摘要 |
A flexible catheter for opening obstructions in blood vessels comprises a coil spring rotatably mounted in the end of a hollow tube. The spring is driven off center by a flexible wire drive shaft that is an extension of the coil spring. The end turn of the coil spring forms a cutting edge. A thin, flexible wire guide is affixed to the outside of the hollow tube adjacent to the coil spring and extends in front of the cutting edge. The wire guide has a free end that passes back into the coil spring and hollow tube. The wire guide follows the orientation of the blood vessel and guides the coil spring.
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