The present invention is an
atherectomy catheter with a hollow head. The head has a window with at least one internal bladed edge, a
plunger, and an adjustable angle
nose. The angle of the
nose can be manipulated by the operator to apply pressure to an
artery wall, thereby forcing the window and the window
cutting edge up against a plaque target on the opposite side of the
artery wall. The position of the
plunger can be manipulated by the operator to open or close the window, thereby exposing or not exposing the bladed window edge, and optionally also pinching off dangling plaque fragments.
Cut plaque enters the hollow
catheter head through the open window, and is stored inside the
catheter for removal from the body and subsequent analysis. In some embodiments, the catheter head may have optional sensors, or the
plunger may also serve as a rotary cutter.