Patent ID: 8409196

Claim:
A catheter assembly, comprising: a catheter having a catheter lumen extending therethrough from a proximal to a distal end; a cutting apparatus made of electrically conductive material and connected to an electrical current source, said cutting apparatus being capable of being axially displaced such that a distal portion of the cutting apparatus can be extended distally and refracted proximally, said cutting apparatus including a substantially planar tip selectively movable between retracted and extended positions; a sealing apparatus disposed around said catheter, wherein said cutting apparatus penetrates said sealing apparatus and said catheter into said catheter lumen to be movable within the catheter lumen; and an insulating material around said electrically conductive material of said cutting apparatus, wherein said insulating material electrically isolates said electrically conductive material of said cutting apparatus, and wherein said insulating material does not cover a distal tip of said electrically conductive material of said cutting apparatus.