Lumen tracking atherectomy system.

摘要

An atherectomy system (10) for opening an obstructed vessel (13) comprising a helically shaped flexible guide-wire assembly (140) insertable into the vessel and having a trapezoidal cross section which narrows in width with increasing radial distance from the center of the helical portion, and a flexible catheter (21) slidable over the flexible guide-wire and having a blade (22) at its distal end. <IMAGE>