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: 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.