Patent ID: 8551112

Claim:
A device for accessing the interior of a blood vessel from the exterior thereof and for removing an atheroma from the interior of a blood vessel, comprising: a cannula system having a first lumen that extends from a proximal end outside of the blood vessel to a first distal port positionable in the interior of the blood vessel; a second lumen that extends from a proximal end outside of the blood vessel to a second distal port positional in the interior of the blood vessel; a third lumen that extends from a proximal end outside of the blood vessel to a third distal port positionable in the interior of the blood vessel; a filter insertable through the first lumen so as to extend through the first distal port into the interior of the blood vessel; and an atherectomy catheter insertable through the second lumen so as to extend through the second distal port into the interior of the blood vessel, the atherectomy catheter comprising: a tubular sheath having an open distal end and a lumen extending from a proximal end to the open distal end; and an elongate member extending through the lumen of the sheath and having a distal end terminating in an atheroma removal element.