VALVULOTOME AND METHOD FOR MAKING AND USING SAME

摘要

A valvulotome (10) for disrupting a valve in a vein includes an elongate control member (14) and a cutting head (12) disposed at the distal end of the control member. The cutting head includes an elongate section (103) extending generally along the length of the cutting head. A cutting section (114) included in the cutting head extends between the elongate section and the return section (115) at a particular angle (alpha) to the length of the control member. Portions (116, 118) of this cutting section form a proximally facing cutting edge (114) for disrupting the valve. The valvulotome (10) can be used with an endoscope (132) in a method wherein the cutting head is tied to the endoscope (132) with a suture, or a method wherein the valvulotome is back loaded into the working channel of the endoscope.