Device for moving two objects relative to each other
First Claim
1. A device for moving a first object relative to a second object, said device comprising a first part fixed to said first object and a second part fixed to said second object, said first part comprising a centrally disposed elongated rod-like portion, along which said second part can move, said second part being provided with a clamping member disposed about said elongated portion for engaging said elongated portion and which comprises shape memory metal for giving said clamping member a clamping shape or a releasing shape depending on the temperature of the shape memory metal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for moving a first object relative to a second object, which device comprises a first part, which can be fixed to the first object, and a second part, which can be fixed to the second object. The first part comprises an elongated portion, along which the second part can move, which second part is provided with a clamping member, which is capable of clampingly engaging the elongated portion. The clamping member comprises shape memory metal, which gives the clamping member a clamping shape or a releasing (non-clamping) shape, depending on the temperature of the shape memory metal. The device may be suitable for being implanted into a human or animal body, whereby the first object is a first bone portion and the second object is a second bone portion, which bone portions are to be moved relative to each other.
179 Citations
14 Claims
- 1. A device for moving a first object relative to a second object, said device comprising a first part fixed to said first object and a second part fixed to said second object, said first part comprising a centrally disposed elongated rod-like portion, along which said second part can move, said second part being provided with a clamping member disposed about said elongated portion for engaging said elongated portion and which comprises shape memory metal for giving said clamping member a clamping shape or a releasing shape depending on the temperature of the shape memory metal.
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13. A method for moving two objects relative to each other with a relative movement device comprising a first part including a centrally disposed elongated rod-like portion and a second part including a clamping member disposed about said elongated portion comprising shape memory metal which can be heated or cooled to yield a clamping shape or a releasing shape so as to clamp onto or release from said elongated portion of said first part, said method comprising the steps of:
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a. affixing said first part to one object and affixing said second part to the other object;
b. clamping said clamping member onto said elongated portion at a first location;
c. heating said clamping member to form a releasing shape thereby releasing said clamping member from said elongated portion;
d. moving said second part relative to said first part; and
e. cooling said clamping member to form a clamping shape thereby clamping said clamping member to said elongated portion at a second location spaced apart from said first location. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification