Fabric cutting system and method
Inventors
Severino, Danny • Van Hulle, Paul • Warner, Timothy
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10610969-B2
Publication Date
2020-04-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A fabric cutting system and/or method can include a mandrel having a body and first and second legs, a chuck, the chuck configured to receive either one of the legs or body to rotatingly support the mandrel. The mandrel can be rotated and the fabric mounted on the mandrel can be cut about the leg at a location beyond the end of the other leg. One of the legs can include a leg extension removable from a leg base that when removed allows the other leg to be cut beyond the end of the leg base. The fabric can be cut with a cutting laser, which may be a multi-axis laser, and/or have low power.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a fabric cutting system and method for tubular medical fabrics where a tubular fabric having a plurality of fabric limbs is mounted onto a mandrel comprising a body, a first leg, and a second leg shorter than the first leg. The first leg includes a leg extension removably attached to a leg base, and the approach enables circumferential cutting about each leg at locations beyond the end of the other leg so cutting proceeds without interference.
The method includes inserting the first leg into a center of a chuck and rotating the mandrel within the chuck to cut the entire circumference of the fabric about the first leg at a location beyond the end of the second leg to provide a first fabric leg. After removing the mandrel from the chuck, the leg extension is removed from the leg base and a portion of the first fabric leg extending beyond the leg base is folded back onto itself on the leg base, then the second leg is inserted into the chuck and the mandrel is rotated again to cut the entire circumference of the fabric about the second leg at a location beyond the end of the leg base of the first leg.
In described embodiments, the cutting is performed using a programmable laser, including low-power or engraving-range operation and optionally a multi-axis laser having multiple power heads and adjustable focal distances. The chuck support is described as centered and offset, or alternatively a single chuck vertical option, to allow an unimpeded tool-to-leg contact line at cut locations beyond the end of the other leg or leg base.
The disclosed process is associated with producing evenly cut and completely sealed edges, and it is reported to support heat-setting on the same mandrel while reducing fabric waste.
Claims Coverage
The document describes one independent method claim, with dependent claims that further specify the cutting tool as a cutting laser, constrain or characterize the workpiece, and add optional processing such as heat-setting, as well as defining mandrel, chuck, and work-surface mounting variations and cut-order timing. Overall, the inventive coverage centers on a mandrel geometry with removable leg extension, circumferential cutting about each leg beyond the end of the other leg, and a folding step between the two circumferential cuts.
Mandrel with first leg, shorter second leg, and removable leg extension
Mounting a tubular fabric having a plurality of fabric limbs onto a mandrel comprising a body, a first leg, and a second leg shorter than the first leg, where the first leg comprises a leg extension removably attached to a leg base.
Circumferential cutting about first leg beyond end of second leg
Inserting the first leg into a center of a chuck, rotating the mandrel within the chuck, and cutting the entire circumference of the fabric about the first leg at a location beyond the end of the second leg to provide a first fabric leg.
Fold-back on leg base after removing leg extension
Removing the mandrel from the chuck, removing the leg extension from the leg base, and folding a portion of the first fabric leg extending beyond the leg base back onto itself on the leg base.
Circumferential cutting about second leg beyond end of leg base
Inserting the second leg into the chuck, rotating the mandrel within the chuck, and cutting the entire circumference of the fabric about the second leg at a location beyond the end of the leg base of the first leg.
Cutting with a cutting laser
Cutting the fabric using a cutting laser.
Programming focal distances for cutting
Programming a cutting laser with different focal distances to cut different diameters on a mandrel.
Multi-axis laser with plurality of power heads
Cutting the fabric using a multi-axis laser with a plurality of power heads, where each power head emits a laser beam to a different focal cutting point.
Laser power in the range about 10 to about 35 watts
Emitting a laser beam with about 10 to about 35 watts of power to cut the fabric.
The independent claim covers the sequential circumferential cutting of tubular fabric limbs around first and second mandrel legs, including removal of a removable leg extension and folding a portion of the first fabric leg back onto the leg base before cutting about the second leg. Dependent claims further narrow the tool to a cutting laser, including programmable focal distances, an optional multi-axis multi-power-head configuration, and a stated laser power range, with further dependents characterizing the fabric as a vascular graft and optionally including heat-setting.
Stated Advantages
Produces evenly cut and completely sealed edges.
Reports advantages over manual soldering-iron/scissor processes via microscopic evidence of even, sealed edges.
Supports heat-setting on the same mandrel.
Improves efficiency by reducing fabric waste.
Documented Applications
Cutting of tubular fabric for vascular grafts.
Use with implantable/endovascular products.
Heat-setting on the same mandrel after cutting.
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