BIDIRECTIONAL SHAPE MEMORY DEVICE
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a conductive wire that is thermoresistive, the wire coupled to a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead;
a shape memory polymer coating the wire between the first and second electrical leads;
wherein (a) in a first configuration the wire is linear;
(b) in response to a first current level of a first current, transmitted between the first and second electrical leads, the wire expands, and (c) in response to a second current level, unequal to the first current level, the wire contracts.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A resistively heated shape memory polymer device is operated using resistive heating to heat the shape memory polymer device. The resistively heated shape memory polymer device is made by providing a wire that includes a resistive medium. The wire is coated with a first shape memory polymer. The wire is exposed and electrical leads are attached to the wire. In one embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a clot destruction device. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a microvalve. In another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a micropump. In yet another embodiment the shape memory polymer device is in the form of a thermostat or relay switch.
7 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a conductive wire that is thermoresistive, the wire coupled to a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead; a shape memory polymer coating the wire between the first and second electrical leads; wherein (a) in a first configuration the wire is linear;
(b) in response to a first current level of a first current, transmitted between the first and second electrical leads, the wire expands, and (c) in response to a second current level, unequal to the first current level, the wire contracts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A microvalve device, comprising:
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a coil made from a resistively heated shape memory polymer coil, wherein said shape memory polymer coil includes an outside shape memory polymer coating on a conductive inner material containing a resistive medium, and a plunger connected to said shape memory polymer coil for opening and dosing the microvalve device.
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10. A micropump device, comprising:
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a coil made from a resistively heated shape memory polymer coil, wherein said shape memory polymer coil includes an outside shape memory polymer coating on a conductive inner material containing a resistive medium, and a cylinder connected to said shape memory polymer coil for operating the microvalve device.
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11. A thermostat device, comprising:
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a coil made from a resistively heated shape memory polymer coil, wherein said shape memory polymer coil includes an outside shape memory polymer coating on a conductive inner material containing a resistive medium, and contacts connected to said shape memory polymer coil for operating the thermostat device.
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12. A relay switch device, comprising:
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a coil made from a resistively heated shape memory polymer coil, wherein said shape memory polymer coil includes an outside shape memory polymer coating on a conductive inner material containing a resistive medium, and contacts connected to said shape memory polymer coil for operating the relay switch device.
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Specification