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Publication Number
US-9751156-B2
Publication Date
2017-09-05
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 fabric cutting system provides a mandrel configured to support a tubular fabric having a plurality of fabric limbs. The mandrel comprises a body, a first leg, and a second leg shorter than the first leg. A chuck fixedly attached to a work surface selectively receives either one of the mandrel legs or the mandrel body to rotatingly support the mandrel.
When the first leg is inserted into the chuck, the mandrel is rotatable and the fabric mounted on the mandrel is cut about the first leg at a location beyond the end of the second leg. The cutting laser maintains an unimpeded contact line at the cut location beyond the opposing leg/base end while the mandrel is rotated.
A programmable cutting laser is used for cutting and may be multi-axis with a plurality of power heads delivering laser beam focal cutting points. The system optionally uses relatively low laser power in an engraving-type range of about 10 to about 35 watts to improve edge straightness and sealing, and the chuck and leg engagement structures are designed to maintain laser alignment while allowing interchangeable insertion of the mandrel leg or body.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is directed to a fabric cutting system with a mandrel having first and second legs of different effective lengths, and a chuck that selectively receives either a mandrel leg or the mandrel body so the mandrel can rotate while cutting occurs at a location beyond the shorter leg. Dependent refinements specify a cutting laser with programmable focal distances and multi-axis multiple power heads, laser power of about 10 to about 35 watts, and chuck/leg engagement notch and leg-engaging member structures.
Mandrel with first and second legs of different lengths for tubular fabric
A mandrel configured to support a tubular fabric having a plurality of fabric limbs, the mandrel comprising a body, a first leg, and a second leg shorter than the first leg.
Selective chuck support of either a mandrel leg or mandrel body for rotation
A chuck fixedly attached to a work surface and configured to receive either one of the mandrel legs or body to rotatingly support the mandrel.
Cutting location beyond end of shorter leg while rotating about the received first leg
When the first leg is inserted into the chuck, the mandrel can be rotated and the fabric mounted on the mandrel can be cut about the first leg at a location beyond the end of the second leg.
Programmable focal distances for cutting different diameters
The cutting laser includes programmable focal distances to cut different diameters on the mandrel.
Multi-axis cutting laser with plurality of power heads and different focal cutting points
The cutting laser is a multi-axis laser with a plurality of power heads, each emitting a laser beam to a different focal cutting point.
Low power laser cutting in the about 10 to 35 watt range
The cutting laser emits a laser beam with about 10 to about 35 watts of power to cut the fabric.
Y-shaped leg engaging member with notches to engage legs of different diameters
The chuck includes a Y-shaped leg engaging member, and each leg has three equally spaced notches at its end configured to engage the leg engaging member so legs of different diameters are engageable.
Overall, the claims coverage centers on rotating a tubular-fabric mandrel supported by a chuck that selectively receives the mandrel leg, enabling cutting about the first leg at a location beyond the end of the second leg. Refinements specify programmable focal distances, a multi-axis laser with multiple power heads and different focal cutting points, an about 10 to about 35 watt laser power range, and chuck engagement structures including a Y-shaped leg engaging member and notch configurations for legs of different diameters.
Stated Advantages
Precision within medical tolerance.
Reduced variability compared with manual cutting and re-work.
Compatibility for producing vascular grafts and implantable tubular devices.
Evenly cut, fully sealed laser-cut edges compared with uneven, loose-fiber manual heat-cut edges.
Improved edge straightness and sealing using relatively low laser power of about 10 to about 35 watts versus higher-power lasers.
Documented Applications
Producing vascular grafts from tubular fabrics by laser cutting on the mandrel.
Producing implantable medical devices, including endovascular grafts and endovascular limbs, using cut tubular fabrics.
Heat-setting use of the mandrel as part of the disclosed system context.
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