Flexible-agitator system and method

Abstract

A rotary flexible-agitator system for removing an obstruction from within a patient's vessel that is comprised of a tubular-housing with suction connected to its proximal end, and a motor-driven, rotary, flexible agitator-shaft with an offset distal-agitator disposed in the housing and the offset distal-agitator extending out of the open distal end of the housing. The offset distal-agitator is adapted to break the obstruction in the vessel to pieces while the suction draws the pieces into the housing, where the relative motion between the flexible-agitator and the housing reduces the longitudinal frictional forces between the pieces, the rotary flexible agitator-shaft and the tubular-housing, and where the relative motion between the rotary flexible agitator-shaft and the tubular-housing further breaks the pieces as they pass through the tubular-housing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.