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

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.