Patent ID: 7594974
Filing Date: 2009-09-29
Classification: A61F,B23K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of creating an implantable medical prosthesis, comprising: a. providing a sheet of pericardium, wherein the pericardium has at least two tissue layers; b. supporting the sheet of pericardium with a support platform; c. providing a laser cutting apparatus having a laser tube assembly configured to create a laser beam which is directed through a series of optical elements to direct a laser beam on the support platform; and d. cutting a segment of tissue out of the sheet of pericardium with a laser beam; said cutting comprising operating the laser apparatus at a power and pulse rate such that said laser beam welds the layers of the pericardium together along a laser cut edge wherein sufficient energy is imparted to vaporize portions of the pericardium along the cut edge and to at least partially melt the cut edges without substantial burning of the pericardium adjacent the cut edge and further wherein the cut edge of the tissue segment is not susceptible to premature wear.