Catheter assembly with plaque cutting balloon

A method for breaking down a restriction in a blood vessel of a patient, comprising:

• providing a balloon catheter assembly for insertion into said vessel, said balloon catheter assembly comprising an elongate catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon secured to a distal portion of said catheter shaft, said balloon having a plurality of cutters fixedly disposed in respective generally parallel longitudinal rows along an outer surface of said balloon, said cutters being shielded by folds of the balloon when said balloon is in an uninflated condition, and being arranged and configured to facilitate a breakdown of said restriction when said balloon is in an inflated condition;
• inserting the distal end of the balloon catheter assembly into said vessel, and advancing the assembly in the vessel with the balloon in an uninflated condition until said uninflated balloon reaches said restriction;
• inflating the balloon such that said cutters penetrate said restriction;
• deflating said balloon;
• and
• withdrawing said balloon catheter assembly from said vessel.