Trimmer for cutting a coiled strand

摘要

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.