Patent ID: 6629953
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A method of removing material from a vascular site, comprising the steps of:providing a device having an expandable cage and a material removing element, the expandable cage being movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, the expandable cage also has a plurality of openings therein when in the expanded shape, the openings being formed by rigidly connected elements, the rigidly connected elements being integrally formed elements, the integrally formed elements forming a smooth inner surface in the expanded position; advancing the device to a vascular site where material is to be removed; expanding the expandable cage within the narrowed region of the blood vessel so that material extends through at least some of the openings; and removing the material extending through the openings in the cage by moving the material removing element within the cage, the removing step being carried out with a material removing element passing along the smooth inner surface.