Patent ID: 7708749

Claim:
An atherectomy device for removing material from vascular location, comprising: an elongate body extending to a distal tip; a torque transmitting element contained within the elongate body, the torque transmitting element being rotatable; a first opening in the body; a cutting element coupled to the torque transmitting element, the cutting element being rotated by the torque transmitting element when cutting material from the vascular location, the cutting element being oriented to direct the material being cut from the vascular location through the first opening; a containment chamber formed along the body, the containment chamber receiving the material passing through the first opening which has been cut by the cutting element; and a second opening in the body, the second opening being selectively closed or opened by a user, the second opening being closed when the cutting element is used to cut material from the vascular location, the body being configured such that the second opening is prevented from being opened when the cutting element is used to cut material from the vascular location.