Patent ID: 8328829

Claim:
A catheter comprising: a flexible tube comprising a proximal end and a distal end; said flexible tube having dimensions and flexibility compatible with migration through at least some arteries or veins or other body lumens of a living mammal; a catheter head with dimensions also compatible with migration through at least some arteries or veins or other body lumens of a living mammal; said catheter head comprising a substantially rigid housing coupled to the distal end of said flexible tube; said rigid housing comprising at least a window to the space outside said housing that also opens into a hollow inner portion of said housing; at least one edge of said window comprising a blade with at least one cutting edge facing in the distal direction of said catheter; a moveable plunger disposed in the hollow portion of said rigid housing, the moveable plunger comprising a plug and a rotatable shaft having a helical screw that moves shaved material proximally upon rotation of the shaft; wherein said catheter contains a mechanism to allow an operator of said catheter to adjust said plunger to open or close said window; wherein said plunger can be powered to rotate; and wherein said plug has a cutting edge along the circumference of the plug that faces in the proximal direction of said catheter.