Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening toward a tissue-transport passage of a catheter body. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the interior passage of the catheter body includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. A cutter driveshaft extends longitudinally within a driveshaft passage of the screw blade and is rotatable about its axis relative to the screw blade. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

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 tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening. A cutter driveshaft defines a tissue-transport passage extending longitudinally therein and in communication with the axial cavity of the cutter. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the tissue-transport passage and includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening toward a tissue-transport passage of a catheter body. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the interior passage of the catheter body includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. A cutter driveshaft extends longitudinally within a driveshaft passage of the screw blade and is rotatable about its axis relative to the screw blade. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening. A cutter driveshaft defines a tissue-transport passage extending longitudinally therein and in communication with the axial cavity of the cutter. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the tissue-transport passage and includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible support structure and its method of use. The support structure has a vertical support with a water inlet and tip with one or more holes. The vertical support in one arrangement is separable into a first and second portion that is connected by inserting the first portion into a receiving end of the second portion. Connection members connect horizontal supports to the vertical support. The horizontal supports extend perpendicularly outward from the vertical body due their friction fit connection, which allows for their unaided extension. The method of use includes attaching a water source to the water inlet to pressurize water within the vertical support that projects water from the tip. In turn, the vertical support is easily inserted into the ground, where it is left in place until the ground dries to the vertical support providing additional rigidity and support.

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 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 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 tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening toward a tissue-transport passage of a catheter body. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the interior passage of the catheter body includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. A cutter driveshaft extends longitudinally within a driveshaft passage of the screw blade and is rotatable about its axis relative to the screw blade. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

Abstract: A tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening toward a tissue-transport passage of a catheter body. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the interior passage of the catheter body includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. A cutter driveshaft extends longitudinally within a driveshaft passage of the screw blade and is rotatable about its axis relative to the screw blade. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.

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 catheter for debulking and removing tissue from a body lumen includes an elongate catheter body configured for insertion into the body lumen. The catheter body has opposite distal and proximal end portions, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal and proximal end portions. A debulking assembly for debulking tissue in the body lumen includes concentric outer and inner cutters disposed generally at the distal end of the catheter body. A drive shaft is operatively connected to at least one of the outer and inner cutters for rotating the at least one of the cutters relative to the other cutter about a rotational axis. Each of the outer and inner cutters includes at least one cutting edge at a distal end of the cutter. Rotation of the at least one of the cutters relative to the other cutter creates a shearing action between the respective cutting edges of the cutters to debulk the tissue in the body lumen.

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 tissue-removing catheter includes a cutter having an axial cavity and an opening extending from the axial cavity through the cutter to allow tissue removed from the body lumen by the annular cutting edge to pass proximally through the opening toward a tissue-transport passage of a catheter body. A screw blade extends longitudinally within the interior passage of the catheter body includes an external helical thread for transporting removed tissue proximally within the tissue-transport passage as the screw blade rotates about its axis. A cutter driveshaft extends longitudinally within a driveshaft passage of the screw blade and is rotatable about its axis relative to the screw blade. The cutter driveshaft having a distal end portion operatively coupled to the cutter for driving rotation of the cutter.