Microfabricated therapeutic actuators
First Claim
1. A method for providing controlled deposition of an object, comprising:
- providing a quantity of shape memory polymer material;
positioning at least a portion of an object to be deposited into at least a portion of the shape memory polymer material;
heating the material to a temperature above a temperature Tg causing softening of the material;
applying pressure to the heated material causing the material to reshape about the object positioned therein; and
cooling the material to a temperature below Tg causing the material to harden and retain the object therein.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Microfabricated therapeutic actuators are fabricated using a shape memory polymer (SMP), a polyurethane-based material that undergoes a phase transformation at a specified temperature (Tg). At a temperature above temperature Tg material is soft and can be easily reshaped into another configuration. As the temperature is lowered below temperature Tg the new shape is fixed and locked in as long as the material stays below temperature Tg. Upon reheating the material to a temperature above Tg, the material will return to its original shape. By the use of such SMP material, SMP microtubing can be used as a release actuator for the delivery of embolic coils through catheters into aneurysms, for example. The microtubing can be manufactured in various sizes and the phase change temperature Tg is determinate for an intended temperature target and intended use.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for providing controlled deposition of an object, comprising:
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providing a quantity of shape memory polymer material; positioning at least a portion of an object to be deposited into at least a portion of the shape memory polymer material; heating the material to a temperature above a temperature Tg causing softening of the material; applying pressure to the heated material causing the material to reshape about the object positioned therein; and cooling the material to a temperature below Tg causing the material to harden and retain the object therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for retaining and releasing an object from a quantity of shape memory polymer material comprising:
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positioning at least a portion of an object to be retained and released into at least a portion of the shape memory polymer material; heating the shape memory polymer material to a temperature above a temperature Tg causing softening of the material; applying pressure to the softened material causing the material to reshape about at least a portion of the object positioned therein; cooling the material to a temperature below the temperature Tg causing the material to harden and retain the object therein; and reheating the material to a temperature above the temperature Tg causing the material to soften and return to its original configuration thereby enabling the object retained therein to be released therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification