Abstract: An atherectomy burr has an operating diameter that is larger than the diameter of a catheter in which the burr is routed. The burr may include an expandable polymeric balloon having a partially abrasive exterior surface. The maximum expansion of the burr is controlled by an expansion mechanism. Various mechanisms are disclosed for controlling the maximum diameter of the burr thus preventing the burr from over expanding. In addition, the present invention includes systems that are pulled proximally to remove portions of a lesion located in a patient's vasculature. The system includes an ablation burr that has abrasive disposed on the proximal end. The burr may create a seal when expanded to block the ablated particulate so that an aspiration system can remove the particulate from the vasculature. Alternatively, the burr system may include a self expanding seal that is deployed out of the aspiration sheath.

Abstract: An atherectomy burr has an operating diameter that is larger than the diameter of a catheter in which the burr is routed. The burr may include a polymeric balloon that is coated with an abrasive and that expands when the burr is rotated. When the burr is rotated, the polymeric tube expands by centrifugal force. The maximum expansion of the burr is controlled by an expansion mechanism. Various mechanisms are disclosed for controlling the maximum diameter of the burr thus preventing the burr from over expanding. In addition, the present invention includes a system for preventing the loose ablated particulate from reembolizing in the distal vasculature. The system includes an ablation burr that has abrasive disposed on the proximal end that is pulled back toward the guide catheter to ablate the lesion. The burr creates a seal when expanded to block the ablated particulate so that the aspiration system can remove the particulate from the patient vessel or stent.

Abstract: An atherectomy burr has an operating diameter that is larger than the diameter of a catheter in which the burr is routed. The burr may include a polymeric balloon that is coated with an abrasive and that expands when the burr is rotated. When the burr is rotated, the polymeric tube expands by centrifugal force. The maximum expansion of the burr is controlled by an expansion mechanism. Various mechanisms are disclosed for controlling the maximum diameter of the burr thus preventing the burr from over expanding. In addition, the present invention includes a system for preventing the loose ablated particulate from reembolizing in the distal vasculature. The system includes an ablation burr that has abrasive disposed on the proximal end that is pulled back toward the guide catheter to ablate the lesion. The burr creates a seal when expanded to block the ablated particulate so that the aspiration system can remove the particulate from the patient vessel or stent.

Abstract: An ablative burr (100) that may be used for a medical procedure, such as an atherectomy, that does not require the user of an elongate flexible drive shaft. The burr comprises a main body (110) that is elastically connected to an abrasive shell member (130). One or more oscillatory driver(s) (150), such as a piezoelectric transducer, is disposed between the shell member and the main body to oscillate the shell with respect to the main body. Elastically compressible members (140, 142) are provided between the shell member and the main body member. The oscillatory drivers are preferably set or tuned to operate at a resonant frequency of the shell member whereby shell member amplitudes larger than the oscillatory driver amplitudes may be induced. Embodiments of longitudinally oscillatory burrs (100, 200) and rotationally oscillatory burrs (300, 400) are disclosed.

Abstract: An ablative burr (100) that may be used for a medical procedure, such as an atherectomy, that does not require the user of an elongate flexible drive shaft. The burr comprises a main body (110) that is elastically connected to an abrasive shell member (130). One or more oscillatory driver(s) (150), such as a piezoelectric transducer, is disposed between the shell member and the main body to oscillate the shell with respect to the main body. Elastically compressible members (140, 142) are provided between the shell member and the main body member. The oscillatory drivers are preferably set or tuned to operate at a resonant frequency of the shell member whereby shell member amplitudes larger than the oscillatory driver amplitudes may be induced. Embodiments of longitudinally oscillatory burrs (100, 200) and rotationally oscillatory burrs (300, 400) are disclosed.

Abstract: An atherectomy burr has an operating diameter that is larger than the diameter of a catheter in which the burr is routed. The burr may include a polymeric balloon that is coated with an abrasive and that expands when the burr is rotated. Alternatively, the burr may include a polymeric tube that is coated with an abrasive and secured to the proximal end of the burr. When the burr is rotated, the polymeric tube expands by centrifugal force. Alternatively, the burr may comprise a metallic strip wound over a mandrel. When the strip is tightly coiled to the mandrel, its outer diameter decreases. The outer diameter of the burr increases as the metallic strip expands. In addition, the burr can be formed as a wire spring wound over a drive tube. The distal end of the spring is coupled to a nose cone that can move within a distal lumen in the drive tube. The maximum expansion of the burr is controlled by the distance that the nose cone can be retracted into the lumen.

Abstract: An atherectomy burr has an operating diameter that is larger than the diameter of a catheter in which the burr is routed. The burr may include a polymeric balloon that is coated with an abrasive and that expands when the burr is rotated. Alternatively, the burr may include a polymeric tube that is coated with an abrasive and secured to the proximal end of the burr. When the burr is rotated, the polymeric tube expands by centrifugal force. Alternatively, the burr may comprise a metallic strip wound over a mandrel. When the strip is tightly coiled to the mandrel, its outer diameter decreases. The outer diameter of the burr increases as the metallic strip expands. In addition, the burr can be formed as a wire spring wound over a drive tube. The distal end of the spring is coupled to a nose cone that can move within a distal lumen in the drive tube. The maximum expansion of the burr is controlled by the distance that the nose cone can be retracted into the lumen.