Patent ID: 6565583
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An endarterectomy device, comprising:an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and a flexible dissecting blade mounted at said distal end of said elongated shaft, said flexible dissecting blade having a distal edge configured for dissecting a plane of separation between an atherosclerotic plaque and a layer of a vascular wall, said flexible dissecting blade having differential stiffness, wherein said flexible dissecting blade has a greater flexibility about a longitudinal axis parallel to said elongated shaft and greater resistance to bending about a lateral axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; wherein said flexible dissecting blade has a central ridge oriented parallel to said elongated shaft, a left lateral wing extending to the left of said central ridge and terminating in a left lateral edge and a right lateral wing extending to the right of said central ridge and terminating in a right lateral edge, said left lateral wing having a tapered thickness that tapers down from said central ridge to said left lateral edge and said right lateral wing having a tapered thickness that tapers down from said central ridge to said right lateral edge.