US Patent 10463390 Atherectomy devices and methods

Rotational atherectomy devices and systems can remove or reduce stenotic lesions in blood vessels by rotating one or more abrasive elements within the vessel. The abrasive elements are attached to a distal portion of an elongate flexible drive shaft that extends from a handle assembly that includes a driver for rotating the drive shaft. In particular implementations, individual abrasive elements are attached to the drive shaft at differing radial angles in comparison to each other (e.g., configured in a helical array). The centers of mass of the abrasive elements can define a path that spirals around the drive shaft in a direction that is opposite to the wind direction of filars of the drive shaft, and opposite to the direction of rotation. In some embodiments, a concentric abrasive tip member is affixed to and extends distally from a distal-most end of the drive shaft.