Drilling guidewire for treating chronic total occlusion

摘要

A rotational drilling guidewire includes an elongate body portion and a drilling portion. The drilling portion has multiple cutting elements and is sized to bore an opening having a diameter substantially the same as that of the elongate body portion. A system for treating a vascular condition includes a rotational drilling guidewire and a rotator. The rotator is capable of rotating the guidewire at speeds greater than can be achieved by manual rotation of the guidewire. A method of treating an occluded vessel comprises delivering a guide catheter adjacent to an occlusion, passing a drilling guidewire through the guide catheter to a position abutting the occlusion, rotating the guidewire to bore an opening the same diameter as the guidewire through the occlusion.