A Heart Plaque Removal Tool That Cuts Both Ways
This patent describes a medical device for clearing blocked arteries that can cut away plaque both forwards and backwards using a single tool, while giving the doctor consistent feedback.
Original patent title: “Atherectomy system adapted to enable retrograde ablation”
This patent describes a medical device for clearing blocked arteries that can cut away plaque both forwards and backwards using a single tool, while giving the doctor consistent feedback. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This atherectomy system is designed to remove plaque from inside blood vessels. It uses a single atherectomy tool that has a cutting part at its tip (distal region) for forward-moving ablation (anterograde) and another cutting part further back (proximal region) for backward-moving ablation (retrograde). A handle lets the doctor move an actuation member in one direction to cut forward and in a second direction to cut backward. The clever part is that the system is built to give the doctor the same feeling or feedback, no matter which direction the tool is cutting, as stated in the abstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover atherectomy systems that require two separate tools for anterograde and retrograde plaque removal.
- Does not cover systems where the doctor receives different tactile feedback when the tool is cutting in different directions.
- Does not cover atherectomy tools that can only remove plaque in one direction, either forward or backward.
- Does not cover systems that lack a drive coil or a proximal handle with an actuation member for controlling the tool.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The truly novel aspect is combining both forward (anterograde) and backward (retrograde) plaque removal capabilities into a single atherectomy tool, while ensuring the doctor gets the exact same tactile feedback regardless of the cutting direction. This simplifies the procedure and improves control.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Rotational atherectomy devices
Directional atherectomy catheters
Orbital atherectomy systems
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Atherectomy is a procedure to remove plaque that builds up in arteries, which can lead to serious health problems like heart attacks or strokes. Having a single tool that can effectively clear blockages in both directions could make these procedures faster and potentially more complete. It could also simplify the process for doctors by providing consistent control and feel.
Filed
August 23, 2022
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major medical device companies like Boston Scientific, Abbott Laboratories, and Cardiovascular Systems Inc. (CSI) are active in developing and manufacturing atherectomy systems. These companies continuously innovate to improve the safety and effectiveness of plaque removal devices, often focusing on features like bidirectional cutting and improved user feedback.
Market impact
This type of innovation aims to streamline atherectomy procedures, potentially reducing the need for multiple tools and shortening procedure times. By offering consistent tactile feedback, it could enhance physician control and confidence, leading to better patient outcomes. Such advancements contribute to the ongoing evolution of minimally invasive vascular interventions, pushing the market towards more versatile and user-friendly devices.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This atherectomy system is designed to remove plaque from inside blood vessels. It uses a single atherectomy tool that has a cutting part at its tip (distal region) for forward-moving ablation (anterograde) and another cutting part further back (proximal region) for backward-moving ablation (retrograde). A handle lets the doctor move an actuation member in one direction to cut forward and in a second direction to cut backward. The clever part is that the system is built to give the doctor the same feeling or feedback, no matter which direction the tool is cutting, as stated in the abstract.
The clever bit
The truly novel aspect is combining both forward (anterograde) and backward (retrograde) plaque removal capabilities into a single atherectomy tool, while ensuring the doctor gets the exact same tactile feedback regardless of the cutting direction. This simplifies the procedure and improves control.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover atherectomy systems that require two separate tools for anterograde and retrograde plaque removal.
- Does not cover systems where the doctor receives different tactile feedback when the tool is cutting in different directions.
- Does not cover atherectomy tools that can only remove plaque in one direction, either forward or backward.
- Does not cover systems that lack a drive coil or a proximal handle with an actuation member for controlling the tool.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 15.9 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). A Heart Plaque Removal Tool That Cuts Both Ways (U.S. Patent No. 12,733,952). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733952/atherectomy-system-adapted-to-enable-retrograde-ablation
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does A Heart Plaque Removal Tool That Cuts Both Ways cover?
This patent describes a medical device for clearing blocked arteries that can cut away plaque both forwards and backwards using a single tool, while giving the doctor consistent feedback.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Atherectomy is a procedure to remove plaque that builds up in arteries, which can lead to serious health problems like heart attacks or strokes. Having a single tool that can effectively clear blockages in both directions could make these procedures faster and potentially more complete. It could also simplify the process for doctors by providing consistent control and feel.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover atherectomy systems that require two separate tools for anterograde and retrograde plaque removal.
Patent monitoring