Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A device insertable into an artery for cutting stenotic tissue comprising: a catheter sheath including a body portion, a proximal end and a distal end, said sheath defining a longitudinal axis and an internal receiving means at said distal end, said body portion having an inner surface and an outer surface; and a cutting member for incising tissue comprising a shaft supporting cutting means, said cutting member being reciprocatable along said longitudinal axis, said cutting member being located entirely within said receiving means when in a retracted position and partially extending out of said receiving means when in an extended position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to Claim 1 further comprising restricting means included in said catheter sheath for limiting and aligning reciprocations of said cutting member, said restricting means engaging said cutting member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein said receiving means prevents said cutting means from contacting said tissue when said cutting member is in said retracted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to Claim 3 wherein said receiving means comprises an internal coaxial void defined by said inner surface, and an opening formed by said distal end of said sheath, said opening being shaped and sized to allow said cutting means to exit said coaxial void.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
49 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a plurality of alignment lugs radially extending from and attached to said hollow shaft proximally of said cutting means, said alignment lugs slidingly engaging said restricting means to limit and align said reciprocations of said cutting member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to Claim 5 wherein said restricting means is a plurality of longitudinal slots formed by said inner surface of said sheath.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
28 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said cutting means comprises at least one cutting blade attached to and radially extending from said shaft.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
38 words
A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein said cutting means comprises a plurality of cutting blades attached to and radially extending from said shaft, said blades being substantially equally spaced about said shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to Claim 6 wherein said cutting means comprises at least one cautery attached to and radially extending from said shaft.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
30 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an inflatable balloon mounted on said shaft, said balloon being in fluid communication with a balloon inflation means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to Claim 6 wherein said sheath has a wall thickness which increases at said distal end to prevent deformation and splaying of said distal end during insertion and placement of said device.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
24 words
A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said shaft includes at least one flexible member allowing said shaft to flex.