Atherectomy device having trapping and excising means for removal of plaque from the aorta and other arteries

A method for removing plaque from the aorta or other arteries of a patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing an arterial catheter system comprising a flexible elongate member having an outer surface, a distal region adapted to enter an artery, a proximal region, a filtration system, and an atherectomy assembly disposed within the distal region of the elongate member, the atherectomy assembly comprising means for plaque removal and trapping means;
• introducing the distal region of the arterial catheter into a region of interest within the patient's artery, through an incision in the femoral or brachial artery;
• imaging the region of interest within the patient's artery;
• deploying the filtration system downstream of the plaque within the artery,
• contacting the atherectomy assembly with the plaque within the artery, wherein the plaque is trapped and held by the atherectomy assembly by use of the trapping means;
• excising the plaque from the artery by operating the means for plaque removal while simultaneously operating the trapping means to secure the plaque;
• and
• removing the arterial catheter system and the plaque entrapped therein from the region of interest and the femoral artery.

An arterial catheter system for removing plaque from the aorta, said catheter system comprising in combination:

• a flexible elongate member having an outer surface, a distal region adapted to enter an artery, and a proximal region;
• an atherectomy assembly disposed within the distal region of the elongate member and comprising means for plaque removal, securement means for securing plaque for removal, and wherein during use said plaque is held by said securement means while excised from the arterial lumen by the means for plaque removal;
• and
• a filtration means on the elongate member movable between a contracted condition and an enlarged condition, said filtration means being located within the distal region of the elongate member and downstream of said atherectomy assembly to capture any embolic material.