Rotational atherectomy system with stationary cutting elements

Abstract

An elongate tubular body extends between a rotatable cutter and a control. The cutter is connected to the control with a rotatable element. A vacuum is applied through an annular passage defined between the tubular body and the rotatable element. The cutter has at least one radial projection which cooperates with at least one stationary element on the tubular body to cut material drawn into the tubular body. Material that has been processed by the cutter is aspirated through the tubular body for disposal.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A percutaneous device for removing material from a body lumen, comprising: 
 an elongate, flexible tube having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a passageway therethrough;    a material removal tip on the distal end of the tube, including an outer housing rotationally fixed with respect to the tube and a member permitted to rotate within the outer housing,    the outer housing having a lumen extending therethrough and an open distal mouth;    the rotatable member having proximal and distal ends, a central body, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced flanges extending radially outward from the body; and    a shearing member on the housing axially adjacent to the flanges and having a shearing edge to shear material received into the open mouth of the housing between the shearing member and the flanges.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further including a screw thread on the body formed distally with respect to the flanges.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the shearing member extends radially from a wall of the housing lumen.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  further comprising shear planes of said shearing member precluding thrombus build-up within said housing lumen.  
     
     
         5 . A rotational medical device comprising: 
 an elongate flexible tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and an elongate central lumen;    a cutter housing rotationally fixed to said distal end of said tubular body and a cutter positioned within said cutter housing, said cutter being capable of rotation within said cutter housing; 
 said cutter housing comprising a lumen and an open distal end;  
 said cutter comprising proximal and distal ends, a central body and a plurality of flanges extending radially outward from said central body; and  
 a stationary member positioned on said cutter housing axially adjacent to said flanges and comprising a shearing edge to shear material between said stationary member and said flanges when material is received into said open distal end of said cutter housing.  
   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  further comprising a screw thread on said central body of said cutter, said screw thread being formed distally of said flanges.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said stationary member extends radially inward into said housing lumen.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said stationary member defines a shear plane and said shear plane precluding thrombus build-up within said housing lumen.