US6766720B1 — Method and apparatus for forming cuts in catheter…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 236 words

A system for forming precision cuts in an elongate object having a lengthwise axis, said system comprising: a base; a cutting instrument; a moveable member movably carried by the base, configured to facilitate relative movement of the cutting instrument and the elongate object toward and away from each other so as to facilitate cutting of the elongate object by the cutting instrument; an apparatus carried by one of the base and the moveable member and configured to hold the elongate object and translate and rotate the elongate object along, and around, respectively, the lengthwise axis of the elongate object, a linear motion transducer configured to move the elongate object and cutting instrument with respect to each other with precision; a clamping device configured to steady the elongate object during cutting; a contact detection system further comprising a sensor configured for detecting contact between the cutting instrument and the elongate object; and, a controller configured to cooperate with the contact detection system and to control the relative movement of the elongate object and the cutting instrument, so as to control relative movement toward and away from each other, holding and releasing of the elongate object, relative translation and rotation of the cutting instrument and the elongate object along, and around, respectively, the lengthwise axis of the elongate member, and thereby control and facilitate precision relative positioning and depth of a plurality of cuts in the elongate object.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 236 words

A system for forming precision cuts in an elongate object having a lengthwise axis, said system comprising: a base; a cutting instrument; a moveable member movably carried by the base, configured to facilitate relative movement of the cutting instrument and the elongate object toward and away from each other so as to facilitate cutting of the elongate object by the cutting instrument; an apparatus carried by one of the base and the moveable member and configured to hold the elongate object and translate and rotate the elongate object along, and around, respectively, the lengthwise axis of the elongate object, a linear motion transducer configured to move the elongate object and cutting instrument with respect to each other with precision; a clamping device configured to steady the elongate object during cutting; a contact detection system further comprising a sensor configured for detecting contact between the cutting instrument and the elongate object; and, a controller configured to cooperate with the contact detection system and to control the relative movement of the elongate object and the cutting instrument, so as to control relative movement toward and away from each other, holding and releasing of the elongate object, relative translation and rotation of the cutting instrument and the elongate object along, and around, respectively, the lengthwise axis of the elongate member, and thereby control and facilitate precision relative positioning and depth of a plurality of cuts in the elongate object.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 82 words

A system as in claim 1 , further comprising: a rotatable spindle carried by the moveable member, wherein the cutting instrument comprises a circular cutting blade carried by the rotatable spindle; and, a drive motor coupled to the at least one spindle, and configured for rotating the cutting blade; and, wherein the apparatus configured to hold the elongate object and translate and rotate the elongate object along, and around, the lengthwise axis of the elongate object further comprises a pinch roller assembly.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 37 words

A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the cutting instrument further comprises: a plurality of circular saw blades mounted coaxially on the spindle; and wherein the plurality of circular saw blades are equal in diameter.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 37 words

A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the cutting instrument comprises a cutting blade, and the controller, linear motion transducer, and contact detection system are configured to cooperate to sense wear of the cutting blade.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 64 words

The system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the cutting instrument comprises a cutting blade and the contact detection system comprises an electrical conduction sensing circuit couplable to the cutting blade to the elongate object, wherein the elongate object is conductive, and said circuit being configured for notifying the controller when the cutting blade comes into contact with the electrically conductive elongate object.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 43 words

A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the cutting instrument comprises a cutting blade and the contact detection system comprises a mechanical drag detector operatively coupled to the cutting blade so as to sense when the blade contacts the elongate object.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 52 words

A system as defined in claim 6 , wherein the cutting blade is a circular rotatable blade and the mechanical drag detector comprises a rotation speed change detector which monitors rotation of the cutting blade and indicates a change in rotation speed, thereby determining when contact is made with the elongate object.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 32 words

A system as defined in claim 6 , wherein the mechanical drag detector comprises a torque detector which monitors a change in an amount of torque required to turn the cutting blade.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 38 words

A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the cutting instrument is a cutting blade, and the contact detection system comprises an optical detector configured for detecting a gap between the cutting blade and the elongate object.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 56 words

A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the clamping device is configured to grip and release the elongate object under control of the controller, the elongate object being gripped by the clamping device when the cutting instrument is cutting the elongate object, and released by the clamping device when the elongate object is moved.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 16 words

A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the cutting instrument comprises a saw blade.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 83 words

A system as defined in claim 1 , wherein the contact detection system comprises: an electrical conduction sensor comprising an electrical circuit operatively couplable to the cutting instrument and the elongate object, wherein the elongate object and cutting instrument are conductive, said circuit being configured to produce a signal indicating that the cutting instrument has come into contact with the electrically conductive elongate object, whereby control of a depth of cut into the elongate object from a location of said contact is facilitated.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 54 words

A system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus configured to translate and rotate the elongate object along, and around, respectively, the lengthwise axis of the elongate object further comprises a further clamp configured to rotate with respect to the base and to simultaneously hold and rotate the elongate cylindrical object.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 221 words

A system for forming precision cuts in an elongate object having a lengthwise axis, said system comprising: a base; a moveable member carried by the base; a circular rotatable cutting blade rotatably carried by the movable member; an apparatus, carried by the base, configured to grasp the elongate object and translate and rotate the elongate object along, and around, respectively, the lengthwise axis of the elongate object; a clamp coupled to the base, and configured for holding the elongate object steady while the cutting blade makes an incision therein and releasing the elongate object when said apparatus manipulates the elongate object; a contact detection system configured for detecting contact between the cutting blade and the elongate object; and, a controller, and at least one transducer, configured to cooperate with the contact detection system and to control and coordinate movement of the movable member and said cutting blade carried thereon, the clamp, and said apparatus configured to translate and rotate the elongate object, the system being configured to provide precision automatic cutting of the elongate object and precision in relative positioning of cuts, both along, and rotated with respect to, the lengthwise axis of the elongate object, and precision in depth of cuts made in the elongate object from a point of first contact between the cutting blade and the elongate object.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 221 words

A system for forming precision cuts in an elongate object having a lengthwise axis, said system comprising: a base; a moveable member carried by the base; a circular rotatable cutting blade rotatably carried by the movable member; an apparatus, carried by the base, configured to grasp the elongate object and translate and rotate the elongate object along, and around, respectively, the lengthwise axis of the elongate object; a clamp coupled to the base, and configured for holding the elongate object steady while the cutting blade makes an incision therein and releasing the elongate object when said apparatus manipulates the elongate object; a contact detection system configured for detecting contact between the cutting blade and the elongate object; and, a controller, and at least one transducer, configured to cooperate with the contact detection system and to control and coordinate movement of the movable member and said cutting blade carried thereon, the clamp, and said apparatus configured to translate and rotate the elongate object, the system being configured to provide precision automatic cutting of the elongate object and precision in relative positioning of cuts, both along, and rotated with respect to, the lengthwise axis of the elongate object, and precision in depth of cuts made in the elongate object from a point of first contact between the cutting blade and the elongate object.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

A system as defined in claim 14 , further comprising means for determining an extent of wear of the cutting blade.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 27 words

A system as defined in claim 15 , wherein the contact detection system comprises a mechanical drag detector configured for detecting drag on the blade while cutting.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 34 words

A system as defined in claim 16 , wherein the mechanical drag detector comprises a rotation detector which monitors rotation of the cutting blade, thereby determining when contact is made with the elongate object.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 32 words

A system as defined in claim 16 , wherein the mechanical drag detector comprises a torque detector which monitors a change in an amount of torque required to turn the cutting blade.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 37 words

A system as defined in claim 15 , wherein the means for determining an extent of wear of the cutting blade comprises an optical detector for detecting a gap between the cutting blade and the elongate object.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 38 words

A system as defined in claim 14 , wherein the at least one transducer comprises a precise linear motion transducer cooperating with the controller to control movement of the moveable member toward and away from the elongate object.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 67 words

A system as defined in claim 20 , wherein the contact detection system further comprises: an electrical conduction sensing circuit coupled to the cutting blade and the elongate object, wherein the elongate object and the blade are conductive, said circuit being configured to produce a signal indicating that the cutting blade is one of: i) immediately adjacent; and, ii) in contact with, the electrically conductive elongate object.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 28 words

A system as defined in claim 14 , wherein the contact detection system comprises a mechanical drag detection means configured for detecting drag on the blade while cutting.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 38 words

A system as defined in claim 22 , wherein the mechanical drag detection means comprises a rotation detector which monitors a rate of rotation of the cutting blade, thereby determining when contact is made with the elongate object.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 35 words

A system as defined in claim 22 , wherein the mechanical drag detection means comprises a torque detector which monitors a change in an amount of torque required to turn the cutting blade while cutting.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 29 words

A system as defined in claim 14 , wherein the contact detection system comprises an optical detector for detecting a gap between the cutting blade and the elongate object.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 216 words

A system for forming precision cuts in a small-diameter elongate cylindrical object configured to be used in one of a catheter and a guidewire configured for use in a patient's anatomy, said object having a lengthwise axis, said system comprising: a base; a horizontally moveable member carried by the base and configured to move horizontally with respect to the base; a linear motion transducer configured for moving the horizontally moveable member with respect to the base; a rotatable spindle carried by the horizontally movable member; a cutting blade disposed on the rotatable spindle; a clamping device coupled to the base member, and configured for steadying the cylindrical object while the cutting blade makes an incision therein; an apparatus configured to translate and rotate the elongate object along, and around, respectively, the lengthwise axis of the elongate object; a contact detection system comprising a contact sensor configured for detecting contact between the cutting blade and the cylindrical object and producing a signal indicative thereof; and, a controller configured to cooperate with the contact sensor indicating contact between the cutting blade and the cylindrical object to control relative movement of the elongate object and the cutting blade, so as to thereby control and facilitate precision relative positioning and depth of a plurality of cuts in the elongate object.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 216 words

A system for forming precision cuts in a small-diameter elongate cylindrical object configured to be used in one of a catheter and a guidewire configured for use in a patient's anatomy, said object having a lengthwise axis, said system comprising: a base; a horizontally moveable member carried by the base and configured to move horizontally with respect to the base; a linear motion transducer configured for moving the horizontally moveable member with respect to the base; a rotatable spindle carried by the horizontally movable member; a cutting blade disposed on the rotatable spindle; a clamping device coupled to the base member, and configured for steadying the cylindrical object while the cutting blade makes an incision therein; an apparatus configured to translate and rotate the elongate object along, and around, respectively, the lengthwise axis of the elongate object; a contact detection system comprising a contact sensor configured for detecting contact between the cutting blade and the cylindrical object and producing a signal indicative thereof; and, a controller configured to cooperate with the contact sensor indicating contact between the cutting blade and the cylindrical object to control relative movement of the elongate object and the cutting blade, so as to thereby control and facilitate precision relative positioning and depth of a plurality of cuts in the elongate object.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 68 words

A system as set forth in claim 26 , wherein the contact detection system further comprises: an electrical conduction sensing circuit coupled to the cutting blade and the cylindrical object, wherein the cylindrical object and the blade are conductive, said circuit being configured to produce the signal indicating that the cutting blade is one of: i) immediately adjacent; and, ii) in contact with, the electrically conductive cylindrical object.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system as set forth in claim 27 , wherein the sensing circuit employs a substantially constant direct current.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 17 words

A system as set forth in claim 27 , wherein the sensing circuit employs an oscillating current.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system as set forth in claim 29 , wherein the sensing circuit employs a current of alternating polarity.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 54 words

A system as set forth in claim 27 , wherein the apparatus configured to translate and rotate the elongate object along, and around, respectively, the lengthwise axis of the elongate object further comprises a further clamp configured to rotate with respect to the base and to simultaneously hold and rotate the elongate cylindrical object.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 47 words

A system as set forth in claim 31 , where the clamp comprises a non-rotating clamp immediately adjacent a location where the cutting blade contacts the elongate cylindrical object and is intermediate the further clamp and said location where the cutting blade contacts the elongate cylindrical object.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-07-27	2008-01-26	2008-07-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-07-27	2012-01-26	2012-07-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-07-27	2016-01-26	2016-07-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

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

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