A medical device is disclosed for cutting an object in a living body lumen. The medical device includes a rotatable elongate member, rotating member having a cutting portion cutting the object and disposed on the distal end side of the elongate member for rotating together with rotation of the elongate member; and a distal member having a guide portion disposed on the distal end side of the rotating member with a space left from the rotating member and a supporting portion which supports the guide portion and defines a dimension of the space in an axial direction of the elongate member. The guide portion is disposed at a position at which the guide portion overlaps with part of the cutting portion and exposes part of the cutting portion as viewed from the distal end side of the distal member.

A hollow rod developable actuator tool including a first link comprising an outer cylinder, a second link comprising a first tool member pivotably connected to the first link at a first joint mounted in a first cavity in the wall of the outer cylinder, a third link comprising a second tool member pivotably connected to the first tool member at a second link, and a fourth link comprising an inner cylinder to which the second tool member is also pivotably connected at a third link mounted in a second cavity in the wall of the inner cylinder. When the inner cylinder of the fourth link is rotated in relation to the outer cylinder of the first link the actuator tool transitions from a first state where the tool is closed to a second state where the tool is open.

A medical device to be inserted into a body lumen to obstruct flow in the body lumen includes a shaft unit; a proximal slider and a distal slider that are slidable along the shaft unit; a first expanding member including a distal portion coupled to the proximal slider and a proximal portion coupled to the shaft unit; a second expanding member including a distal portion coupled to the distal slider and a proximal portion coupled to the proximal slider; and a cover that surrounds an outer periphery of the first expanding member and coupled to the proximal portion of the first expanding member, the cover being tubular and flexibly deformable independently of the first expanding member.

A medical device and a treatment method are disclosed, which can improve safety by reducing damage to a biological tissue while an object inside a biological lumen can be cut. A medical device is disclosed for cutting an object inside a biological lumen includes a rotatable drive shaft, and a rotary structure that interlocks with a distal side of the drive shaft so as to be rotated by the drive shaft. The rotary structure has a cutting portion for cutting the object, and a non-cutting portion capable of smoothly coming into contact with a biological tissue. The non-cutting portion is located in a maximum outer diameter portion of the rotary structure.

A retrieval catheter and methods of use are described for removing a heart valve therapy such as a leaflet clip or artificial leaflet cord. The retrieval catheter can include a cutting element and a basket, piercing element, clamping mechanism, or similar grasping device. The method includes delivering a catheter to the region of the heart valve therapy and then manipulating the catheter and associated instruments to cut tissue as necessary and then remove the heart valve therapy and withdraw the catheter.

The disclosed system includes a probe for mechanically cutting tissue Other components of the system include a luminally protective sheath, a microscopic end cauterizing probe, a surgical console, an identification-sensitive self-sealed cassette, and a plurality of flexible tubing lines with pinch valves thereon.

A tissue removal device and method of using the device to remove tissue from a patient is provided. The tissue removal device comprises a tissue removal probe and a sheath slideable relative to the probe. The probe has a tissue removal element, and the sheath has a portion that exposes the tissue removal element. The sheath distal end may be pre-shaped to bend when slid distal to the probe. The probe may have a window through which the tissue removal element is exposed.

Drive shafts having helical blades and methods of making are disclosed. In one method a helical auger blade is formed by twisting or sculpting a heated polymer tube which has been placed over a cylindrical drive shaft. In another method a drive shaft is placed within a helical winding and heat is applied to melt polymer which has been coated over one or both of the drive shaft and helical winding.

A device suitable for removing material from a living being is provided, featuring at least an aspiration pump, powered by a motor. The aspiration pump and any optional infusate pump preferably feature a helical pumping mechanism, and operate at a high rate of rotation, thereby ensuring adequate pumping performance and flexibility. The helical pumping mechanism may be a helical coiled wire about a central core tube. The helical coil wire, whether together with, or independent of, the core tube, may be rotated to cause a pumping action. Additionally, a narrow crossing profile is maintained, ensuring that the device may reach more tortuous regions of the vasculature. In one embodiment, the system comprises a wire-guided mono-rail catheter with a working head mounted on a flexible portion of the catheter that can laterally displace away from the guide wire to facilitate thrombus removal. The working head may be operated to separate and move away from the guide wire to come within a closer proximity of the obstructive material to more effectively remove it from the vessel.

An arthroscopic system includes a re-useable, sterilizable handle integrated with a single umbilical cable or conduit. The single umbilical cable or conduit carries electrical power from a power and/or control console to the handle for operating both a motor drive unit within the handle and delivering the RF power to a disposable RF probe or cutter which may be detachably connected to the handle. The RF power delivered to the handle and on to the probe or cutter is typically bi-polar, where the handle includes first and second electrical bi-polar contacts that couple to corresponding bi-polar electrical contacts on a hub of the disposable RF probe or cutter is connected to the handle.