Method of cutting material for use in implantable medical device
First Claim
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1. A method of creating an implantable medical prosthesis, comprising:
- a. providing a sheet of pericardium, wherein the pericardium has at least two tissue layers;
b. supporting the sheet of pericardium with a support platform;
c. providing a laser cutting apparatus having a laser tube assembly configured to create a laser beam which is directed through a series of optical elements to direct a laser beam on the support platform; and
d. cutting a segment of tissue out of the sheet of pericardium with a laser beam;
said cutting comprising operating the laser apparatus at a power and pulse rate such that said laser beam welds the layers of the pericardium together along a laser cut edgewherein sufficient energy is imparted to vaporize portions of the pericardium along the cut edge and to at least partially melt the cut edges without substantial burning of the pericardium adjacent the cut edge and further wherein the cut edge of the tissue segment is not susceptible to premature wear.
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Abstract
A method of cutting material for use in an implantable medical device employs a plotted laser cutting system. The laser cutting system is computer controlled and includes a laser combined with a motion system. The laser precisely cuts segments out of source material according to a predetermined pattern as designated by the computer. The segments are used in constructing implantable medical devices. The cutting energy of the laser is selected so that the cut edges of the segments are melted to discourage delamination or fraying, but communication of thermal energy into the segment beyond the edge is minimized to avoid damaging the segment adjacent the edge.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of creating an implantable medical prosthesis, comprising:
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a. providing a sheet of pericardium, wherein the pericardium has at least two tissue layers; b. supporting the sheet of pericardium with a support platform; c. providing a laser cutting apparatus having a laser tube assembly configured to create a laser beam which is directed through a series of optical elements to direct a laser beam on the support platform; and d. cutting a segment of tissue out of the sheet of pericardium with a laser beam;
said cutting comprising operating the laser apparatus at a power and pulse rate such that said laser beam welds the layers of the pericardium together along a laser cut edgewherein sufficient energy is imparted to vaporize portions of the pericardium along the cut edge and to at least partially melt the cut edges without substantial burning of the pericardium adjacent the cut edge and further wherein the cut edge of the tissue segment is not susceptible to premature wear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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5. A method of creating an implantable medical prosthesis, comprising:
- providing a sheet of pericardium, wherein the pericardium has at least two tissue layers; and
cutting a segment of tissue out of the sheet of pericardium with a laser beam;
said cutting comprising operating a laser at a power and pulse rate having the following parameters;
1.5 lens, 20 percent power setting, 3.4 percent speed, 1,000 pulses per inch and 1,000 dots per inch, such that said beam welds the layers of the pericardium together along a laser cut edge without significantly burning the pericardium adjacent the cut edge.
- providing a sheet of pericardium, wherein the pericardium has at least two tissue layers; and
Specification