Method and apparatus for forming cuts in catheters, guidewires and the like
AssigneeSarcos LC
InventorsStephen C. Jacobsen, Clark C. Davis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system configured for forming precision cuts in an elongate object comprising a base member and a movable member carried by the base member and movable toward and away from the elongate member, and a cutting blade carried by the movable member; and a clamping device coupled to the base member, and configured to engage the elongate object while the cutting blade makes an incision therein; and a contact detection system configured for detecting contact between the cutting blade and the elongate object.
Claims32
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.