Atherectomy devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A vascular device for cutting material from body lumens, the device comprising:
 a catheter body sized and configured for advancement in the body lumen, the catheter body having a center axis and including spaced apart proximal and distal ends;   a cutter assembly located at the distal end of the catheter, the cutter assembly comprising a housing and a cutter disposed within the housing, the cutter comprising:
 a distal cutter portion with at least one helical cutting edge; and 
 a proximal cutter portion with a number of helical cutting edges greater than the at least one cutting edge of the distal portion; 
   a torque shaft extending through the catheter lumen and coupled to the cutter for rotating the cutter relative to the catheter; and   a control handle located at the proximal end of the catheter body, operable to control rotation of the torque shaft.   
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , further comprising a lumen extending through the catheter body accommodating passage of a guidewire. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the lumen extends through the cutter assembly. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the a cutter assembly has an outside diameter 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the housing defines at least one opening. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the cutter is configured to rotate about the central axis relative to the housing to cut and convey occlusive material from a body lumen proximally into the housing. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 32 , further comprising a conveyor mechanism helically wound about the torque shaft and configured to convey the occlusive material proximally along the catheter body for discharge without supplement of a vacuum pump. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the conveyor mechanism is helically wound in a direction common with the helical cutting surface.