The transluminal extraction catheter is similar to other catheter-based devices for removing obstructions from the coronary arteries. Referred to as TEC, the transluminal extraction catheter, however, differs in its design, which features a conical cutting head that has two blades.

A motor turns the catheter for cutting and a vacuum bottle evacuates the debris that has been cut from the obstruction. This technique may be used by itself or in combination with other catheter-based devices to achieve the best possible treatment of specific and different types of problems.