Temperature activated systems

• US 20060207495A1
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Published: 09/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dennis N. Petrakis
• Original Assignee: Dennis N. Petrakis
• Inventors: Petrakis, Dennis N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,287,485 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 116/216
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/00 Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature G01K7/42 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 5/483 using materials with a configuration memory, e.g. Ni-Ti alloys

Abstract

A shape memory material activated device of the present invention uses a shape memory material activator to create a path through a shell wall of the device. The path through the shell wall may release a substance contained in the shell or allow a substance to enter the shell. The path may be created by fracturing, puncturing, exploding, imploding, peeling, tearing, stretching, separating, debonding or otherwise opening the shell. The devices according to the present invention may be used as temperature sensors or warning devices, drug delivery devices, and the like.

Claims

1. A shape memory material activated device for opening a shell containing a substance, the device comprising:

a shell containing a substance; and

a shape memory material activator configured to create a path through the shell in response to exposure of the shape memory material to a temperature above a predetermined temperature, wherein the path through the shell provides variable release of the substance, wherein the device provides an indication of a time that the shape memory material activator has been above the predetermined temperature.

2. A temperature sensor comprising:

a shell containing a substance capable of providing a visible indication upon release of a substance from the shell; and

a shape memory material activator, wherein the shape memory material creates a path through the shell to release the substance when the shape memory material activator attains a predetermined temperature.

3-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A device for releasing a substance to a reservoir, the device comprising:

a shell containing a first substance, and

a reservoir containing a second substance, and

a shape memory material activator configured to create a path through the shell when the shape memory material activator attains a predetermined temperature, to release the first substance.

18-23. -23. (canceled)

24. A device for opening a shell containing a substance on demand, the device comprising:

a shell containing a substance; and

a shape memory material actuator, wherein the shape memory material actuator is configured to create a path through the shell once demanded by a sensor responding to a stimulus, the sensor triggering the heating of the shape memory material actuator to a temperature above a predetermined temperature.

25-32. -32. (canceled)

33. A shape memory material activated device for opening and closing a shell containing a substance, the device comprising:

a multi-part shell containing a substance; and

a shape memory material activator configured to create a path through the shell after the shape memory material activator attains a first predetermined temperature, and configured to close the path after the shape memory material activator attains a second predetermined temperature

wherein the opening of the path through the shell provides a controlled access to the substance.

34-52. -52. (canceled)

53. A device for opening a shell containing a substance at a predetermined temperature range, the device comprising:

a shell containing a substance; and

a shape memory material activator configured to create a path through the shell in response to a change in the temperature of the shape memory material activator by subjecting the shell to a volume change.

54-57. -57. (canceled)

58. A device for opening a shell containing a substance, the device comprising:

a shell containing a substance; and

a shape memory material activator configured to create a plurality of paths through the shell when the shape memory material activator attains a predetermined temperature within a predefined temperature range.

59-63. -63. (canceled)

64. A device for opening a shell containing a substance, the device comprising:

a shell containing a substance;

wherein,

part of the shell is formed from a shape memory material that when subjected to a temperature change within a predetermined temperature range, changes the shape of the shape memory material and creates a path through the shell.

65-114. -114. (canceled)

115. A drug delivery device comprising:

a shell containing a drug; and

a shape memory material activator configured to create a path through the shell to deliver the drug when the shape memory material attains a predetermined temperature.