A VENOUS VALVE CUTTER FOR THE INCISION OF VALVE LEAFLETS IN SITU

摘要

A blade (7) is driven by means of a rod (6) fixed at the center of its cutting edge (9) so that a portion of the blade extends from each side of the stem. An elongated centering device (1) precedes the blade (7) and the protective housing (10) so as to prevent the penetration of the device into the lateral branches of the vein. A catheter (14) follows the valve blade so as to introduce fluid into the vein to cause closing of the valves ahead of the cutting device. The assembly is driven through a vein by a rod (5) having a sufficient torsional stiffness to allow to control the orientation of the blade and obtain effective engagement and cutting of the valve leaflets.