Patent ID: 8359086
Filing Date: 2013-01-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A catheter device for performing and monitoring medical atherectomy, comprising: an atherectomy catheter assembly including a single external elongate casing having first and second opposing ends with a catheter tip at the first end, an inlet for receiving contrast agent or rinsing fluid near the second end and an outlet for discharging contrast agent or rinsing fluid and a rotatable cutting knife positioned between the first end and the inlet, the casing including an opening in a wall portion thereof through which the catheter tip projects; an inflatable balloon operatively positionable along the casing to press the cutting knife against a vascular wall; an OCT sensor comprising a rotatable mirror positioned in the casing between the first and second casing ends, with the casing including a ring-shaped window positioned about the sensor; a flexible drive assembly including a hollow shaft extending between the first and second ends and operatively coupled to simultaneously rotate both the mirror and the knife; an external OCT signaling line drive and evaluation unit coupled to the catheter assembly at the second end and connectable to drive said OCT sensor, wherein a fiber signaling line is positionable in the hollow flexible drive shaft to effect operative coupling of said unit to the OCT sensor, wherein configuration of the knife, the sensor, the hollow shaft, the unit and the balloon about the single casing enable provision of one catheter capable of providing both OCT images and atherectomy along the vascular wall.