Covidien LP

John Pedersen

Benjamin R Fruland

Thomas John McPeak

Scott Petersen

Ethan Andrew Guggenheimer

Daniel J Vreeman

Alexander J Rice

Zachary Thomas Garvey

Cassandra Nigh

Lindsay Ann Crescenzo

Robert Van Pelt

Thomas Mcpeak

Lindsay Crescenzo

Bryan Ladd

Ethan Andrew Guggenhelmer

A deployment mechanism of a tissue-removing catheter includes a socket member received in a catheter body that is capable of moving longitudinally therein, and a ball member extending distally from the distal end portion of the cutting element and operatively connected to the socket member. The ball member is constrained axially relative to the socket member and is capable of pivoting relative to the socket member for allowing pivoting of the cutting element relative to the socket when the cutting element is moved from a retracted position to a cutting position.

Tissue-removing catheter with ball and socket deployment mechanism

Catheters and methods for removing material from (or 'debulking') a body lumen while imaging the region comprised of the material are provided. The catheters can be used in body lumens, including but not limited to intravascular lumens such as coronary or peripheral arteries. The catheters include housings or other structures to mount or protect an imaging transducer. Generally, debulking catheters include a proximal portion, a distal portion having an opening, a cutting element which may be exposed through the opening to contact material in a body lumen and an imaging transducer with associated circuitry and display. The catheter debulks a body lumen when it is moved while the cutting element is in contact with the material in the lumen and the region comprised of the material is imaged before, after, or during catheter movement.

Flexible debulking catheters with imaging and methods of use and manufacture

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Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

John Pedersen