissue obstruction. The locking control circuit configures the locking device in its locked configuration to inhibit movement of the tissue-removing element from its tissue-removing position to its neutral position if the received signal is indicative of the tissue-removing element engaging a non-tissue obstruction.

Abstract: A deployment mechanism of a tissue-removing catheter includes a socket member received in a catheter body that is capable of moving longitudinally therein, and a ball member extending distally from the distal end portion of the cutting element and operatively connected to the socket member. The ball member is constrained axially relative to the socket member and is capable of pivoting relative to the socket member for allowing pivoting of the cutting element relative to the socket when the cutting element is moved from a retracted position to a cutting position.

Abstract: A rotatable cutter for a tissue-removing catheter includes a central hub, flutes spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the central hub, and arcuate cutting members. Each cutting member includes an arcuate cutting edge extending along an arc length of the cutting member for cutting tissue as the cutter is rotated. A raised element of each cutting member has a leading cutting edge at a leading end of the distal cutting member for cutting tissue as the cutter is rotated. A clearance portion of each cutting member is recessed, relative to the longitudinal axis of the cutter, from the raised element and extends from the raised element to a trailing end of the cutting member to provide clearance for the leading cutting edge of an adjacent and opposing distal cutting member.

Abstract: A catheter for removing tissue from a body lumen include's a rotatable cutter. The cutter includes an annular cutting tip at the distal end portion of the cutter for removing tissue from the body lumen. An axial cavity is defined by an interior surface of the cutter and extends proximally from the annular cutting tip toward the proximal end portion of the cutter. An eccentric opening extends from the central cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting tip to pass proximally through the eccentric opening toward an interior passage of the catheter body. The offset opening is offset from the longitudinal axis of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a sensor configured to detect a parameter of the catheter during the cutting operation of the catheter when a tissue-removing element is in a tissue-removing position. A locking control circuit is in electrical communication with the sensor and a locking device. During an operational control function, the locking control circuit receives a signal from the sensor based at least in part on the parameter of the catheter detected during the cutting operation of the catheter. The locking control circuit determines whether the received signal is indicative of a tissue-removing element engaging a non-tissue obstruction. The locking control circuit configures the locking device in its locked configuration to inhibit movement of the tissue-removing element from its tissue-removing position to its neutral position if the received signal is indicative of the tissue-removing element engaging a non-tissue obstruction.

Abstract: A catheter includes a tissue-removing element and a tissue-containment chamber configured to receive tissue removed by the tissue-removing element. The tissue-containment chamber has a tissue-removing opening for use in removing tissue from the chamber. A closure component is associated with the tissue-removing opening for selectively opening and closing the opening.

Abstract: A catheter for removing tissue from a body lumen includes a rotatable cutter. The cutter includes an annular cutting tip at the distal end portion of the cutter for removing tissue from the body lumen. An axial cavity is defined by an interior surface of the cutter and extends proximally from the annular cutting tip toward the proximal end portion of the cutter. An eccentric opening extends from the central cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting tip to pass proximally through the eccentric opening toward an interior passage of the catheter body. The offset opening is offset from the longitudinal axis of the cutter.

Abstract: A rotatable cutter for a tissue-removing catheter includes a central hub, flutes spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the central hub, and arcuate cutting members. Each cutting member includes an arcuate cutting edge extending along an arc length of the cutting member for cutting tissue as the cutter is rotated. A raised element of each cutting member has a leading cutting edge at a leading end of the distal cutting member for cutting tissue as the cutter is rotated. A clearance portion of each cutting member is recessed, relative to the longitudinal axis of the cutter, from the raised element and extends from the raised element to a trailing end of the cutting member to provide clearance for the leading cutting edge of an adjacent and opposing distal cutting member.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a tissue-removing element operably connected to a drive shaft for rotation of the tissue-removing element about an axis of rotation in a cutting direction. The tissue-removing element is, in some embodiments, an integrally formed one-piece body. The tissue-removing element has a tissue-removing head that includes a plurality of shearing members spaced apart around the axis of rotation. Channels separate the plurality of shearing members and extend through the radially outer surface of the tissue-removing head. In some embodiments, the shearing members include respective wedge portions that hook and cleave tissue as the tissue-removing element rotates.

Abstract: A deployment mechanism of a tissue-removing catheter includes a socket member received in a catheter body that is capable of moving longitudinally therein, and a ball member extending distally from the distal end portion of the cutting element and operatively connected to the socket member. The ball member is constrained axially relative to the socket member and is capable of pivoting relative to the socket member for allowing pivoting of the cutting element relative to the socket when the cutting element is moved from a retracted position to a cutting position.