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This is the coronary artery stent cutting laser machine I produced. Johnson & Johnson paid to have a prototype laser developed to cut stents. I designed the electrical distribution system for this Lasag ND:YAG laser stent cutter. I hired workers, trained them to build the machines, equipped a small custom production shop and made about 18 of these. Coronary artery stents are now a big part of coronary medicine. While they cost thousands of dollars to the patient they cost a few dollars to make. They wholesale for about $25 to $100. Yes, medical devices are very profitable. Who would want a $25 part inserted into their heart? Wouldn't you feel better if it cost $1,500?

Shown above is just one panel of a 4 page master electrical schematic of the stent cutting laser system I designed. Several layers of information are included: an electrical diagram, a pictorial view, parts location, a flow chart, functional explanations and even part numbers. This is a kind of documentation I discovered was possible, though not conventional, with the computer. "Classic documentation" is simply an artifact of the tools of drafting. My documentation is far richer in information. It shows complete systems that can be easily followed when troubleshooting is required. Johnson & Johnson received my complete 4-panel design that was 6 feet long.

This machine produces stents. Stainless steel tubing is laser cut under control of a CAD/CAM computer program. A stent can be cut in about 5 minutes. Boston Scientific, Scimed, Isostent, and others bought machines I manufactured.

I would have made a lot money. Unfortunately the company owner never delivered on his promises to give me stock, bonuses and "take care of me". Instead he spent the cash that came in on trips to Europe, Hawaii, bought a new Mercedes, and sent his daughter to Harvard Medical School! What a con artist. What a disappointment to me for all my long, hard work. So one day I moved my tools and computer home and started Widget Magic. I will never give my talents away again to people who cheat me. Most people would be bitter, file a law suit, etc. Instead I simply moved on to better things!

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