Selectively activated shape memory device

• US 6,072,154 A
• Filed: 12/31/1996
• Issued: 06/06/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Maynard, Ronald S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): FUQUA, SHAWNTINA T
• Application Number:
  US08/774,565
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 604/53, 604/95, 604/93, 604/114, 604/281, 128/657, 128/658, 128/786, 219/209, 219/201, 219/522, 219/528, 219/533, 219/534, 219/548, 219/552, 219/553
• US Class Current: 219/209
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0058 using shape-memory elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/848 having means for fixation to the vessel wall, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/92 Stents in the form of a rolled-up sheet expanding after insertion into the vessel , e.g. with a spiral shape in cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0158 with magnetic or electrical means, e.g. by using piezo materials, electroactive polymers, magnetic materials or by heating of shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/065 using a shape memory element

Abstract

A shape memory device includes a shape memory alloy member configured to have at least a portion of the shape memory alloy member be selectively activated. A heating device is coupled to the member and configured to provide heat to a selected section of the member and activate at least a portion of the selected section.

Claims

1. A catheter, comprising:

an elongated device including a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis;

a shape memory alloy member coupled to the elongated device;

an insulating film positioned on a surface of the shape memory alloy member and electrically isolating the shape memory alloy member from passage of current through the shape memory alloy member; and

a plurality of independently controllable heating elements patterned on the insulating film, each of the independently controllable heating elements of the plurality providing heat to an adjacent selected section of the shape memory alloy member and providing activation of only an area below the independently controllable heating element of the elongated device in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein an activation of at least a portion of the selected section provides a variable Young'"'"'s modulus of at least a portion of the shape memory alloy member.

3. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising:

a micro-fabricated conductive path coupled to the plurality of independently controllable heating elements.

4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the member is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated device.

5. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the member is a continuous sheet.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the member is a sheet which includes perforations.

7. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member is made of a plurality of interconnected separate shape memory alloy members.

8. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member has a three-dimensional geometry.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the member is a wire-like structure.

10. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member is a tube-like structure.

12. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the member is positioned on an external surface of the elongated device.

13. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member is positioned on an internal surface of the elongated device.

14. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the member is positioned on an external surface of the elongated device.

15. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member is positioned in an interior section of the elongated device.

16. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the member is positioned at least partially circumferentially around the elongated device.

17. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the member is positioned at least partially circumferentially at an exterior surface of the elongated device.

18. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member is positioned at least partially circumferentially at an interior surface of the elongated device.

19. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member is positioned at least partially circumferentially in an interior of the elongated device.

20. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongated device has a tubular geometric configuration.

21. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongated device has a solid cross-section.

22. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongated device includes an interior lumen.

11. A catheter, comprising:

an elongated device including a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis;

a shape memory alloy member coupled to the elongated device;

an insulating film positioned on a surface of the shape memory alloy member and electrically isolating the shape memory alloy member from passage of current through the shape memory alloy member; and

a plurality of independently controllable heating elements patterned on the insulating film, each of the independently controllable heating elements of the plurality providing heat to an adjacent selected section of the shape memory alloy member and providing activation of only an area below the independently controllable heating element of the elongated device in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member, wherein the shape memory alloy member includes at least one slot formed in the shape memory alloy member.

23. A catheter, comprising:

a shape memory alloy member with a longitudinal axis and configured to be selectively activated at a selected site of the shape memory alloy member;

an insulating film positioned on a surface of the shape memory alloy member and electrically isolating the shape memory alloy member from passage of current through the shape memory alloy member; and

a plurality of independently controllable heating elements patterned on the insulating film, each of the independently controllable heating elements of the plurality providing heat to an adjacent selected section of the shape memory alloy member and providing activation of only an area below the independently controllable heating element of the adjacent selected section in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the sheet of the shape memory alloy member.

24. The catheter of claim 23, wherein an activation of at least a portion of the selected section provides a variable Young'"'"'s modulus of at least a portion of the shape memory alloy member.

25. The catheter of claim 23, further comprising:

a micro-fabricated conductive path coupled to the plurality of independently controllable heating elements.

27. The catheter of claim 23, wherein the shape memory alloy member is made of a plurality of interconnected separate shape memory alloy members.

28. The catheter of claim 23, wherein the shape memory alloy member includes at least one slot formed in the shape memory alloy member.

26. A catheter, comprising:

a shape memory alloy member with a longitudinal axis and configured to be selectively activated at a selected site of the shape memory alloy member;

an insulating film positioned on a surface of the shape memory alloy member and electrically isolating the shape memory alloy member from passage of current through the shape memory alloy member; and

a plurality of independently controllable heating elements patterned on the insulating film, each of the independently controllable heating elements of the plurality providing heat to an adjacent selected section of the shape memory alloy member and providing activation of only an area below the independently controllable heating element of the adjacent selected section in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the sheet of the shape memory alloy member; and

a plurality of patterned conductor lines, each of the patterned conductor lines being coupled to an independently controllable heating element, the plurality of conductor lines being patterned on the insulating film.

29. A catheter, comprising:

an elongated device including a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis;

a shape memory alloy member coupled to the elongated device;

an insulating film positioned on a surface of the shape memory alloy member and electrically isolating the shape memory alloy member from passage of current through the shape memory alloy member; and

a plurality of independently controllable heating elements patterned on the insulating film, each of the independently controllable heating elements of the plurality providing heat to an adjacent selected section of the shape memory alloy member and providing activation of only an area below the independently controllable heating element of the elongated device in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member; and

a plurality of conductor lines, each of the conductor lines being coupled to an independently controllable heating element, the plurality of conductor lines being patterned on the insulating film.