Patent ID: 8803030

Claim:
A system for removal of slag during laser cutting of a hypotube by a laser cutting system, the system comprising: a laser nozzle configured to flow gas onto an external surface of a hypotube during laser cutting, a gas cooling system, a water inlet regulator; and a slag collecting device, wherein the gas cooling system comprises: a gas supply; a connection member fluidly coupling the gas supply and the laser nozzle; and a gas inflow valve positioned along the connection member, wherein the gas inflow valve is configured to regulate the gas that flows into the laser nozzle from the gas supply through the connection member, and wherein the water inlet regulator comprises: a source of water; a plurality of water injection tubes coupled to the source of water and configured to be coupled to an end of the hypotube, the plurality of water injection tubes arranged in series, with a diameter of each successive water injection tube being smaller than the preceding water injection tube; a pressure valve configured to flow water through the plurality of water injection tubes; and a water inlet gate configured to inject the water into an inner lumen of the hypotube at a velocity configured to facilitate removal of slag generated during the laser cutting of the hypotube, wherein the external water inlet regulator is configured to cool the hypotube during laser cutting, and wherein the slag collecting device is configured to collect the removed slag.