Cutting balloon catheter having increased flexibility regions

Abstract

A cutting balloon catheter and method of using the same. The cutting balloon catheter may include a catheter shaft having a balloon coupled thereto. One or more cutting members or blades may be coupled to the balloon. The balloon may include one or more discrete points or areas of flexibility to enhance flexibility of the cutting balloon catheter. A break in the one or more cutting members may be aligned with the one or more discrete points of flexibility in the balloon.

1 . A medical device comprising: 
 an elongate shaft having a distal region;    an expandable member coupled to the distal region of the elongate shaft;    a plurality of cutting members coupled to the expandable member, wherein each cutting member includes a plurality of segments, wherein each segment is separated by a break; and    wherein the expandable member includes discrete generally circumferential area of flexibility.    
   
   
       2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete area of flexibility is a circumferential crease.  
   
   
       3 . The medical device of  claim 2 , wherein the circumferential crease is orthogonal to the plurality of cutting members.  
   
   
       4 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete area of flexibility is a helical crease.  
   
   
       5 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member includes an outer surface, wherein the discrete area of flexibility is formed in the outer surface of the expandable member.  
   
   
       6 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member includes an inner surface, wherein the discrete area of flexibility is formed in the inner surface of the expandable member.  
   
   
       7 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete area of flexibility is defined by a reduced wall thickness of the expandable member.  
   
   
       8 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete area of flexibility is defined by a reduced diameter portion.  
   
   
       9 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete area of flexibility includes a relatively non-expandable band of material.  
   
   
       10 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein each cutting member includes a cutting edge, wherein the break is defined as a gap in the cutting edge.  
   
   
       11 . A medical device comprising: 
 an elongate shaft having a distal region;    an expandable member coupled to the distal region of the elongate shaft;    one or more cutting members coupled to the expandable member; and    wherein the expandable member includes at least one generally circumferential crease.    
   
   
       12 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein each cutting member includes a first segment, a second segment and a break located between the first and second segments.  
   
   
       13 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein each circumferential crease is aligned with the break of the one or more cutting members.  
   
   
       14 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein each cutting member includes a relatively more flexible region, wherein the one or more circumferential creases are aligned with the relatively more flexible region of each cutting member.  
   
   
       15 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein each cutting member includes a reduced thickness area, wherein the one or more circumferential creases are aligned with the reduced thickness area.  
   
   
       16 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the expandable member includes a relatively non-compliant material.  
   
   
       17 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more creases are a recessed area of the expandable member.  
   
   
       18 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more creases are a reduced diameter portion of the expandable member.  
   
   
       19 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more cutting members traverse the one or more circumferential creases.  
   
   
       20 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more circumferential creases are free of the one or more cutting members.  
   
   
       21 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more circumferential creases are orthogonal to the one or more cutting members.  
   
   
       22 . An atherotomy device comprising: 
 an elongate shaft having a distal region;    an expandable member coupled to the distal region of the elongate shaft;    a plurality of atherotomes disposed about the expandable member, each atherotome including a cutting edge and at least one break in the cutting edge; and    wherein the expandable member includes a generally circumferential crease at the at least one break.    
   
   
       23 . The atherotomy device of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of atherotomes are disposed equidistantly about the expandable member.  
   
   
       24 . The atherotomy device of  claim 22 , wherein each atherotome includes a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments is separated by the break.  
   
   
       25 . The atherotomy device of  claim 22 , wherein the circumferential crease is defined by a reduced wall thickness of the expandable member.  
   
   
       26 . The atherotomy device of  claim 22 , wherein the circumferential crease is a groove formed in an outer wall of the expandable member.  
   
   
       27 . The atherotomy device of  claim 22 , wherein the circumferential crease is a reduced diameter portion of the expandable member.  
   
   
       28 . The atherotomy device of  claim 22 , wherein the circumferential crease is orthogonal to the plurality of atherotomes.