APPARATUS FOR PERCUTANEOUSLY PERFORMING MYOCARDIAL REVASCULARIZATION HAVING CONTROLLED CUTTING DEPTH AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

Apparatus (20), and methods for precutaneously performing myocardial revascularization are provided using a catheter (21) having an end region that is directed to contact a patient's endocardium at a plurality of positions. A cutting head (28) is disposed within a lumen (31) of the catheter (23), and coupled to a drive tube (32) that rotates and reciprocates the drive shaft (26). One or more stabilizing elements are disposed on the distal end to retain the catheter in position when the cutting head is actuated. The cutting head and drive tube include a lumen through which severed tissue is aspirated. Mechanisms are provided for controlling the maximum extension of the cutting head beyond a distal endface of the catheter, independent of the degree of tortuosity imposed on the catheter. Mechanisms and methods also are provided for providing the operator with information to assess the desirability of treating a proposed site.