ABLATION DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

According to the invention, a novelty improved ablation device includes releasably joinable drive and catheter assemblies. The drive assembly includes a tachometer assembly and a regulator for monitoring and controlling ablating burr speed. A bifurcated drive shaft includes a coiled distal portion and a tubular proximal portion for facilitating force transfer from the proximal portion to the distal portion. A dilating member is provided in addition to an ablating burr on the catheter assembly. The catheter tube may have multiple independent lumens having axes of elongation offset parallelly in the tube. Additionally, the ablating burr may be operatively connected to the catheter tube by drive gears or releasable threads. A radiopaque member is included on the distal end of the catheter tube, thereby rendering it visible to an observer. Novel, improved methods of ablating intravascular deposits are also provided.