Method and apparatus for forming cuts in catheters, guidewires, and the like

• US 6,014,919 A
• Filed: 09/16/1996
• Issued: 01/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Precision Vascular Systems, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Precision Vascular Systems, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Jacobsen, Stephen C., Davis, Clark
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada, Rinaldi I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Goodman, Charles
• Application Number:
  US08/714,555
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 83/209, 83/210, 83/240, 83/248, 83/257, 83/282, 83/409, 83/418, 83/421, 83/457, 83/465, 83/466.1, 83/471.2, 83/471.3, 83/485, 83/486, 83/486.1 , 83/556, 83/563, 83/733, 83/863, 83/864, 83/881, 83/886, 83/913, 83/924, 83/750, 83/422, 269/254 R, 269/902, 279/46.1
• US Class Current: 83/282
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09108 Methods for making a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0015 Making lateral openings in a catheter tube, e.g. holes, slits, ports, piercings of guidewire ports; Methods for processing the holes, e.g. smoothing the edges
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 45/124 the workpieces turning about their longitudinal axis during the cutting operations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0385 Rotary scoring blade
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/05 With reorientation of tool between cuts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0596 Cutting wall of hollow work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/152 And modify another operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/446 With means to initiate tool feed by same control impulse
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4463 Work-sensing means to initiate tool feed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4506 Work feed means carried by tool or tool support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4559 With means to vary magnitude or base position of tool stroke
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4645 With means to clamp work during dwell
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/527 With means to control work-responsive signal system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/536 Movement of work controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/538 Positioning of tool controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/541 Actuation of tool controlled in response to work-sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/6577 With means to adjust additional means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/6579 With means to press work to work-carrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/6667 Work carrier rotates about axis fixed relative to tool station
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7573 Including clamping face of specific structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7587 : Gapped work-constrainer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7693 : Tool moved relative to work-support during cutting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/7768 : With means to adjust path of reciprocation

Abstract

A catheter, guidewire or other cylindrical object cutting device which includes a base, at least one circular saw blade mounted on a spindle member, and a clamp for manipulating the object to be cut. The at least one circular saw blade is rotatably mounted on the spindle member. The spindle member is free to move vertically and horizontally with respect to the base to thereby control the location, size and depth of the cuts in a cylindrical object disposed adjacent thereto. The clamp is able to hold the object to be cut, as well as rotate it to expose the entire circumference of the object to the saw blade. By releasing the clamp, a pinch roller can advance the object before the clamp is re-engaged to securely hold the object for cutting. Sensors are also provided to enable detection of wear of the saw blade so as to signal needed replacement or adjustment of the saw blade to compensate.

Claims

1. A system for forming precision cuts in a catheter, said system comprising:

a base member;

a vertically movable member slidably coupled to the base member;

a horizontally moveable member having a spindle end and being slidably coupled to the vertically movable member;

at least one rotatable spindle disposed through the spindle end;

a plurality of circular saw blades, wherein the saw blades are mounted in parallel and coaxially on the at least one spindle, and wherein each of the plurality of circular saw blades has a same diameter;

a drive means coupled to the at least one spindle for rotating the at least one circular saw blade;

a clamping member coupled to the base member;

a clamping device disposed within the clamping member to thereby engage the catheter while the at least one circular saw blade makes an incision there through; and

further comprising;

a clamping surface wherein a depression is disposed there across for partially receiving and holding straight the catheter;

a plurality of slots extending from the clamping surface through to an oppositely facing back side;

a leaf spring coupled to the clamping surface for forcing the catheter into the depression and against the clamping surface;

a plurality of access holes in between the plurality of slots and extending from the back side through to the clamping surface and;

a plurality of push rods, where in each one of the plurality of push rods is disposed within each of the plurality of access holes to thereby lift the leaf spring from off the catheter

when the catheter must be manipulated; and

means for feeding the catheter to the clamping device.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for feeding the catheter to the clamping device is comprised of a pinch roller assembly disposed adjacent the clamping device to thereby feed the catheter to the clamping device.

3. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein the pinch roller assembly is comprised of:

a first wheel for supporting and forcing the catheter to move to the clamping device when the catheter is disengaged;

a second wheel for applying a force to the catheter to the clamping device; and

a lever arm coupled to the base member at a pivoting end, and coupled to the second

wheel at a movable end, wherein a spring means coupled between the lever arm and the base member provides the force of the second wheel.

4. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises replacing the catheter with another object to be cut which is selected from the group of objects comprising guide wires and elongate, generally cylindrical objects.

5. A system for forming precision cuts in a catheter, said system comprising:

a base member;

a vertically movable member slidably coupled to the base member;

a horizontally moveable member having a spindle end and being slidably coupled to the vertically movable member;

at least one rotatable spindle disposed through the spindle end;

a plurality of circular saw blades, wherein the saw blades are mounted in parallel and coaxially on the at least one spindle, and wherein each of the plurality of circular saw blades has a same diameter;

a drive means coupled to the at least one spindle for rotating the at least one circular saw blade;

a clamping member coupled to the base member;

a clamping device disposed within the clamping member to thereby engage the catheter while the at least one circular saw blade makes an incision there through;

further comprised of;

a clamping surface wherein a depression is disposed there across for partially receiving and holding straight the catheter;

a plurality of slots extending from the clamping surface through to an oppositely facing back side;

a leaf spring coupled to the clamping surface for forcing the catheter into the depression and against the clamping surface;

a plurality of access holes in between the plurality of slots and extending from the back side through to the clamping surface and;

a plurality of push rods, where in each one of the plurality of push rods is disposed within each of the plurality of access holes to thereby lift the leaf spring from off the catheter when the catheter must be manipulated;

an actuable means for pushing the push rods through the plurality of access holes when catheter is to be manipulated; and

means for feeding the catheter to the clamping device.