Device or apparatus for manipulating matter
First Claim
1. A surgical apparatus for manipulating matter at an intended manipulation temperature in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising:
- (i) manipulator means at least partly constructed of an elongate shape memory alloy member, said shape memory alloy member having a distal end, said shape memory alloy member having two arms at said distal end thereof, said two arms having tips that approach but are not fixed to one another, said shape memory alloy member having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and(ii) a barrier member spanning said two arms;
(iii) a hollow cannula initially holding the shape memory alloy member in a relatively straightened state, and(iv) actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member with said barrier member from the housing to manipulate matter within said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape memory alloy member bends or twists pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at said manipulation temperature, and the shape memory alloy member becomes relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at said temperature.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention accordingly provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature.
Preferably the invention provides such a device or apparatus which is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and which has the manipulator means at its distal end with the shape memory alloy member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within that body, and wherein the actuating means is operable from the proximal end of the device.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A surgical apparatus for manipulating matter at an intended manipulation temperature in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising:
-
(i) manipulator means at least partly constructed of an elongate shape memory alloy member, said shape memory alloy member having a distal end, said shape memory alloy member having two arms at said distal end thereof, said two arms having tips that approach but are not fixed to one another, said shape memory alloy member having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and (ii) a barrier member spanning said two arms; (iii) a hollow cannula initially holding the shape memory alloy member in a relatively straightened state, and (iv) actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member with said barrier member from the housing to manipulate matter within said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape memory alloy member bends or twists pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at said manipulation temperature, and the shape memory alloy member becomes relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at said temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A surgical device comprising:
-
(a) a housing; (b) an elastically deformable loop formed at least partially from a shape memory alloy wire and a barrier member disposed thereon, wherein said loop comprises two arms, each arm having a distal end and a proximal end, which distal ends approach, but are not fixed to each other; and (c) means for reversibly moving the arms between a first position wherein they are constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the arms are unconstrained by the housing and assume an expanded memory shape, said proximal ends being attached to said means for moving anal said means being capable of withdrawing said arms into the housing independently of the barrier member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A remotely operated surgical device comprising:
-
(a) an elongate housing; (b) a retractor, the retractor comprising a deformable loop comprising two finger-shaped members, wherein a membrane spans an area between said two finger-shaped members; and (c) means for projecting and retracting the retractor relative to the housing between a first position wherein the retractor is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the retractor is unconstrained by the housing and assumes an expanded memory shape. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
Specification