Abstract: A catheter atherotome (10) and method for its use for performing partial atherectomy in an artery and thereby enlarging the lumen effectively available for blood flow through the artery. Several blades (34) are mounted at a distal end of a catheter (30), in a helical basket configuration and spaced angularly apart from one another about the associated ends of two concentric sheaths (12, 14) in such a way that longitudinal and rotary relative movement of the sheaths selectively bows the blades arcuately outwardly into a cutting position or draws the blades flat into alignment with the sheaths. The blades (34) have sharpened cutting edges (44) extending helically and directed toward the catheter's proximal end when the blades are bowed. Partial removal of an atheroma is effected by manually pulling the basket knife past an atheroma with the blades (34) in their outwardly bowed cutting positions, with the speed, force, and amount of expansion of the blades determined by the operator.

Abstract: A filter useful in tubular organs of the human body, intended primarily for endovascular use during surgical procedures for removal of plaque and other treatment of stenoses in arteries, in order to entrap particles of plaque or other materials freed from the interior wall of an artery while permitting continued flow of blood through the artery during the procedure of treating the stenosis. Several filter elements are fastened in apart-spaced relationship with one another along a flexible elongate member and are large enough to require the entire flow of blood through the artery to pass through the filter elements. An open-mouthed tubular stocking of porous filter material encloses the filter elements and supports the periphery of each filter element. Successive filter elements, progressing in the direction of blood flow, pass only progressively smaller particles.

Abstract: A catheter atherotome and method for its use for performing partial atherectomy in an artery and thereby enlarging the lumen effectively available for blood flow through the artery. Several blades are mounted at a distal end of a catheter, in a helical basket configuration and spaced angularly apart from one another about the associated ends of two concentric sheaths in such a way that longitudinal and rotary relative movement of the sheaths selectively bows the blades arcuately outwardly into a cutting position or draws the blades flat into alignment with the sheaths. The blades have sharpened cutting edges extending helically and directed toward the catheter's proximal end when the blades are bowed. Partial removal of an atheroma is effected by manually pulling the basket knife past an atheroma with the basket blades in their outwardly bowed cutting positions, with the speed, force, and amount of expansion of the blades determined by the operator.

Abstract: A filter useful in tubular organs of the human body, intended primarily for endovascular use during surgical procedures for removal of plaque and other treatment of stenoses in arteries, in order to entrap particles of plaque or other materials freed from the interior wall of an artery while permitting continued flow of blood through the artery during the procedure of treating the stenosis. Several filter elements are fastened in apart-spaced relationship with one another along a flexible elongate member and are large enough to require the entire flow of blood through the artery to pass through the filter elements. An open-mouthed tubular stocking of porous filter material encloses the filter elements and supports the periphery of each filter element. Successive filter elements, progressing in the direction of blood flow, pass only progressively smaller particles.

Abstract: A catheter atherotome and method for its use for performing partial atherectomy in an artery and thereby enlarging the lumen effectively available for blood flow through the artery. Several blades are mounted at a distal end of a catheter, in a helical basket configuration and spaced angularly apart from one another about the associated ends of two concentric sheaths in such a way that longitudinal and rotary relative movement of the sheaths selectively bows the blades arcuately outwardly into a cutting position or draws the blades flat into alignment with the sheaths. The blades have sharpened cutting edges extending helically and directed toward the catheter's proximal end when the blades are bowed. Partial removal of an atheroma is effected by manually pulling the basket knife past an atheroma with the basket blades in their outwardly bowed cutting positions, with the speed, force, and amount of expansion of the blades determined by the operator.