Tissue-removing catheter

A tissue-removing catheter for removing tissue in a body lumen, the tissue-removing catheter comprising:

• a tube extending axially along the catheter;
• a junction box housing located at a distal end of the tube;
• an elongate body extending distally from the junction box housing, the elongate body being sized and shaped to be received in the body lumen;
• a gear assembly disposed in the junction box housing, the gear assembly engaging the elongate body for rotating the elongate body;
• and
• a tissue-removing element comprising one of an abrasive surface or a cutting element mounted on a distal end portion of the elongate body, the tissue-removing element being configured to remove the tissue as the tissue-removing element is rotated by the elongate body within the body lumen;
• wherein the junction box housing comprises a rigid center portion generally surrounding the gear assembly, and flexible proximal and distal end portions.