Shape memory polymer actuator and catheter
First Claim
1. A shape memory polymer device for acting upon a material in a conduit, comprising:
- a transport vehicle adapted to move through said conduit, a shape memory material operatively connected to said transport vehicle, said shape memory material adapted to move through or around said material while in a first shape and capable to transition from a first shape to a second and different shape for acting upon said material, and a heat transfer mechanism operatively connected to said shape memory material, adapted to transfer heat to said shape memory material to transition said shape memory material from said first shape to said second shape.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for removing an occlusion from a vessel. The system utilizes a shape memory polymer device for acting upon the occlusion. A transport vehicle moves a shape memory material through the vessel. The shape memory material is adapted to move from a first unexpanded coil shape to move through or around the occlusion, to a second expanded coil shape for acting upon the occlusion. A heat transfer mechanism is operatively connected to the shape memory material and is adapted to transfer heat to the shape memory material to move the shape memory material from the first shape to the second shape. The transport vehicle and the shape memory polymer material is withdrawn through the conduit carrying the occlusion matter. The system may include a second shape memory polymer device situated so that the occlusion material is gripped from both sides to facilitate removal.
229 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A shape memory polymer device for acting upon a material in a conduit, comprising:
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a transport vehicle adapted to move through said conduit, a shape memory material operatively connected to said transport vehicle, said shape memory material adapted to move through or around said material while in a first shape and capable to transition from a first shape to a second and different shape for acting upon said material, and a heat transfer mechanism operatively connected to said shape memory material, adapted to transfer heat to said shape memory material to transition said shape memory material from said first shape to said second shape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22)
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19. A shape memory polymer device for acting upon a material in a conduit, comprising:
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a transport vehicle adapted to move through said conduit, a first shape memory material operatively connected to said transport vehicle, said first shape memory material adapted to move through or around said material while in a first shape and capable of transitioning from said first shape to a second and different shape for acting upon said material, a second shape memory material operatively connected to said transport vehicle adapted to move through said conduit and capable of transitioning from an initial shape to a different shape for acting upon said material, and a heat transfer mechanism operatively connected to said first shape memory material and said second shape memory material, adapted to transfer heat to said first shape memory material and said second shape memory material to transition said first shape memory material from said first shape to said second shape and to transition said second shape memory material from said initial shape to said different shape. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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23. A method of removing matter from a conduit, comprising the steps of:
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passing a transport vehicle and a shape memory polymer material through said conduit, passing said shape memory polymer material through or around said matter, transmitting energy to said shape memory polymer material for moving said shape memory polymer material from a first shape to a second and different shape, and withdrawing said transport vehicle and said shape memory polymer material through said conduit carrying said matter. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method of removing matter from a conduit, comprising the steps of:
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passing a transport vehicle carrying a first shape memory polymer material and a second shape memory material through said conduit, passing said first shape memory polymer material through or around said matter, positioning said second shape memory polymer material adjacent said matter, transmitting energy to said first shape memory polymer material for moving said first shape memory polymer material from a first shape to a second and different shape and for moving said second shape memory material from an initial shape to a different shape, and withdrawing said transport vehicle, said first shape memory polymer material, and said second shape memory polymer material through said conduit carrying said matter. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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Specification