| abstract |
A cutting device for use with a balloon angioplasty catheter of the type having a catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon disposed at a distal portion of the catheter shaft. The cutting device includes a generally cylindrical sleeve sized for mounting on the uninflated balloon. The sleeve is radially expandable upon inflation of the balloon, and includes a plurality of generally curved cut-out portions and raised portions. The raised portions are arranged such that they project radially outwardly from the outer surface of the sleeve, and are sized such that they cuttingly engage plaque deposits encountered upon inflation of the balloon during use of the balloon angioplasty catheter. |