Abstract: An atherectomy device may include an elongated, flexible drive shaft having a distal end for insertion into a vasculature of a patient and having a proximal end opposite the distal end remaining outside the vasculature of the patient, a handle coupled to the proximal end of the drive shaft for controlling the drive shaft, and a head arranged proximate the distal end of the drive shaft wherein the head may include a middle portion having a substantially uninterrupted outer surface and substantially conically-shaped first and second end portions, wherein the middle portion and substantially conically-shaped end portions all have a bore extending therethrough adapted to frictionally engage a drive shaft.

Abstract: A method for attaching a head to a drive shaft may include winding a wire to create a drive shaft, selecting a head, forming a tapered tip on a distal end of the drive shaft, placing the head on the tapered tip such that a distal end of the tapered tip extends from a distal end of the head, engaging the distal end of the tapered tip and turning down the drive shaft to create a turned down portion, advancing the head proximally over the turned down portion, and disengaging the distal end of the tapered tip wherein the drive shaft frictionally engages the head.

Abstract: An atherectomy device may include an elongated, flexible drive shaft having a distal end for insertion into a vasculature of a patient and having a proximal end opposite the distal end remaining outside the vasculature of the patient, a handle coupled to the proximal end of the drive shaft for controlling the drive shaft, and a head arranged proximate the distal end of the drive shaft wherein the head may include a middle portion having a substantially uninterrupted outer surface and substantially conically-shaped first and second end portions, wherein the middle portion and substantially conically-shaped end portions all have a bore extending therethrough adapted to frictionally engage a drive shaft.

Abstract: An emboli filter for deployment in a body lumen to capture emboli entrained in a fluid flowing through the lumen includes a flexible elongated member sized to be passed through the lumen. A filter media is carried on and substantially surrounding the elongated member. The filter media has a first end secured to the elongated member adjacent the distal end. A second end of the filter media has a periphery movable toward and away from the elongated member. Opposing internal surfaces of the filter media define a volume into which emboli may flow through the second end when the periphery is moved away from the elongated member. The emboli are trapped within the volume when the periphery is moved toward the elongated member. An actuator moves the periphery toward and away from the elongated member. The actuator includes a plurality of elastic loops. The loops are biased to an open loop configuration with the loops urging the periphery away from the elongated member.