Ablation burr

Abstract

A catheter including an elongate drive shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an ablation burr disposed at the distal end expandable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the second position has a greater transverse dimension than in the first position. The catheter of the present invention can include a mechanism for positioning the burr eccentrically within a vessel lumen. In this context, expansion means that the burr can ablate a lumen having a larger diameter than the diameter of the lumen of the guide catheter to which the device is advanced.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . A catheter assembly, comprising: 
 an elongate drive shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and    an ablation burr eccentrically connected to the drive shaft at the distal end thereof.    
     
     
         24 . The catheter assembly in accordance with  claim 23 , further comprising a counter weight connected to the burr.  
     
     
         25 . The catheter assembly in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein the burr includes an abrasive surface.  
     
     
         26 - 31 . (canceled)  
     
     
         32 . A method of removing lesion material from a patient's blood vessel, comprising the steps of: 
 routing a catheter through a blood vessel having a central axis, the catheter including an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends and defining a drive shaft lumen, a driveshaft having proximal and distal ends disposed in the drive shaft lumen, an ablation burr disposed on the distal end of the driveshaft for rotation therewith, and first and second inflation balloons disposed eccentrically on the shaft proximate the burr, wherein inflation of the first balloon urges the ablation burr in a first direction transverse of the central axis of the blood vessel and inflation of the second balloon urges the ablation burr in a second direction transverse of the central axis of the blood vessel;    inflating the first or second balloon to urge the ablation burr in a direction transverse of the central axis of the blood vessel and into contact with lesion material deposited on a sidewall of the blood vessel; and    rotating the burr.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising: 
 deflating the first or second balloon; and    inflating the other of the first or second balloon to urge the ablation burr in another direction transverse of the central axis of the blood vessel.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising supporting a proximal end of the ablation burr.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the first and second balloons are disposed on opposite sides of the shaft.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the catheter further includes a bearing positioned at the distal end of the shaft, the bearing defining a bearing surface that is capable of supporting a proximal end of the ablation burr.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the bearing is cup shaped.