A surgical atherectomy apparatus for removing particles such as plaque from an interior of a vessel has an outer housing (12) and a motor housing (32) positioned within the outer housing and slidable axially between a proximal position and a distal position. An axially fixed sheath (14, 54) extends from the outer housing and a catheter (16, 56, 74, 94) is connected to the motor housing and is positioned within the sheath. A rotatable shaft (18, 58, 78, 98) is positioned within the lumen of the catheter and is operatively connected to the motor for rotational movement, the rotatable shaft and catheter movable by movement of the motor housing between the proximal and distal positions. The rotatable shaft has an atherectomy bit (20, 60, 80, 100) extending therefrom for dislodgement of particles when rotated by the motor and dislodged particles are aspirated in the lumen of the catheter.
