# US 8,772,670 B2 · Dual gas laser cutting of medical devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,772,670 B2 - Document ID: US8772670B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/544,322 - Filed: 2012-07-09 - Published: 2012-11-01 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-16 - Assignees: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. - Applicants: Jeffrey W. Baxter; David Mackiewicz - Inventors: Jeffrey W. Baxter; David Mackiewicz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8772670B2 ## CPC - B23K 26/14: using a fluid stream, e.g. a jet of gas, in conjunction with the laser beam; Nozzles therefor (B23K26/12 takes precedence) - B23K 26/0823: {Devices involving rotation of the workpiece} - B23K 26/083: {Devices involving movement of the workpiece in at least one axial direction} - B23K 26/142: for the removal of by-products - B23K 26/147: {Features outside the nozzle for feeding the fluid stream towards the workpiece} - B23K 26/1476: {Features inside the nozzle for feeding the fluid stream through the nozzle} - B23K 26/38: by boring or cutting - B23K 26/704: {Beam dispersers, e.g. beam wells} - A61F 2/91: made from perforated sheets or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes - B23K 2101/06: Tubes - B23K 2103/08: Non-ferrous metals or alloys - B23K 2103/14: Titanium or alloys thereof - B23K 2103/26: {Alloys of Nickel and Cobalt and Chromium} - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A system prevents oxidation of a laser cut workpiece by utilizing a laser source that utilizes laser source with an inert gas, such as argon or helium, rather than air or oxygen, to create the slots or kerfs which form the pattern cut into the workpiece. The system introduces oxygen gas through the workpiece as it is being laser cut to oxidize any slag or dross created during the laser cutting process. Oxygen or a mixture of oxygen with other gases cools the slag and the workpiece while at the same time oxidizing the slag to either completely burn or partial burn the slag before it strikes an exposed surface of the tubular member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for laser cutting a tubular member, comprising: a laser source which utilizes a pressurized inert gas to cut the wall of a tubular member; and an apparatus for introducing oxygen gas into the inner lumen of the tubular member while the laser source cuts the wall of the tubular member, wherein the apparatus includes a nozzle which is connected to an oxygen source and at least a portion of the nozzle is adapted to be placed within the inner lumen of the tubular member during laser cutting and the system further includes a mechanism for moving the nozzle within the tubular member as the tubular member is being cut. ### Claim 2 A system for laser cutting a tubular member, comprising: a laser source which utilizes a pressurized inert gas to cut the wall of a tubular member; and an apparatus for introducing oxygen gas into the inner lumen of the tubular member while the laser source cuts the wall of the tubular member, wherein the apparatus includes a nozzle which is connected to an oxygen source and the nozzle is coupled to the tubular member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the tubular member to be cut includes threads for engaging the nozzle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the system includes a mechanism for moving the nozzle and tubular piece as the tubular piece is being cut. ### Claim 5 A method for laser cutting a tubular member, comprising: providing a tubular member having a coupling element formed thereon, the tubular member having a wall, an inner surface, an exterior surface and an inner lumen; attaching a nozzle which is connected to an oxygen source to the coupling element; selectively removing a portion of the wall of the tubular member with a laser device which utilizes a pressurized inert gas in cutting the wall of the tubular member; and supplying oxygen gas in the inner lumen of the tubular member while the laser device selectively removes a portion of the wall of the tubular member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further including: removing the nozzle from the tubular member after the portion of the wall of the tubular member has been selectively removing by the laser device; and cutting the coupling element from the tubular member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the coupling element is threads formed on the tubular element. ### Claim 8 A method for laser cutting a tubular member, comprising: providing a tubular member having a wall, an inner surface, an exterior surface and an inner lumen; placing a nozzle which is connected to an oxygen source in the inner lumen of the tubular member; selectively removing a portion of the wall of the tubular member with a laser; supplying oxygen gas via the nozzle and oxygen source in the inner lumen of the tubular member while the laser device selectively removes portions of the wall of the tubular member; and moving the nozzle in the inner lumen as the laser device selectively removes portions of the tubular member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the tubular member is moved as the laser device selectively removes portions of the wall of the tubular member.