Atherectomy device

1. A surgical atherectomy apparatus for removing particles such as plaque from an interior of a vessel, the apparatus comprising:

an outer housing;

a motor housing positioned within the outer housing and containing a motor therein, the motor housing slidable axially between a proximal position and a distal position;

an axially fixed sheath extending distally from the outer housing;

a catheter connected to the motor housing and having a lumen extending therein, the catheter positioned within the axially fixed sheath, the catheter slidable within the lumen of the axially fixed sheath from a first retracted position to a second extended position, the lumen terminating in a distal opening aligned with a longitudinal axis of the catheter; and

a rotatable shaft positioned within the lumen of the catheter and operatively connected to the motor for rotational movement with respect to the catheter, the rotatable shaft and catheter movable together in an axial direction by axial movement of the motor housing between the proximal and distal positions, the rotatable shaft having an atherectomy bit extending therefrom and axially fixed thereto for dislodgement of particles when the atherectomy bit is rotated by the motor about its axis, the atherectomy bit exposed from the catheter such that a proximal edge of the atherectomy bit is spaced distally of a distal edge of the catheter in both the retracted and extended positions of the catheter and positioned distal of the distal opening of the catheter in the retracted and extended positions of the catheter, wherein the motor housing moves the catheter and rotatable shaft a same distance so the atherectomy bit extends a first distance from the distal opening of the catheter in the proximal position of the motor housing and extends the same first distance from the distal opening of the catheter in the distal position of the motor housing and extends a third distance from a distal end of the axially fixed sheath in the retracted position of the catheter and extends a fourth distance from the distal end of the axially fixed sheath in the extended position of the catheter, the fourth distance being greater than the third distance, the distance of the bit from the distal opening of the catheter remaining constant during rotation of the bit to dislodge particles;

wherein particles dislodged by the rotatable atherectomy bit are aspirated through the distal opening in the catheter and the lumen of the catheter in a space between an outer wall of the rotatable shaft and an inner wall of the catheter.

2. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the particles are aspirated by a vacuum through a tube extending from an outlet port of the catheter.

3. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable shaft includes a series of screw threads positioned thereon, and particles are aspirated by rotation of the rotatable shaft.

4. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rotatable shaft has a threaded region to direct deposits proximally as the rotatable shaft is rotated.

5. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the outer housing has first and second rails positioned therein, and the motor housing is moved along the rails when moved between the proximal and distal positions.

6. The surgical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a distal portion of the catheter is exposed from the axially fixed sheath in the retracted and extended positions of the catheter.