LASER CUTTING SYSTEM

• US 20100193482A1
• Filed: 02/03/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Webler, William E., Ow, Rodney C., Von Oepen, Randolf
• Granted Patent: US 8,530,783 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/121.67
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/38 by boring or cutting

Abstract

A laser cutting system including a chamber configured to provide a controlled environment while the laser is being used to cut a pattern into a material to reduce or eliminate heat and oxygen related changes to the mechanical characteristics of the material. A system for providing a gas to the controlled environment within the chamber, as well as a means for exhausting gas and cutting debris from the chamber is also described. A cutting mandrel that provides for flow of a shielding gas and also provides a means for dispersing a laser beam before it can produce unwanted damage to a section of tubing is also described.

Claims

1. A laser cutting system, comprising:

a laser source for providing a laser beam; and

a chamber for maintaining a controlled environment, the chamber having an optical element disposed in one surface of the chamber for allowing access by the laser beam to an internal volume of the chamber, the chamber also having an input port and an exhaust port;

a fixture for holding articles to be cut by the laser beam disposed within the chamber.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum nozzle disposed adjacent the fixture and in fluid communication with the exhaust port.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a laser nozzle through which the laser beam shines to fall upon an article held by the fixture, the laser nozzle being disposed within the vacuum nozzle such that a channel is formed between an outer surface of the laser nozzle and an inner surface of the vacuum nozzle, the channel in fluid communication with the chamber and the exhaust port.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the vacuum nozzle includes a recess configured to surround a portion of a tube from which a stent pattern will be cut.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the recess has a semi-circular shape.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the chamber is defined by a fixed tray and a movable tray, the movable tray having an open position and a closed position, the chamber effective to form a closed volume when the movable tray is in the closed position.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the input port is configured to receive a shielding gas.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum source in fluid communication with the exhaust port.

10. The cutting mandrel of claim 1, further comprising a recess extending from a location proximal to the second opening to the distal end of the mandrel.

11. The cutting mandrel of claim 1, wherein an opening disposed at the proximal end of the second bore is configured to receive a shielding gas.

12. The cutting mandrel of claim 10, wherein the recess is formed in a side of the mandrel farthest from the wall of a tube that is being cut by a laser beam.

13. The cutting mandrel of claim 10, wherein the recess is formed in a side of the mandrel nearest to the wall of a tube that is being cut by a laser beam.

14. The cutting mandrel of claim 10, further comprising a dispersion element disposed within the second opening of the first bore.

15. The cutting mandrel of claim 14, wherein the dispersion element is a lens.

9. A cutting mandrel for use while cutting a stent pattern into a tube with a laser, comprising:

a mandrel having a proximal end and a distal end;

a first bore extending from a top surface of the mandrel through a bottom surface of the mandrel, the bore located adjacent the distal end of the mandrel, the bore having a first opening on the top surface defining an exhaust port, and a second opening on the bottom surface of the mandrel; and

,

a second bore extending axially within the mandrel from the proximal end of the mandrel and intersecting with the first bore.