Patent ID: 6872204
Filing Date: 2005-03-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for cutting body tissue, the method comprising: (a) inserting a catheter into a body, and guiding the catheter to position a window of the catheter proximate to tissue at a first location within the body; (b) with the window so positioned, applying a force against the catheter in a direction to urge the window and a wall portion of the catheter adjacent the window toward and against the selected tissue, to cause the selected tissue to enter the catheter through the window; (c) while the selected tissue is within the catheter, simultaneously using a cutting edge to cut tissue in a direction along the window and generating heat near the cutting edge to heat the selected tissue near the cutting edge during cutting, to sever the selected tissue for retention within the catheter; (d) without removing the catheter from the body, adjusting the position of the catheter to position the window proximate to additional selected tissue at additional locations within the body; and (e) repeating steps (b) and (c) at the additional locations within the body to sever the additional selected tissue.