Patent · US Expired

Rotationally expandable atherectomy cutter assembly

US5192291A · kind A · utility

509Cited by
50References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 13, 1992
Grant dateMar 9, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 13, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B17/320725
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A rotationally expandable atherectomy cutter assembly for cutting plaque from a stenosis in an artery includes a plurality of radially separated and axially aligned blade elements. The distal ends of each blade element are fixably connected to a hub and the proximal ends of each blade element slidably engage helical slots formed in a distally flared extension tube of the assembly. The extension tube is connectable to a rotatable catheter. The helical slots are oriented in a first direction such that contact of the cutter assembly with the plaque of the stenosis, in conjunction with a second direction rotation of the catheter causes the proximal ends of the blade assembly to slide distally along the helical slots thereby expanding the cutting radius of the cutter assembly.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.