Trimmer for cutting a coiled strand

Abstract

A cutting device for trimming a coiled strand, such as an arterial, urinary or other intraluminal stent made from metal or plastic wire, has a pair of articulating arms connected at a pivot joint. One of the arms has a holding jaw for holding the coiled strand. A second of the arms has a jaw with a cutter. The holding jaw has a passageway through which the coiled strand may be threaded to aid in holding the coiled strand for cutting by the cutter. The holding jaw preferably has a guide channel formed by a pair of tapered walls that slide between adjacent turns of the coiled strand In accordance with a method of the invention, an end of the coiled strand is introduced through the passageway in the holding jaw. The coiled strand is rotated to advance the coiled strand through the passageway until the coiled strand is positioned beneath the cutting jaw at the selected location. The lever portions and the jaw portions are then urged together, cutting the coiled strand at the selected location.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A method for cutting a coiled strand to a selected length, comprising the steps of: 
 (A) providing a cutting device having a pair of articulating arms pivotally connected at a pivot joint, each of said pair of articulating arms having a lever portion disposed proximal to said pivot joint and a jaw portion disposed distal to said pivot joint, said jaw portions being urged together when said lever portions are urged together, a first of said jaw portions being a holding jaw for holding the coiled strand and a second of said jaw portions being a cutting jaw for cutting the coiled strand, said holding jaw having a passageway therein through which the coiled strand may be threaded to hold the coiled strand for cutting the coiled strand at a selected location by said cutting jaw;    (B) introducing an end of the coiled strand through the passageway in the holding jaw;    (C) rotating the coiled strand to advance the coiled strand through the passageway until the coiled strand is positioned beneath the cutting jaw at the selected location;    (D) urging said lever portions and said jaw portions together; and    (E) cutting the coiled strand at the selected location.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said cutting device has a guide channel on the holding jaw, the guide channel terminating at one end in the passageway in the holding jaw and wherein said step (B) of introducing includes passing the end of the coiled strand through the guide channel prior to introducing the coiled strand through the passageway in the holding jaw.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said step of cutting results in the cut end being rounded.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein step of cutting is conducted without distorting the coiled strand.