HK1022120A - Method and apparatus for forming cuts in catheters, guidewires and the like - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for scoring catheters, guide wires and the like

Background

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to techniques for precision scoring of catheters (cathter) and guide wires (guidwire). And more particularly to a device for gripping, advancing, rotating and then scoring a catheter or guide wire that controls two degrees of freedom of the catheter or guide wire to allow precise control of the location of the score. Various gripping devices for manipulating the catheter or gauge cable are provided, as well as an indentation blade wear detection device for controlled alteration of the mechanical properties of the indentation.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Scoring catheters and guide wires requires precision in order to ensure reliability, which is a requirement for the use of catheters and guide wires in medical applications. However, it is also important to control production costs to minimize the cost of the healthcare industry.

Typical examples of such devices in the prior art include a grinding wire (gridingwire) for scoring, a loop coil (Wound coils), and a laser processing device. These devices, however, often suffer from high cost, imprecision or difficulty in controlling the positioning device that requires both the scoring device and the cylindrical object being scored to be properly positioned.

What is needed is a method and apparatus for scoring catheters and guide wires that provides precise control over the scored characteristics. This requires precise clamping, feed, and rotation of the generally cylindrical object, and at least one of the blades will automatically score the object forward and back.

Objects and summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for accurately scoring catheters and guide wires.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for accurately scoring a cylindrical object.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for precision scoring by controlling the parameters of the scoring by controlling the two degrees of freedom of the cylindrical object being scored.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for gripping, advancing and rotating a scored cylindrical object.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for increasing the productivity of an apparatus for scoring cylindrical objects by providing a plurality of saw blades on a single scoring tool.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for detecting the amount of wear of a saw blade in order to accurately control the position of the saw blade.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by embodiments of a scoring device for scoring a catheter, a gauge cable, or other cylindrical object. The scoring device includes: a base having at least one circular saw blade mounted on the spindle unit; and a gripping device for manipulating and positioning the scored object. The circular saw blade is rotatably mounted on the spindle unit. The spindle assembly is free to move vertically and horizontally relative to the base to control the position, length, depth and angle of the score on a cylindrical object mounted adjacent thereto. The clamping device is capable of clamping and positioning the scored object, e.g., rotating it, so as to present the circumference of the cut cylindrical object in front of the blade. The clamping means is released and the pinch rollers advance the cylindrical object forward, before the clamping means grips again so that the cylindrical object can be reliably gripped for scoring.

Another aspect of the present invention is its ability to be precisely scored. This is achieved by arranging for control of the rotation and movement of the object being cut, and the movement of the saw blade spindle assembly. The saw blade main shaft device is also provided with a sensor, so that the abrasion of the saw blade can be detected, a signal can be sent, and the saw blade is required to be replaced or the position of the saw blade main shaft device is required to be adjusted for compensation.

Another aspect of the present invention is the ability to cut several grooves simultaneously in a scored object. This is done with a saw blade having several parallel blades. Even several blade spindle arrangements can be provided for scoring, wherein each blade spindle arrangement can be moved independently in the direction of two degrees of freedom.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a plurality of blade spindle assemblies so that each blade can simultaneously and precisely score at different locations along the length of a cylindrical object being cut.

These and other objects, features, advantages and alternative aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1A is a front view of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1A.

Fig. 2 is another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the vertical motion device is an upside-down of the vertical motion device of fig. 1A and 1B.

Fig. 3 is another embodiment of the present invention, in which the horizontal movement apparatus is an upside-down of the horizontal movement apparatus of fig. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment showing sensing and control devices for controlling the positioning and movement of the devices.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing signal transmission between devices when a conductive sensor is used.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing signal transmission between devices when a mechanical drag sensor is used.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing signal transmission between devices when a rotation detection sensor is used.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing signal transmission between devices when an optical detection sensor is used.

Fig. 9A is a front view of another embodiment of a clamping device.

FIG. 9B is a side view of another embodiment of the clamping device shown in FIG. 9A.

Fig. 10 is another saw blade device that can be used with all embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 11A is a top view of another clamping device.

Fig. 11B is a side view of the alternative clamping device shown in fig. 11A.

FIG. 12 is another embodiment in which two blade devices are used to simultaneously score a catheter.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring now to the drawings, in which the various elements of the present invention are numbered, descriptions of the various elements are provided to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention.

The invention is illustrated in fig. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing an apparatus for scoring a catheter, gauge cable or other cylindrical object. For purposes of focusing on the intended application of the present invention, the catheter will be a scored object, although any cylindrical object could be substituted for the catheter. However, the use of a catheter as a specific representative of a cylindrical object is merely for convenience of description and should not be construed as limiting the invention in material terms. However, using catheters as a typical one can focus on the goal of having a high precision scoring device, which is of paramount importance for most medical applications. Furthermore, the catheter is also only an example in medical applications, but it is easy to express the accuracy requirements.

The apparatus 6 of the present invention, shown in fig. 1A and 1B, is comprised of several parts, including a base 10, which is used to support the entire apparatus. Slidably connected to the vertical riser 12 is a vertically movable member 14 having a first vertical connecting surface 16 and a first horizontal connecting surface 18. The vertical connecting surface 16 is adjustably connected to the vertical connecting surface 20 of the base.

The means 22 for adjustably connecting the vertical connecting surface 16 of the stand to the vertical connecting surface 22 of the base may be any suitable means. An important issue to consider is that the vertical displacement member 14 does not allow horizontal displacement, otherwise the accuracy of the entire apparatus is compromised. The tolerances of the device 22 must be small. A suitable example of the device 22 is a cross roller bearing as is well known to those skilled in the art.

The shape of the vertical displacement member 14 is here an inverted L-shape. Another shape of the vertical displacement member is shown in fig. 2. The vertical displacement device 14 is reversed here compared to the embodiment shown in fig. 1A. An important feature of the device 14 is that it provides two surfaces 16 and 18, wherein the vertical surface can be moved vertically with an adjustable connection and the second surface is provided with another device that can be moved horizontally with an adjustable connection in conjunction therewith.

The apparatus shown in figures 1A and 1B further includes a horizontally movable member 24 having a spindle end 26 and a second horizontally attached surface 28. Second horizontal joint surface 28 of horizontal moving member 24 is adjustably connected to first horizontal joint surface 18 of vertical moving member 14. It should be appreciated that the vertical moving member 14 and the horizontal moving member 24 can move independently of each other. In this way, the entire device has two independent degrees of freedom of movement.

The spindle end 26 of the horizontal displacement member 24 is provided with a horizontal slot 30 in which a spindle 32 is mounted. The slot 30 is generally circular to receive the shaft 34 of the spindle 32. The working end 36 of the spindle 34 is fitted with at least one circular saw blade 38. The circular saw blade 38 is mounted perpendicular to the spindle axis 34, but may be mounted at an angle in other embodiments.

The spindle shaft 34 is coupled to a drive motor, including gears, belts, direct drives or other suitable means (not shown), to rotate the spindle shaft 34 at high speeds. The drive motor (not shown) may be mounted in any suitable position relative to the spindle shaft. In one embodiment, spindle shaft 34 is driven by a brushless DC motor via a toothed timing belt.

The circular saw blade 38 is a typical structure in the prior art. In one embodiment the cutting edge of the saw blade 38 is covered with an industrial diamond.

Used to grip and otherwise manipulate the scored conduit 8 is a gripping device 50. The clamping device 50 comprises two main parts: a clamping device 52; and a feed device 54, i.e. a device for feeding the catheter 8 through the gripping device 52. A clamp 50 is also attached to the base 10 and is positioned to hold a clamp 52 in place to facilitate advancement of the guide tube 8 to the scoring location of the circular saw blade 38.

In one embodiment, the clamping device 52 is a collet chuck as is well known in the art. The collet chuck is a slotted cylinder chuck that is tightened into a tapered bore of a sleeve or lathe fixture to clamp a cylindrical workpiece. The cylindrical shape of the clamping device 52 is not visible in fig. 1A. The jaws 58 of the slotted collet are spaced apart from one another so that when relaxed the jaws can be released from the conduit 8 and when tightened the jaws can again be gathered on the conduit 8 and tightened.

In one embodiment, one desirable feature of the clamp 52 is that it is rotatably mounted within the clamp 50. The collet chuck 52 can then be rotated to enable different portions of the surface of the catheter 8 to be arranged in front of the saw blade 38. The means for rotating the clamp 52 is generally indicated at 56, wherein the clamp 52 is mounted in a frame that is rotatable relative to the blade 38.

The feed device 54 in a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1B is comprised of pinch rollers 60,62 and a feed roller 66. Fig. 1B shows clearly that the pinch rollers 60,62 feed the catheter 8 to the gripping device 52 by friction between the two facing elements 60 and 66. The upper piece is a pinch roller 60. The lower piece is a feed roller 66. The feed rollers have axles 68 mounted in the feed device 54 so that the feed rollers can rotate. The pinch roller 60 is mounted at one end of a lever 62 that is rotatable about a pivot 70. Along the length of the lever, remote from the pinch roller means, there is a hole 72. One end of the spring 64 is inserted into this hole and the other end of the spring 64 is inserted into another hole 74 of the feeder. The spring 64 provides the force required to cause the feed roller to push the conduit 8 to the gripping means 52.

The vast majority of the components of one preferred embodiment of the catheter scoring device 6 are illustrated, and the operation of the scoring device 6 is as follows. First, the non-scored duct 8 is placed between the pinch roller 60 and the feed roller 66. This can be achieved by pulling the spring 64, lifting the lever 62. The lever 62 is released, and the pinch roller 60 is pressed downward against the feed roller 66, sandwiching the catheter 8. A drive means (not shown) is connected to the feed roller 66 and rotates it, thereby pushing the conduit 8 towards the gripping means 52. At this point, the gripping device 52 should be in a relaxed position (the diameter of the hole through the gripping device is larger than the diameter of the conduit 8) so that the conduit 8 can be easily fed in. After passing through the clamping device 52, the catheter is advanced far enough past the circular saw blade so that it is in the correct position for scoring the catheter surface.

When the catheter 8 is properly positioned, the clamp 52 clamps the catheter and the blade 38 is advanced into scoring contact. Before scoring, the blade 38 is normally in a retracted position. The retracted position includes both vertically downward and horizontally rearward with respect to the conduit 8. The first step in the movement of the saw blade 38 is 1) the horizontal forward approach to the guide tube 8. This is accomplished by movement of the horizontal moving member 24 relative to the vertical moving member 14 to which it is attached. The horizontal displacement member 24 is moved forward until the desired depth of scoring on the conduit 8. The second step 2) of the movement is the upward movement of the vertical moving member 14 relative to the base 10 to which it is connected, for scoring. The blade 38 is then immediately retracted away from the guide tube 8 by moving the vertical displacement member 14. The horizontal moving member moves only after the depth of the next nick is different or all nicks are finished.

If another slot is to be cut, collet 52 is loosened as a fourth step. The catheter 8 is then advanced through the gripping device 52 by the feed roller 66 as a fifth step. The collet chuck is again tightened as a sixth step, if necessary, with the clamping device 52 rotated so that another portion of the conduit 8 faces the saw blade 38. If the scoring depth is changed, the saw blade 38 is then moved horizontally and then vertically to perform the scoring steps 1) through 7) each time it is desired to repeat until all scoring has been completed or the conduit 8 can no longer be gripped by the feed roller 66 and the opposing pinch roller 60.

The description of the operation of the catheter scoring device 6 illustrates the different functions of the gripping device 52. The clamp 52 clamps the conduit 8 and holds it stationary while the circular saw blade 38 is scoring the conduit 8. After a groove has been cut in the pipe 8, the clamping device is released from the outside of the pipe 8 and the pipe 8 is fed through the clamping device. After releasing the clamp, the catheter 8 is advanced through the clamping device until the next scoring point of the catheter 8 is in the correct position relative to the saw blade 38. The clamping device clamps again with the jaws against the outer circumference of the catheter 8, again preventing movement of the catheter 8 during cutting.

It will be appreciated from the above description that the width of the score on the conduit 8 is limited by the thickness of the circular saw blade 38. Cutting a wider slot requires that the conduit 8 be advanced slightly axially relative to the blade 38. However, no feed motion takes place during the scoring. The blade 38 must be removed so that the gripping device 52 is released from the outer surface of the catheter 8 as the catheter is advanced. This is necessary because it allows the catheter 8 to be cut when the clamp is released, with undesirable results, even if the scoring is not precise.

Another important component of the scoring device 6 is a position sensing device. Although it is now known how to score the tube 8, it is not described how the feed roller 66 knows when to stop feeding the tube 8 through the gripping means 52 or how much the gripping means 52 needs to be turned before scoring begins. In other words, precise scoring also requires precise positioning of the catheter. Accurate positioning requires a sensor that can detect the position of the tube 8 relative to the saw blade 38 and the clamping device, and then provide this information to some control device that sends information to the relevant components in the scoring device 6 to regulate the movement of the components.

This principle is generally illustrated in the block diagram of fig. 4. The catheter scoring device 6 receives input from the control device 80 for positioning the vertical displacement member 14, as indicated by arrow 82. Arrow 84 represents input information for controlling the positioning of the horizontal displacement member 24, arrow 86 represents input information for controlling the rotation of the gripping device 52, and arrow 88 represents input information for controlling the feed rollers 66. The input information to control the clamping mechanism and to control the spindle motor are indicated at 87 and 89, respectively. Also shown in fig. 4 is a sensing device 90 for receiving positional information in the scoring device 6, as indicated by arrow 92. The position information is fed into the control device 80, indicated by arrow 94, and the correct control signals 82,84,86 and 88 are transmitted to the scoring device 6 after signal processing.

There are several alternative methods for determining the position of the catheter 8 relative to the saw blade 38. These devices may all be represented by the sensing device 90 shown in fig. 4. The first device is a conductive sensing loop 100, as shown in block diagram in fig. 5. In some cases, the material used for the conduit 8 is an electrically conductive material. In addition, the blade 38 may also be a conductive material. Thus, the saw blade 38 is brought into contact with the conductive pipe 8 and the circuit is completed. Moving the blade 38 slowly enough so as not to suddenly make contact with the catheter 8, the moment of contact can be used as a reference point so that the blade 38 can move the appropriate horizontal distance to make the desired cut.

Fig. 6 illustrates another method of position detection. In this embodiment, a mechanical drag detection device is coupled to the saw blade 38. The drag detection device 102 may be coupled to either the drive device 104 of the saw blade 38 or the main shaft 32 of the saw blade 38. In other words, the drag detection device 102 may be any suitable detection device that detects when the saw blade 38 is subjected to a drag force. Such as a torque sensor for this purpose that senses the torque load of the drive shaft of the saw blade 38.

The position sensing method of interest shown in FIG. 7 utilizes a rotation sensing device 106 that senses even small partial rotations of the blade 38 as the spindle oscillates vertically and advances slowly and horizontally. With the blade 38 not rotating, the blade 38 will rotate when the blade makes light contact with the guide tube.

A final embodiment of the detection means for detecting the position of the saw blade 38 relative to the guide tube 8 uses an optical detector 108, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 8. An optical detection device 108 is mounted in a position to detect contact of the blade 38 with the guide tube 8. A variety of optical devices may be used as the detection device 108.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to the various sensors 90 described above, however, it is inherently important to know the position of the blade and it is equally important to know the degree of wear of the blade. The above-described embodiments of the sensors, all of which may be used to compensate for the wear that the blade 38 will experience. In other words, none of the methods of determining the exact position of the blade 38 is dependent on the assumption that the size of the blade 38 is constant. All sensor embodiments 90 take into account blade wear by dynamically determining position, which is not based on the predetermined size of the blade 38. Instead, the sensor 90 determines when the blade is in contact with the guide tube and adjusts the position of the blade 38 or the guide tube 8 accordingly.

A modification of the preferred embodiment is shown in fig. 9A and 9B, which show that the clamping means 52 has been changed. As can be seen from fig. 9A, a groove 112 is provided on the fixed bearing surface 110 for supporting the conduit 8 from below. The groove 112 guides and clamps the tube 8 before, during and after scoring. Clamping the tube 8 not only allows for more precise scoring but also avoids damage to the tube, as may occur. A movable clamp 114, an Anvil (Anvil), is also provided to apply force to the catheter 8, which is clamped between the Anvil 114 and the grooved bearing surface 110. FIG. 9B also shows that the anvil 114 has a means 116 that allows the anvil 114 to move vertically relative to the support surface 110.

Fig. 10 illustrates a modification to the arrangement of the spindle 32 and blade 38 shown in fig. 1A and 1B. In particular, several saw blades 38 are mounted in parallel on the same main shaft 32. This also means that all the blades must be coaxial. It is also recommended that all saw blades have the same diameter so that no individual saw blade 38 cuts a deeper groove in the conduit 8 than the other saw blades. It is however obvious that if the spindle 32 or the saw blade 38 is easily detachable from the scoring device 6, so that saw blades with different diameters can be mounted on the same spindle 32 to obtain a uniform pattern with different depths of scoring.

Fig. 11 shows a clamping device 120 that should be used with the multiple blade 38 device of fig. 10. The clamping device 120 is capable of clamping a catheter 8 in place, and the catheter 8 is scored by a plurality of saw blades 38. This is achieved by providing the clamping surface 122 with a recess or groove 124 for receiving the conduit 8. Used in conjunction with the clamping surface is a leaf spring 126. The leaf spring 126 includes a plurality of spring fingers 128 that force the catheter 8 to remain in the groove 124 during the scoring process. Disposed in a direction perpendicular to the slot 124, extending from the clamping face 122, through the clamping device 120 to the rear face 136, are a plurality of slots 130 (which form clamping fingers 132) through which the saw blade 38 extends to score the conduit 8. The spring fingers 128 of the leaf spring 126 are spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to the distance between the slots. This ensures that the saw blade 38 does not inadvertently come into contact with the reed fingers 128 when scoring the conduit 8.

In order for the conduit 8 to be fed through the slot 124 in the clamping surface 122, means must be provided to lift the reed fingers 128 of the leaf spring 126 from the clamping surface 122. Fig. 11A shows a plurality of apertures 134 through the clamping device 120, one finger 132 for each aperture 134. Fig. 11B shows these holes 134 and, more importantly, a plurality of push rods 136, passing through the holes 134 from the back face 136 of the clamping device 120 to the clamping face 122. Not shown is a lever arm or other device that simultaneously pushes on several push rods 136 upon command to release the pinch and move the catheter 8.

Fig. 12 is another embodiment of the present invention. The vertical displacement member 14 is shown as having another shape and can be fitted with two horizontal displacement members 24, each having its own saw blade 38. This embodiment allows simultaneous scoring at defined points at different locations on the circumference of the surface of the conduit 8. This is particularly useful for cutting multiple grooves in a catheter. For example, scoring is performed at diametrically opposite locations on the conduit 8.

It should be noted that while the preferred embodiment has been identified as having a horizontal movable member on which the blade spindle is mounted, the arrangement of the vertical and horizontal movable members can be interchanged. In this arrangement, the horizontal moving member is connected to the base and the vertical moving member, and the vertical moving member is provided with a spindle.

Another embodiment of the invention uses a lever that can move in at least two degrees of freedom so that it can move vertically and horizontally to position the spindle.

It should be understood that another aspect of the present invention is that the rotation of the catheter is not limited to the use of a rotatable gripping device. For example, the clamp may be non-rotatable, and the tube may be rotated by the tube feeder after releasing the clamp, and then clamped again to cut additional slots. In addition, the catheter gripping device and the advancement device may be rotated together prior to cutting the other slots.

Another aspect of the present invention includes replacing the rotating saw blade with the prior embodiment with a non-mechanical scoring device. For example, a laser may be provided for cutting the material mounted in the scoring device

It should also be appreciated that a rotary saw blade is not the only form in which a mechanical saw blade may be used. Conventional saw blades may also be provided.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications and substitutions may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications and arrangements.

Claims (44)

1. A scoring device for making at least one precise score in an elongated object, such as a catheter or a gauge cable, wherein the precise score is generally at an angle or normal to a longitudinal axis of the elongated object, said device comprising:

fastening means for repeatedly releasing and subsequently gripping the elongate object to hold the object in position for scoring the elongate object at an angle to its longitudinal axis or in a direction orthogonal thereto;

a handling device for moving the elongated object so that the elongated object, when released by the positioning device, can be placed in a position suitable for scoring; and

a scoring element for making at least one precise score in the elongate object.

2. The scoring device recited in claim 1 wherein the scoring element further includes means for moving the scoring element relative to the elongated object gripped by the positioning means to score the elongated object at an angle or in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the elongated object.

3. The scoring device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means for repeatedly releasing and subsequently clamping the elongated object further comprises clamping means for fastening the elongated object after it has been brought into the exact position for scoring by the scoring device, said clamping means having at least two surfaces facing each other and relatively movable in order to press the elongated object placed between the two surfaces in order to immobilize the elongated object.

4. Scoring device according to claim 3, wherein the handling means is adapted to move the elongated object so that the elongated object can be placed in a position suitable for scoring, and further comprising feeding means for handling the elongated object in relation to the fastening means in order to be in a correct scoring position in relation to the scoring device, wherein the handling of the elongated object comprises any suitable action including pushing, pulling and turning the elongated object in relation to the scoring device and the fastening means.

5. The scoring device recited in claim 3 wherein the clamping means further includes a turning means for turning the clamping means when the clamping means is clamping the elongated object against movement and when the scoring device is cutting the elongated object.

6. The scoring device as recited in claim 1 wherein the scoring device is selected from the group of scoring devices consisting of a mechanical scoring blade and a laser cutter.

7. The scoring apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein the mechanical scoring blade is selected from a group of mechanical scoring blades including a rotating blade and a non-rotating blade.

8. The scoring device as recited in claim 1 wherein the securing device, the manipulating device, and the scoring device are movable relative to each other and securable in a position such that the elongated object can be fixed at a desired scoring angle relative to the scoring device by the securing device and the manipulating device.

9. The scoring apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein the clamping means further comprises a spring collet.

10. Scoring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the feed means further comprises pinch roller means mounted adjacent the gripping means for feeding the elongate object to the gripping means.

11. The scoring apparatus recited in claim 10 wherein the pinch roller means further comprises:

a first roller for supporting and forcing the cylindrical object to move toward the clamping device when the clamping device is released.

A second roller for applying a force to the cylindrical object against the first roller to provide a frictional force urging the cylindrical object toward the clamping means; and

a lever having a pivotal end connected to the base and a movable end connected to the second roller, wherein spring means is connected between the lever and the base for providing a compression force to the second roller.

12. The scoring apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein the apparatus further includes a sensing means to determine the degree of wear of the mechanical scoring blade for replacement to maintain a tolerance of the scoring depth on the elongated object.

13. A method of making at least one precision score in an elongated object, such as a catheter, a guide wire, the method using apparatus comprising: a clamping device; a feeding device for feeding the elongated object to the gripping device; and a scoring device; wherein the scoring device cuts at least one precise score in the elongated object, the score being generally at an angle or normal to the longitudinal axis of the elongated object, said method comprising the steps of:

(1) feeding the elongated object to a gripping device;

(2) manipulating the elongate object in a position required to make at least one precise score;

(3) the clamping means clamps to hold the elongate object firmly in place as required for scoring;

(4) making at least one precision score on the elongated object;

(5) loosening the clamping device; and

(6) and (5) repeating the steps (1) to (5) until all required scores on the elongated object are made.

14. An apparatus for making precision scores in catheters, guide wires and generally cylindrical objects, said apparatus comprising:

a base;

a vertical moving member slidably connected to the base;

a horizontal moving member slidably connected to the vertical moving member and having a spindle end thereon;

at least one rotating main shaft installed at the main shaft end;

at least one circular saw blade coaxially mounted with the main shaft;

a driving device connected with at least one main shaft and used for rotating at least a circular saw blade;

a clamping device connected with the base and arranged to enable the clamping device to clamp the cylindrical object when at least one circular saw blade scores; and

a feeding device for feeding the cylindrical object to the clamping device.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vertically movable member has a first vertical connecting surface and a first horizontal connecting surface, the vertically movable member being slidably connected to the base with the first vertical connecting surface thereof.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the horizontally movable member has a second horizontal connecting surface, and wherein the horizontally movable member is slidably connected with its second horizontal connecting surface to the first horizontal connecting surface of the vertically movable member.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the clamp member is pivotally mounted in the clamp device, and wherein the clamp member is rotatable within the clamp device and presents the circumference of the cylindrical object in front of the at least one circular saw blade.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the gripping means comprises a collet, the means for feeding the cylindrical object to the gripping means feeds the cylindrical object through a gripping aperture of the collet.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the clamping means comprises:

a slotted horizontal surface for supporting a cylindrical object from below;

a movable clamp member mounted on the horizontal surface of the slot for applying a force to the cylindrical object to clamp it on the horizontal surface of the slot during scoring.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the slotted horizontal surface further comprises a groove that prevents the cylindrical object from easily moving when the movable clamp applies force thereto.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the movable clamp has a groove at the junction with the cylindrical object to more securely clamp it to avoid damaging it.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means for feeding the cylindrical object to the gripping means further comprises pinch roller means mounted adjacent the gripping means for feeding the cylindrical object to the gripping means.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the pinch roller means further comprises:

a first roller for supporting and forcing the cylindrical object to be fed to the clamping means when the clamping means is released;

a second roller for applying a force to the cylindrical object to press it against the first roller to provide friction to push the cylindrical object to the gripping means; and

a lever having a pivotal end connected to the base and a movable end connected to the second roller, wherein spring means is connected between the lever and the base for providing a compression force to the second roller.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus further comprises sensing means for determining the degree of wear of at least one circular saw blade.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the sensing means comprises an electrically conductive sensing means connected to the at least one circular saw blade and the cylindrical object, wherein the cylindrical object is an electrical conductor, and wherein the electrical circuit notifies the position control means when the electrical circuit is completed when the at least one circular saw blade contacts the electrically conductive cylindrical object.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the sensing device comprises a mechanical drag detection device coupled to the circular saw blade via the drive device or the spindle.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the mechanical drag detection device comprises a rotation detection device that monitors rotation of at least one circular saw blade and determines when the saw blade contacts the cylindrical object by moving the spindle up and down as the saw blade approaches the cylindrical object.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the mechanical drag detection means comprises torque detection means for monitoring the amount of change in torque required to laterally rotate the at least one circular saw blade.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the sensing means comprises optical detection means for detecting a gap between the at least one circular saw blade and the cylindrical object.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the circular saw blade, more precisely, comprises a plurality of circular saw blades, wherein each circular saw blade is mounted parallel and coaxially on at least one spindle and each saw blade of the plurality of circular saw blades has the same diameter.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the clamping device comprises a clamp member comprising:

a clamping surface, wherein the surface is provided with a recess for partially receiving and straightly clamping a cylindrical object;

a plurality of slots penetrating from the clamping surface to the back surface;

a leaf spring connected to the clamping surface for forcing the cylindrical object into the recess to clamp against the clamping surface;

a plurality of through holes disposed between the plurality of grooves and penetrating from the back surface to the clamping surface; and

a plurality of push rods, each of which is received in a through hole, are used to lift the leaf spring from the cylindrical object when the cylindrical object has to be manipulated.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the clamping means further comprises an actuator for pushing the push rod through the plurality of through holes when the cylindrical object is ready to be manipulated.

33. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus further comprises positioning means for positioning the cylindrical object relative to the at least one circular saw blade so that the vertical moving member and the horizontal moving member can be properly positioned for scoring.

34. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a second horizontally movable member having a spindle end and a horizontal coupling surface, wherein the horizontally movable member is slidably coupled with the first horizontal coupling surface of the vertically movable member.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising a spindle rotatably connected to the spindle end of the second horizontally movable member and having a saw blade coaxially mounted thereon.

36. A method of scoring a catheter, gauge cable or other cylindrical object using a scoring device comprising: a vertical moving member having a horizontal moving member in cooperation therewith, the horizontal moving member having a main shaft connected thereto; the circular saw blade is rotatably arranged on the main shaft; a clamping means for clamping the cylindrical object when the circular saw blade scores; and a feeding device for feeding the cylindrical object to the gripping device, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a length of cylindrical object to the scoring device for feeding the cylindrical object to the gripping device and for feeding the cylindrical object forward;

(2) causing the clamping means to clamp the cylindrical object;

(3) moving the horizontal moving member forward to a desired scoring depth toward the cylindrical object but adjacent to the object;

(4) moving the vertical moving member upward until the circular saw blade scores the cylindrical object;

(5) the vertical moving member is lowered.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the method comprises the additional steps of:

(1) releasing the clamping means from outside the cylindrical object;

(2) advancing the cylindrical object through the gripping device; and

(3) repeating steps (2) to (5) of claim 19.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the method comprises the additional steps of: the clamping device is rotated so as to rotate the cylindrical object clamped therein, so that different portions of the cylindrical object are presented in front of the circular saw blade.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the method comprises the additional steps of: the clamping device is rotated and the feeding device is used to feed the cylindrical object to the clamping device, thereby rotating the cylindrical object clamped therein and enabling different parts of the cylindrical object to be presented in front of the circular saw blade.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein the method comprises the additional steps of:

1) loosening the clamping device;

2) rotating a feed device for feeding the cylindrical object, thereby rotating the cylindrical object such that different portions of the cylindrical object are presented in front of the circular saw blade; and

3) and clamping the clamping device.

41. An apparatus for making precise scores on catheters, guide wires or generally cylindrical objects, said apparatus comprising:

a base;

a horizontal moving member slidably connected to the base;

a vertical moving member having a spindle end thereon and slidably connected to the horizontal moving member;

at least one rotating main shaft installed at the main shaft end;

at least one circular saw blade coaxially mounted with the main shaft;

a driving device connected with at least one main shaft for rotating at least one circular saw blade;

a clamping device connected with the base and arranged to enable the clamping device to clamp the cylindrical object when at least one circular saw blade scores; and

a feeding device for feeding the cylindrical object to the clamping device.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the vertical moving member has a first vertical connecting surface and a first horizontal connecting surface, the vertical moving member being slidably connected to the first vertical surface of the base.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the horizontally movable member has a second horizontal joint surface, and wherein the horizontally movable member is slidably connected at its second horizontal joint surface to the first horizontal joint surface of the vertically movable member.

44. An apparatus for making precise scores on catheters, guide wires or generally cylindrical objects, said apparatus comprising:

a base;

a lever, which is connected with the base by a pivot end and can move horizontally and vertically by a spindle end opposite to the lever;

at least one rotating main shaft installed at the main shaft end;

at least one circular saw blade coaxially mounted with the main shaft;

a driving device connected with at least one main shaft for rotating at least one circular saw blade;

a clamping device connected with the base and arranged to enable the clamping device to clamp the cylindrical object when at least one circular saw blade scores; and

a feeding device for feeding the cylindrical object to the clamping device.