Laser assisted wire end forming process
US6465758B1 · kind B1 · utility
11Cited by
7References
12Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 15, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K2101/32
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A process for forming an end of a wire to be used in a medical procedure comprising the steps of cutting the wire and heating the cut end with laser energy to form a smoothed end or a smoothed ball end. By using a minimal amount of energy, a smoothed end is formed. By using a greater amount of energy, a smoothed ball end is formed to provide additional mass for a subsequent welding operation. A fixture is used to position the wire to facilitate this process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.