Methods and devices for cutting tissue

A device for cutting tissue, comprising:

• an elongate body;
• a rotatable cutting element, the rotatable cutting element being coupled to a torque transmitting element which extends through the elongate body;
• and
• a movable cover coupled to the body, the cover being movable from a stored position, in which the rotatable cutting element is covered by the cover, to a working position, in which at least part of the rotatable cutting element is exposed.

A method of removing material from a vascular location, comprising the steps of:

• providing a cutting device having an elongate body and a rotatable cutting element, the elongate body having an opening therein, the rotatable cutting element being coupled to a torque transmitting element which extends through the elongate body, the elongate body having a deformable portion;
• advancing the cutting device through a patient's vascular system, the cutting element being in a stored position in which the cutting element is not exposed;
• deforming the deformable portion after the advancing step;
• and
• moving the cutting element and the opening through the vascular system with the cutting element being in a working position, wherein at least part of the rotatable cutting element is exposed to cut tissue which is directed through the opening.

A device for cutting tissue, comprising:

• an elongate body movable between a stored position and working position, the elongate body having an opening in the working position;
• a rotatable cutting element, the rotatable cutting element being coupled to a torque transmitting element which extends through the elongate body, the cutting element directing material cut by the cutting element through the opening;
• a first pivot point on the elongate body on one side of the rotatable cutting element;
• and
• a second pivot point on the other side of the rotatable cutting element.