Technique of forming expandable devices from cells that may be transitioned between a contracted state and an expanded state
First Claim
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1. An expandable device, comprising:
- an expansion member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, each cell having a thin strut pivotably coupled to a thick strut.
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Abstract
An expandable device comprising a plurality of expandable cells. The cells may be bistable cells or other types of cells that are expanded from a contracted position towards an expanded position. Additionally, the cells may be combined with locking mechanisms to hold the structure in an expanded position.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An expandable device, comprising:
an expansion member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, each cell having a thin strut pivotably coupled to a thick strut. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An expandable device, comprising:
an expansion member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, each of the plurality of cells comprising a thick strut, a first thin strut and a second thin strut. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An expandable device, comprising:
an expansion member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, each of the plurality of cells comprising a spring member to hold the cell in the open position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25)
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18. An expandable device, comprising:
an expansion member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, each of the plurality of cells comprising a thick strut and a thin strut, the thin strut having a plurality of flexible joints.
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22. An expandable device, comprising:
an expansion member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, each cell having a thin strut coupled to a thick strut by a ligament. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 38)
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26. A method of expanding a device, comprising:
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creating a plurality of bistable cells in a wall of the device by coupling thin struts to corresponding thick struts through hinge joints; and
applying an expansion force to the wall in a direction that transitions the plurality of bistable cells from a contracted state to an expanded state.
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35. An apparatus, comprising:
an expandable member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, the plurality of cells comprising cells of differing sizes.
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37. An apparatus, comprising:
an expandable member having a plurality of cells that are expandable from a closed position to an open position, the plurality of cells comprising cells of differing configurations.
Specification