Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for finishing surfaces and edges of a stent. The apparatus may be capable of rotating a turning wheel, lowering the turning wheel onto a stent, tilting the stent, and polishing and deburring exterior, interior, and wall surfaces of the stent. An automated method is provided for polishing and deburring exterior, interior, and wall surfaces of a stent. Additionally, the automated method may include rotating a turning wheel, applying magnetic abrasive particles to the turning wheel, lowering the turning wheel onto the stent, tilting the stent, and polishing and deburring the exterior, interior, and wall surfaces of the stent.

Abstract: A magnetic-field-guidance system and methods of finishing a workpiece using a magnetic-field-guidance system are provided. The magnetic-field-guidance system comprises a workpiece holder, one or more tooling magnets each comprising a finishing tip, and one or more flexible bags containing magnetic media. The workpiece holder is configured to (a) be secured to a base and (b) secure a workpiece relative to the base. The flexible bag(s) are configured to be disposed on the opposite side and/or same side of the workpiece relative to the one or more tooling magnets. In collaboration with the tooling magnets, the magnetic media contained with the flexible bag(s) direct a magnetic field which thereby guides a magnetic-abrasive slurry to finish the workpiece using Magnetic Abrasive Finishing (MAF).

Abstract: Various examples are provided for polishing techniques for flexible tubular workpieces. In one example, a method includes supporting a tubular workpiece on a rod that extends axially through it; positioning a turning wheel against an external surface of the tubular workpiece, where it is held by magnetic attraction; and rotating the tubular workpiece by rotating the turning wheel. The external surface of the tubular workpiece is polished by the abrasive particles during rotation of the tubular workpiece. In another example, a polishing system includes a workpiece holder including a rod configured to axially support a tubular workpiece; a turning wheel with abrasive particles distributed about an outer surface; a wheel support assembly configured to position the outer surface of the turning wheel against the an external surface of the tubular workpiece, where it is held by magnetic attraction. The external surface is polished during rotation of the tubular workpiece.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for hybrid tools including fixed-abrasive and loose-abrasive phases. In one example, a hybrid tool for finishing an internal surface of a workpiece includes a metallic rod and magnetic abrasive bonded to one or more defined portions of the metallic rod by an adhesive that dissolves when n contact with a lubricant used to finish the internal surface of the workpiece. In another example, a method for finishing an internal surface of a workpiece includes mounting the workpiece in a chuck of a lathe; positioning a hybrid tool inside an internal cavity of the workpiece using one or more pole-tips; providing an amount of the lubricant to the internal cavity; and rotating the workpiece with the lathe while controlling positioning of the hybrid tool inside the internal cavity using the one or more pole-types.

Abstract: A magnetic-field-guidance system and methods of finishing a workpiece using a magnetic-field-guidance system are provided. The magnetic-field-guidance system comprises a workpiece holder, one or more tooling magnets each comprising a finishing tip, and one or more flexible bags containing magnetic media. The workpiece holder is configured to (a) be secured to a base and (b) secure a workpiece relative to the base. The flexible bag(s) are configured to be disposed on the opposite side and/or same side of the workpiece relative to the one or more tooling magnets. In collaboration with the tooling magnets, the magnetic media contained with the flexible bag(s) direct a magnetic field which thereby guides a magnetic-abrasive slurry to finish the workpiece using Magnetic Abrasive Finishing (MAF).

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for finishing surfaces and edges of a stent. The apparatus may be capable of rotating a turning wheel, lowering the turning wheel onto a stent, tilting the stent, and polishing and deburring exterior, interior, and wall surfaces of the stent. An automated method is provided for polishing and deburring exterior, interior, and wall surfaces of a stent. Additionally, the automated method may include rotating a turning wheel, applying magnetic abrasive particles to the turning wheel, lowering the turning wheel onto the stent, tilting the stent, and polishing and deburring the exterior, interior, and wall surfaces of the stent.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for polishing techniques for flexible tubular workpieces. In one example, a method includes supporting a tubular workpiece on a rod that extends axially through it; positioning a turning wheel against an external surface of the tubular workpiece, where it is held by magnetic attraction; and rotating the tubular workpiece by rotating the turning wheel. The external surface of the tubular workpiece is polished by the abrasive particles during rotation of the tubular workpiece. In another example, a polishing system includes a workpiece holder including a rod configured to axially support a tubular workpiece; a turning wheel with abrasive particles distributed about an outer surface; a wheel support assembly configured to position the outer surface of the turning wheel against the an external surface of the tubular workpiece, where it is held by magnetic attraction. The external surface is polished during rotation of the tubular workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heart valves made from a polymeric material, such as silicone. Specifically exemplified are heart valve embodiments made from a one or two-pieces of material, or which have low thrombogenic potential. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating such valves. Furthermore, also disclosed are systems for testing performance of heart valves.

Abstract: Various examples of methods, devices, apparatus and systems are provided for coaxial biopsy needles. In one example, a coaxial biopsy needle includes an external needle including cutting edges at a distal end, the external needle affixed to an outer casing of a syringe at a proximal end and an inner stylette coaxially located within the external needle, where the inner stylette is affixed to a plunger of the syringe at a proximal end. In another example, a method includes inserting a coaxial biopsy needle into tissue to a first depth, maintaining the inner stylette at the first depth while further extending the external needle to a second depth in the tissue with the external needle cutting around a portion of the tissue surrounded by the external needle, and retracting the coaxial biopsy needle from the tissue to remove the portion of the tissue.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for hybrid tools including fixed-abrasive and loose- abrasive phases. In one example, a hybrid tool for finishing an internal surface of a workpiece includes a metallic rod and magnetic abrasive bonded to one or more defined portions of the metallic rod by an adhesive that dissolves when n contact with a lubricant used to finish the internal surface of the workpiece. In another example, a method for finishing an internal surface of a workpiece includes mounting the workpiece in a chuck of a lathe; positioning a hybrid tool inside an internal cavity of the workpiece using one or more pole-tips; providing an amount of the lubricant to the internal cavity; and rotating the workpiece with the lathe while controlling positioning of the hybrid tool inside the internal cavity using the one or more pole-types.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a system and method of processing a surface using a mixture containing magnetic particles. A mixture is disposed on a workpiece and exposed to a dynamic magnetic field. In response to the dynamic magnetic field, the magnetic particles of the mixture may move along the workpiece. The movement of the magnetic particles creates a pattern of grooves on the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a system and method of processing a surface using a mixture containing magnetic particles. A mixture is disposed on a workpiece and exposed to a dynamic magnetic field. In response to the dynamic magnetic field, the magnetic particles of the mixture may move along the workpiece. The movement of the magnetic particles creates a pattern of grooves on the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for extending cutting tool life includes a vise, a jig provided in the vise adapted to hold or support a magnetic cutting tool insert, a magnet holder positioned above the jig that can be rotated, a magnet held in proximity to the jig by the magnet holder, and a mixture including abrasive particles that extends between the magnet and the jig, the mixture being supported by a magnetic field generated by the magnet, wherein when the magnet holder rotates, the magnet and the mixture of magnetic and abrasive particles rotate to finish a surface of the tool insert.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are heart valves made from a polymeric material, such as silicone. Specifically exemplified are heart valve embodiments made from a one or two-pieces of material, or which have low thrombogenic potential. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating such valves. Furthermore, also disclosed are systems for testing performance of heart valves.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves various embodiments for finishing the internal wall of a capillary tube. A quantity of abrasive particles and a rod are placed in a capillary tube, wherein a portion of the abrasive particles is magnetic. A magnet is positioned near a side of the capillary tube, thereby attracting the abrasive particles toward an internal wall of the capillary tube. A relative rotation of the capillary tube is produced with respect to the magnet, thereby causing the abrasive particles to finish the internal wall of the capillary tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves various embodiments for finishing the internal wall of a capillary tube. A quantity of abrasive particles and a rod are placed in a capillary tube, wherein a portion of the abrasive particles is magnetic. A magnet is positioned near a side of the capillary tube, thereby attracting the abrasive particles toward an internal wall of the capillary tube. A relative rotation of the capillary tube is produced with respect to the magnet, thereby causing the abrasive particles to finish the internal wall of the capillary tube.