Method and apparatus for surgically removing remote deposits

An apparatus for opening a restriction formed of material inside a vessel within a living being, said vessel being formed of a tubular wall of tissue and having a longitudinal axis extending down its length, the inside diameter of said vessel being substantially smaller than its length, said apparatus comprising:

• an elongated catheter having a longitudinal axis and a distal portion including movable working means located thereat, said catheter being flexible to conform to the tortuosity of said vessel to enable said catheter to be readily slid down said vessel along the axis thereof to the position wherein said movable working means is located adjacent said restriction, said movable working means including an end portion arranged to be rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof by means located within said catheter, means for supplying a fluid through said catheter to said end portion as said end portion is rotated about said axis and advanced into said material, said last mentioned means being arranged to cause said fluid to flow outward with respect to said axis all the while said end portion is rotating to supply positive pressure to said vessel adjacent said end portion to cause said vessel to move slightly outward radially with respect to the axis thereof, whereupon said restriction is opened, said positive pressure also acting to prevent damage to the tissue making up said vessel as said restriction is opened.

An apparatus for opening a restriction formed of material inside a vessel within a living being, said vessel being formed of a tubular wall of tissue and having a longitudinal axis extending down its length, the inside diameter of said vessel being substantially smaller than its length, said apparatus comprising:

• an elongated catheter having a longitudinal axis and a distal portion including movable working means located thereat, said catheter being flexible to conform to the tortuosity of said vessel to enable said catheter to be readily slid down said vessel along the axis thereof to the position wherein said movable working means is located adjacent said restriction, said movable working means including an end portion arranged to be rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof by means located within said catheter, means for supplying a fluid through said catheter to said end portion as said end portion is rotated about said axis and advanced into said material, said last mentioned means being arranged to cause said fluid to flow outward with respect to said axis all the while said end portion is rotating to supply positive pressure to said vessel adjacent said end portion to cause said vessel to move slightly outward radially with respect to the axis thereof, whereupon said restriction is opened, said positive pressure also acting to prevent damage to the tissue making up said vesesl as said restriction is opened, and said catheter further comprises a proximal portion and a first passage extending through said catheter from the proximal portion to the distal portion, said passage carrying a first fluid to said working means to cause the rotation thereof.