Patent ID: 9717520
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A catheter for cutting material from the lumen of a vessel, the catheter having a longitudinal axis and comprising: a first drive shaft having proximal and distal ends and being configured to rotate in a first direction; a second drive shaft having proximal and distal ends and being configured to rotate in a second direction; a first cutting element at the distal end of the first drive shaft configured for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the catheter, the first cutting element having a distal end, an opening extending proximally through the distal end of the first cutting element, and first cutting element flutes extending along an interior surface defining the opening of the first cutting element, wherein the first cutting element flutes have semi-cylindrical cross-sectional shapes; and a second cutting element at the distal end of the second drive shaft configured for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the catheter, the second cutting element received in the opening of the first cutting element, the second cutting element having second cutting element flutes extending along an exterior surface of the second cutting element, wherein the second cutting element flutes have semi-cylindrical cross-sectional shapes, wherein the first and second cutting element flutes are configured to alternate between being radially aligned with respect to one another to create circular passages through which material cut from the lumen of the vessel can pass, and radially offset with respect to one another to shear cut material passing proximally through the circular passages as the first and second cutting elements rotate about the longitudinal axis.