Patent ID: 7247162

Claim:
An atherectomy 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, and 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 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; wherein the elongate member is movable axially in the lumen of the sheath between a first position in which the atheroma removal element is retracted within the lumen of the sheath, and a second position in which the atheroma removal element extends from the open distal end of the sheath, the atheroma removal element being operable to remove the atheroma by direct access to the interior of the blood vessel while the filter captures embolic debris in the interior of the blood vessel.