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US20080004644A1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Atherectomy devices and methods

Assignee: AtheroMed Inc
•
Filing: 2006-10-19
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2026-10-19
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Abstract

Abstract The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens.

Inventors

  • 👤 John To
  • 👤 Christopher James Danek

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 01:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320783; A61B17/22; A61B17/320758; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2017/00318; A61B2017/22038; A61B2017/22041; A61B2017/320716; A61B2017/320741; A61B2017/320775; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/373; A61B2090/3735; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2090/3784; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0152; A61M25/0155

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 116
Claim 1
Independent Claim 134 words
1 . A vascular device for removing material from body lumens, the device comprising: a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end; a cutter assembly located at the distal end of the catheter body, the cutter assembly comprising a housing having at least one opening and a cutter having at least one cutting surface configured to rotate relative to the housing, where movement between the housing opening and the cutting surface removes material located therebetween; a rotating shaft extending through the catheter body and coupled to the cutter, the shaft having a proximal end adapted to couple to a first rotating mechanism; and a deflecting member extending along the catheter body, such that movement of the deflecting member causes deflection of the cutter assembly relative to an axis of the catheter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 134 words
1 . A vascular device for removing material from body lumens, the device comprising: a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end; a cutter assembly located at the distal end of the catheter body, the cutter assembly comprising a housing having at least one opening and a cutter having at least one cutting surface configured to rotate relative to the housing, where movement between the housing opening and the cutting surface removes material located therebetween; a rotating shaft extending through the catheter body and coupled to the cutter, the shaft having a proximal end adapted to couple to a first rotating mechanism; and a deflecting member extending along the catheter body, such that movement of the deflecting member causes deflection of the cutter assembly relative to an axis of the catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
2 . The device of claim 1 , where the catheter body is coupled to a fluid source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
3 . The device of claim 1 , where the catheter body is coupled to a vacuum source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
4 . The device of claim 1 , where the rotating shaft is coupled to a rotating mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
5 . The device of claim 1 , where the deflecting member comprises a steerable sheath adapted to deflect in shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 34 words
6 . The device of claim 5 , where the steerable sheath comprises a deflecting wire extending through a portion of the sheath, such that axial movement of the deflecting wire deflects the sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
7 . The device of claim 6 , where the deflecting wire is affixed to the cutter assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
8 . The device of claim 6 , where the deflecting wire is affixed to a portion of the catheter body that extends out of the deflecting sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 17 words
9 . The device of claim 5 , where the sheath is rotatable about the catheter body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
10 . The device of claim 5 , where the sheath is rotatable about an axis of the catheter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 41 words
11 . The device of claim 1 , where the deflecting member comprises a pre-shaped mandrel slidably located in the catheter body, where at least the distal end the catheter body assumes the shape of the pre-shaped mandrel when advanced therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 41 words
12 . The device of claim 1 , where the deflecting member comprises a pre-shaped tube slidably located in the catheter body, where at least the distal end the catheter body assumes the shape of the pre-shaped mandrel when advanced therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 44 words
13 . The device of claim 1 , where the deflecting member comprises a slidable sheath having a fixed curved shape, such that advancement of the slidable sheath over the catheter body causes the catheter body to assume the curved shape of the sheath.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 17 words
14 . The device of claim 13 , where the sheath is rotatable about the catheter body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 17 words
15 . The device of claim 13 , where the catheter body is rotatable within the sheath.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 21 words
16 . The device of claim 1 , where the deflecting member comprises a steerable guidewire extending through the catheter body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 52 words
17 . The device of claim 1 , where the deflecting member comprises a mandrel slidably located in the catheter body and extendable out of a distal surface of the catheter body, where upon extending out of the distal surface pushes against tissue to deflect the distal end of the catheter body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 52 words
18 . The device of claim 1 , where a portion of the housing comprises a curved surface and the opening forms a plane across the curved surface such that as the cutting surface rotates across the opening, a portion of the cutting surface extends out of the housing through the opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 25 words
19 . The device of claim 1 , where the torque shaft and cutter each have a lumen allowing for advancement of a guidewire therethrough.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 31 words
20 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a guidewire track having a lumen, where at least a portion of the guidewire track is exterior to the catheter body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 24 words
21 . The device of claim 1 , cutter comprises a plurality of flutes and the cutting surface is an edge of the flute.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 17 words
22 . The device of claim 21 , where the cutting surface of the flute is helical.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 39 words
23 . The device of claim 21 , where each flute is arranged relative to the openings in the housing such that during operation, a total length of the cutting surface exposed through the housing openings remains the same.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 24 words
24 . The device of claim 1 , further including a ferrule linking the housing to the said outer tube on the catheter body.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 38 words
25 . The device of claim 1 , where the shaft has at least one helical conveyor member wound about an exterior such that rotation of the torque shaft conveys material along the length of the torque shaft.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 27 words
26 . The device of claim 1 , where the helical conveyor member is wound in the same rotational sense as the helical flutes on the cutter
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 18 words
27 . The device of claim 1 , where a guide-wire portion is fixedly attached to the cutter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 23 words
28 . The device of claim 1 , where the deflecting member comprises a wire extending along a length of the flexible catheter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 17 words
29 . The device of claim 28 , where the wire is affixed to the cutter assembly.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 21 words
30 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a burr rotatably located on a tip of the cutter assembly.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 21 words
31 . The device of claim 1 , where the deflecting member is lockable to fix the deflection of the catheter.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 24 words
32 . The device of claim 1 , where the deflecting member has sufficient friction to lock the catheter relative to the deflecting member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 146 words
33 . A vascular device for removing material from body lumens, the device comprising: a straightening tube, having a straight distal portion; a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter body having a flexible section located towards the distal end, such that when located in the straight distal portion of the straightening tube the flexible section is less curved a cutter assembly located at the distal end of the catheter body, the cutter assembly comprising a housing having at least one opening and a cutter having at least one cutting surface configured to rotate relative to the housing, where movement between the housing opening and the cutting surface removes material located therebetween; and a rotating shaft extending through the catheter body and coupled to the cutter, the torque shaft having a proximal end adapted to couple to a first rotating mechanism.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 146 words
33 . A vascular device for removing material from body lumens, the device comprising: a straightening tube, having a straight distal portion; a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter body having a flexible section located towards the distal end, such that when located in the straight distal portion of the straightening tube the flexible section is less curved a cutter assembly located at the distal end of the catheter body, the cutter assembly comprising a housing having at least one opening and a cutter having at least one cutting surface configured to rotate relative to the housing, where movement between the housing opening and the cutting surface removes material located therebetween; and a rotating shaft extending through the catheter body and coupled to the cutter, the torque shaft having a proximal end adapted to couple to a first rotating mechanism.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 51 words
34 . The vascular device of claim 33 , where the flexible section of the catheter body comprises a curved shape and the straight distal portion of the straightening tube comprises a substantially straight shape such that when located in the straight distal portion the flexible section of the catheter straightens.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 47 words
35 . The vascular device of claim 34 , where the catheter body is coupled to a second rotating mechanism, such that when the curved section is advanced out of the straightening tube, rotation of the catheter body causes the cutter assembly to move in an arc.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 34 words
36 . The vascular device of claim 35 , further comprising a locking hub configured to lock the catheter body relative to the straightening tube such that the arc may have a constant radius.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 49 words
37 . The vascular device of claim 33 , where the flexible section of the catheter body comprises a substantially straight shape and the distal portion comprises a curved shape such that when located in the stiff distal section the flexible section of the catheter assumes the curved shape.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 45 words
38 . The vascular device of claim 37 , where the outer sheath is coupled to a second rotating mechanism, such that when advanced over the in the stiff distal section, rotation of the catheter body causes the cutter assembly to move in an arc.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 40 words
39 . The vascular device of claim 38 , further comprising a locking hub configured to lock the catheter body relative to the steering member body relative to the steering member such that the arc may have a constant radius.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 52 words
40 . The device of claim 33 , where a portion of the housing comprises a curved surface and the opening forms a plane across the curved surface such that as the cutting surface rotates across the opening, a portion of the cutting surface extends out of the housing through the opening.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 26 words
41 . The device of claim 33 , where the torque shaft and cutter assembly each have a lumen allowing for advancement of a guidewire therethrough.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 24 words
42 . The device of claim 33 , cutter comprises a plurality of flutes where the cutting surface is an edge of the flute.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 17 words
43 . The device of claim 42 , where the cutting surface of the flute is helical.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 38 words
44 . The device of claim 42 , where each flute is arranged relative to the openings in the housing such that during a total length of the cutting surface exposed in the housing opening remains the same.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 24 words
45 . The device of claim 33 , further including a ferrule linking the housing to the said outer tube on the catheter body.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 38 words
46 . The device of claim 33 , where the shaft has at least one helical conveyor member wound about an exterior such that rotation of the torque shaft conveys material across a length of the torque shaft.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 27 words
47 . The device of claim 33 , where the helical conveyor member is wound in the same rotational sense as the helical flutes on the cutter
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 18 words
48 . The device of claim 33 , where a guide-wire portion is fixedly attached to the cutter.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 23 words
49 . The device of claim 33 , where the deflecting member comprises a wire extending along a length of the flexible catheter.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 198 words
50 . A vascular device for removing material from body lumens, the device comprising: a steering member; a catheter body having a stiffer proximal portion and a more flexible distal portion; a steering member located along the catheter body, the steering member having a curved section located towards the distal end, where the curved section is more flexible than the stiffer proximal portion of the catheter body such that when located along the flexible portion the flexible distal portion of the catheter body takes the shape of the curved section a cutter assembly located at the distal end of the catheter body, the cutter assembly comprising a housing having at least one opening and a cutter having at least one cutting surface configured to rotate relative to the housing, where movement between the housing opening and the cutting surface removes material located therebetween; a rotating shaft extending through the catheter body and coupled to the cutter, the torque shaft having a proximal end adapted to couple to a first rotating mechanism; and where on advancement of the curved section of the steering member out of the distal portion of the sheath, the curved section reshapes the catheter body.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 198 words
50 . A vascular device for removing material from body lumens, the device comprising: a steering member; a catheter body having a stiffer proximal portion and a more flexible distal portion; a steering member located along the catheter body, the steering member having a curved section located towards the distal end, where the curved section is more flexible than the stiffer proximal portion of the catheter body such that when located along the flexible portion the flexible distal portion of the catheter body takes the shape of the curved section a cutter assembly located at the distal end of the catheter body, the cutter assembly comprising a housing having at least one opening and a cutter having at least one cutting surface configured to rotate relative to the housing, where movement between the housing opening and the cutting surface removes material located therebetween; a rotating shaft extending through the catheter body and coupled to the cutter, the torque shaft having a proximal end adapted to couple to a first rotating mechanism; and where on advancement of the curved section of the steering member out of the distal portion of the sheath, the curved section reshapes the catheter body.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 53 words
51 . The device of claim 50 , where the deflecting member comprises a mandrel slidably located in the catheter body and extendable out of a distal opening of the catheter body, where upon extending out of the distal opening to push against tissue to deflect the distal end of the catheter body.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 52 words
52 . The device of claim 50 , where a portion of the housing comprises a curved surface and the opening forms a plane across the curved surface such that as the cutting surface rotates across the opening, a portion of the cutting surface extends out of the housing through the opening.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 25 words
53 . The device of claim 50 , where the torque shaft and cutter each have a lumen allowing for advancement of a guidewire therethrough.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 24 words
54 . The device of claim 50 , cutter comprises a plurality of flutes and the cutting surface is an edge of the flute.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 16 words
55 . The device of claim 54 , where the edge of the flute is helical.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 38 words
56 . The device of claim 54 , where each flute is arranged relative to the openings in the housing such that during a total length of the cutting surface exposed in the housing opening remains the same.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 24 words
57 . The device of claim 50 , further including a ferrule linking the housing to the said outer tube on the catheter body.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 38 words
58 . The device of claim 50 , where the shaft has at least one helical conveyor member wound about an exterior such that rotation of the torque shaft conveys material across a length of the torque shaft.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 27 words
59 . The device of claim 50 , where the helical conveyor member is wound in the same rotational sense as the helical flutes on the cutter
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 18 words
60 . The device of claim 50 , where a guide-wire portion is fixedly attached to the cutter.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim 23 words
61 . The device of claim 50 , where the deflecting member comprises a wire extending along a length of the flexible catheter.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim 21 words
62 . The device of claim 50 , further comprising a burr rotatably located on a tip of the cutter assembly.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim 87 words
63 . A method for debulking material within a totally or partially occluded blood vessel, the method comprising: inserting a catheter body having a cutter assembly within the blood vessel; rotating the cutter assembly to remove the material and form a first opening in the body lumen; deflecting the first cutter assembly relative to an axis of the catheter body; rotating the catheter body while rotating the cutter assembly to form a second opening in the body lumen where the second is larger than the first opening.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim 87 words
63 . A method for debulking material within a totally or partially occluded blood vessel, the method comprising: inserting a catheter body having a cutter assembly within the blood vessel; rotating the cutter assembly to remove the material and form a first opening in the body lumen; deflecting the first cutter assembly relative to an axis of the catheter body; rotating the catheter body while rotating the cutter assembly to form a second opening in the body lumen where the second is larger than the first opening.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim 35 words
64 . The method of claim 63 , further comprising providing a burr surface on a distal end of the catheter body, and grinding a hardened material in the blood vessel with the burr surface.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim 40 words
65 . The method of claim 63 , where the cutter assembly comprises at least one cutter edge, where the cutter edge protrudes beyond an outer surface of a housing surrounding the cutter assembly to cut tissue outside the housing
Claim 70
Dependent Claim 30 words
66 . The method of claim 63 , where, the cutter is rotated such that only a partial number of cutter edges are aligned with the openings in the housing.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim 34 words
67 . The method of claim 63 , where the catheter body includes a guidewire lumen and where inserting the catheter body within the blood vessel comprises advancing the catheter body over a guidewire.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim 23 words
68 . The method of claim 63 , where the catheter head is deflected by a deflecting sheath coupled to the catheter body.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim 23 words
69 . The method of claim 68 , where the deflecting sheath is rotated to orient the deflected tip in the desired direction.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim 43 words
70 . The method of claim 63 , where the catheter head is deflected by a pre-shaped mandrel slidably located in the catheter body, where at least the distal end the catheter body assumes the shape of the pre-shaped mandrel when advanced therein.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim 42 words
71 . The method of claim 63 , where the catheter head is deflected by,a pre-shaped tube slidably located in the catheter body, where at least the distal end the catheter body assumes the shape of the pre-shaped mandrel when advanced therein
Claim 76
Dependent Claim 23 words
72 . The method of claim 63 , where deflecting the catheter body comprises advancing a pre-curved sheath distally along the catheter body.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim 26 words
73 . The method of claim 63 , where the catheter tip is deflected by positioning the offset curve on the wire near the catheter tip.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim 37 words
74 . The method of claim 63 , where deflecting the cutter assembly relative to the axis of the catheter body further includes locking the cutter assembly in position relative to the axis of the catheter body.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim 36 words
75 . The method of claim 63 , where a distal portion of the catheter body includes at least one fluid port coupled to a fluid source, and further comprising delivering fluid through the fluid port.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim 19 words
76 . The method of claim 63 , further comprising withdrawing fluid and the material through the cutter assembly.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim 32 words
77 . The method of claim 76 , further comprising providing a helical conveyor member within the catheter body and transporting the debris material out of the body via helical conveyor member.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim 44 words
78 . The method of claim 63 , further comprising providing a guidewire through the cutter assembly, where the guidewire includes a fluid delivery lumen terminating in a guidewire fluid delivery port, the method further comprising delivering fluid through the guidewire fluid delivery port
Claim 83
Dependent Claim 106 words
79 . A vascular device for removing material from body lumens, the device comprising: a catheter body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a steering tube having varying stiffness along its circumference at the distal portion; a cutter assembly located at the distal end of the catheter body, the cutter assembly comprising a housing having at least one opening and a cutter having at least one cutting surface configured to rotate relative to the housing, where movement between the housing opening and the cutting surface removes material located there between; and the distal portion of the steering tube is attached to the cutter assembly.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim 106 words
79 . A vascular device for removing material from body lumens, the device comprising: a catheter body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a steering tube having varying stiffness along its circumference at the distal portion; a cutter assembly located at the distal end of the catheter body, the cutter assembly comprising a housing having at least one opening and a cutter having at least one cutting surface configured to rotate relative to the housing, where movement between the housing opening and the cutting surface removes material located there between; and the distal portion of the steering tube is attached to the cutter assembly.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim 21 words
80 . A device of claim 79 , where tension on the steering tube deflects the distal portion of the catheter
Claim 86
Dependent Claim 21 words
81 . A device of claim 79 , where compression of the steering tube deflects the distal portion of the catheter.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim 43 words
82 . A vascular device for circulation of fluid for contrast, the device comprising: a support catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end containing at least one port on the surface for injection or aspiration of fluid.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim 43 words
82 . A vascular device for circulation of fluid for contrast, the device comprising: a support catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end containing at least one port on the surface for injection or aspiration of fluid.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim 22 words
83 . The device of claim 82 , where the support catheter body contains a mechanism to position itself within the vessel.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim 16 words
84 . The device of claim 83 , where the mechanism is at least one balloon.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim 16 words
85 . The device of claim 83 , where the mechanism is at least one basket.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim 16 words
86 . The device of claim 83 , where the mechanism is at least one coil.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim 16 words
87 . The device of claim 83 , where the mechanism is at least one leg.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim 16 words
88 . The device of claim 83 , where the mechanism is at least one loop.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim 28 words
89 . The device of claim 82 , where the support catheter body comprises a shoulder at the distal end that acts as a stop for a cutter.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim 16 words
90 . The device of claim 82 , where the support catheter comprises an atraumatic tip.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim 36 words
91 . The device of claim 83 , where the expanding member is configured to expand asymmetrically to angle the distal aspect of the support catheter relative to the proximal axis of the proximal vessel lumen.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim 66 words
92 . A device for supporting a catheter within a lumen of the body comprising: a proximal and a distal end; a central lumen; an expandable member near a distal portion of the device, where the member is configured to expand to position the centerline of the device at its distal end at some angular rotation and position relative to the centerline of the body lumen.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim 66 words
92 . A device for supporting a catheter within a lumen of the body comprising: a proximal and a distal end; a central lumen; an expandable member near a distal portion of the device, where the member is configured to expand to position the centerline of the device at its distal end at some angular rotation and position relative to the centerline of the body lumen.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim 44 words
93 . A device for debulking material in an occluded body lumen, the device comprising: a support catheter with a proximal and a distal end; a coring cutter with a mechanism that enables it to create a lumen through a fibrous or calcific cap.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim 44 words
93 . A device for debulking material in an occluded body lumen, the device comprising: a support catheter with a proximal and a distal end; a coring cutter with a mechanism that enables it to create a lumen through a fibrous or calcific cap.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim 42 words
94 . The device of claim 93 , where the support catheter comprises a support catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end containing at least one port on the surface for injection or aspiration of fluid.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim 21 words
95 . The device of claim 93 , where the support catheter contains a mechanism to position itself within the vessel.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim 29 words
96 . The device of claim 93 , where the support catheter body comprises a shoulder at the distal end that acts as a stop for the coring cutter.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim 31 words
97 . The device of claim 93 , where the coring cutter comprises a shoulder at the distal end that allows it to stop against the shoulder of the support catheter.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim 23 words
98 . The device of claim 93 , where the coring cutter comprises a sharp edge at its tip at the distal end.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim 15 words
99 . The device of claim 93 , where the coring cutter comprises helical flutes.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim 15 words
100 . The device of claim 93 , where the coring cutter comprises helical grooves.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim 85 words
101 . A method for circulating fluid for contrast, the method comprising: inserting the support catheter within the blood vessel, where the support catheter comprises a support catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end containing at least one port on the surface for injection or aspiration of fluid; injecting the fluid for contrast through a lumen or port in the support catheter body; and aspirating the fluid for contrast into a lumen or port in the support catheter body.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim 85 words
101 . A method for circulating fluid for contrast, the method comprising: inserting the support catheter within the blood vessel, where the support catheter comprises a support catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end containing at least one port on the surface for injection or aspiration of fluid; injecting the fluid for contrast through a lumen or port in the support catheter body; and aspirating the fluid for contrast into a lumen or port in the support catheter body.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim 31 words
102 . The method of claim Error! Reference source not found., where the support catheter is centered within the blood vessel using at least one basket or at least one balloon.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim 73 words
103 . The method of claim Error! Reference source not found., further comprising: inserting a catheter body having a coring cutter assembly within the blood vessel; driving the coring cutter assembly through the tough fibrous cap in the vessel to form a first body opening in the vessel; removing the coring cutter assembly from the body; inserting a second cutter assembly with a guidewire, where the guidewire is inserted through the first opening.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim 22 words
104 . The method of claim 103 , where the coring cutter assembly contains a shoulder that rests upon the support catheter.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim 26 words
105 . The method of 103 , where the coring cutter assembly comprises a helical groove or cylinder to drive itself through the tough fibrous cap.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim 26 words
105 . The method of 103 , where the coring cutter assembly comprises a helical groove or cylinder to drive itself through the tough fibrous cap.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim 21 words
106 . The method of claim 103 , where the coring cutter collects the cored-out portion of the tough fibrous cap.

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