METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND ADJUSTING THE INTENSITY PROFILE OF A LASER BEAM EMPLOYED IN A LASER WELDER FOR WELDING POLYMERIC AND METALLIC COMPONENTS

摘要

A method and apparatus is provided for forming a fusion bond between two materials such as two components of a catheter. The method begins by forming a bond site by positioning a portion of a first body with respect to a portion of a second body so that a fusion bond site is formed. A laser beam (14) is generated that has an intensity profile across its width. The laser beam (14) is directed onto at least a portion of the first (20) and second bodies (22) within the bond site so that a fusion zone having an increased temperature is formed. After the laser beam is generated, the intensity profile of the laser beam that is directed onto the bond site is controllably adjusted by an optical element such as a dynamically-adjustable beam shaping element.