Dilatation catheter assembly with cutting element and method of using the same

摘要

A dilatation catheter assembly is set forth which permits dilatation and incision of tissue whereby trauma and damage to the tissue due to uncontrolled tearing is reduced or eliminated. The assembly comprises an elongated tubular body having a distal end that carries a dilatation bladder and cutting element carried on the exterior of the bladder and that moves radially in concert with the exterior of the bladder as the bladder is inflated and deflated. The bladder is not linearly extensible and is extensible only to a specified volume and/or the cutting element utilized is a radio frequency cutting element.