Methods for laser cutting tubing to make medical devices

US8779328B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Boris Anukhin · San Jose, US
• Larry Baughman · Campbell, US
• Pamela A. Kramer-Brown · San Jose, US
• Neil Burkhart · Fremont, US
• Li Chen · Fremont, US
• Duane M. DeMorre · Temecula, US
• Keif M. Fitzgerald · San Jose, US
• Gregory W. Johnson · Milford, US
• Z. C. Lin · Palo Alto, US
• David Mackiewicz · Scotts Valley, US
• Karim Osman · Mountain View, US
• Randolf von Oepen · Los Altos, US
• William E. Webler · Escondido, US
• Travis R. Yribarren · San Mateo, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 9, 2010
• Grant date: Jul 15, 2014
• Expiry date: Mar 30, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B23K2103/50
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Methods for making devices include providing a tubular member to be formed into a device, placing a removable sacrificial block material in the lumen of the tubular member and laser cutting the tubular member. A tubular member made from nickel-titanium alloy can be tightly adhered to a sacrificial sleeve utilizing the phase changes associated with nickel-titanium. A mandrel which includes an enlarged diameter section causes the workpiece to expand slightly within its elastic deformation range to dislodge islands from the workpiece. Such a mandrel could be formed from a tubular member which has a central lumen that can be used to deliver a pressurized medium to “blast” islands from the workpiece.