Patent ID: 6077282
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: A61B,F16D

Abstract:
A rotational atherectomy device comprising:a handle housing and an exchangeable drive shaft cartridge having a housing which is removably attachable to the handle housing;a rotatable prime mover carried by a prime mover carriage which is disposed within the handle housing, the prime mover carriage being longitudinally movable with respect to the handle housing;the exchangeable drive shaft cartridge includinga longitudinally extendable tube having a distal end portion carried by the cartridge housing and a proximal end portion which is removably attachable to the prime mover carriage for longitudinal movement therewith;an elongated catheter having a proximal end portion which is carried by the cartridge housing; anda rotatable flexible drive shaft having proximal, intermediate and distal portions, the proximal portion being attached to an elongated shank, the intermediate portion being disposed primarily within the tube and the catheter, and the distal portion extending distally from the catheter and having a tissue removal implement; anda drive shaft attachment mechanism removably attaching the drive shaft to the prime mover, the drive shaft attachment mechanism comprising a prime mover socket carried by the prime mover and the elongated shank carried by the proximal end portion of the drive shaft, the shank being removably insertable into the socket, at least one of the shank and the socket being radially resilient;whereby the cartridge housing may be attached to and detached from the handle housing, the longitudinally extendable tube may be attached to and detached from the prime mover carriage, and the drive shaft may be attached to and detached from the prime mover, thereby permitting the exchangeable drive shaft cartridge to be selectively attached to and detached from the handle housing.