Patent ID: 8663195

Claim:
A method of using a rotational atherectomy device to remove a stenotic lesion from within a blood vessel, comprising: advancing a distal fluid inflatable counterweight located at a distal tip of a rotational atherectomy device to a position distal of a stenotic lesion in a blood vessel while an abrasive element of the rotational atherectomy device is positioned proximal of the stenotic lesion in the blood vessel and a proximal fluid inflatable counterweight is located proximal of the abrasive element, wherein the rotational atherectomy device comprises a rotatable, flexible drive shaft including a torque transmitting coil and defining a fluid transport to the distal and proximal fluid inflatable counterweight, and wherein a distal end of the fluid transport lumen of the drive shaft is continuously closed by a fluid impermeable wall that crosses a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft such that fluid is prevented from exiting the fluid transport lumen in a longitudinal direction when fluid is moved through the fluid transport lumen; inflating the distal and proximal fluid inflatable counterweights of the rotational atherectomy device to a larger size after the distal fluid inflatable counterweight is advanced to the position distal of the stenotic lesion in the blood vessel; rotating the drive shaft of the rotational atherectomy device such that the abrasive element, the distal fluid inflatable counterweight, and the proximal counterweight rotate together with the drive shaft; and at least partially removing the stenotic lesion in the blood vessel with the abrasive element with while the abrasive element rotates together with the distal fluid inflatable counterweight, the proximal counterweight, and the drive shaft.