Shape memory alloy/shape memory polymer tools
First Claim
1. An apparatus for minimally invasive applications, said apparatus having a longitudinal axis with said apparatus extending in a radial direction from said longitudinal axis and said apparatus being activated by a change in temperature, comprising:
- a first unit comprising a first structure for at least positioning said apparatus, said first structure including a quantity of shape memory alloy and a second unit comprising a second structure for at least positioning said apparatus, said second structure including a quantity of shape memory polymer, said first unit comprising said first structure including said shape memory alloy having a longitudinally extending coiled configuration with more than one wrap, and said second unit comprising said second structure including said shape memory polymer comprising a cylinder, wherein said first unit is positioned in said second unit such that changes in temperature of said shape memory alloy causes said first unit to change position by a radial contraction and a longitudinal extension and to stretch said second unit comprising said second structure including said shape memory polymer along said longitudinal axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Micro-electromechanical tools for minimally invasive techniques including microsurgery. These tools utilize composite shape memory alloy (SMA), shape memory polymer (SMP) and combinations of SMA and SMP to produce catheter distal tips, actuators, etc., which are bistable. Applications for these structures include: 1) a method for reversible fine positioning of a catheter tip, 2) a method for reversible fine positioning of tools or therapeutic catheters by a guide catheter, 3) a method for bending articulation through the body'"'"'s vasculature, 4) methods for controlled stent delivery, deployment, and repositioning, and 5) catheters with variable modulus, with vibration mode, with inchworm capability, and with articulated tips. These actuators and catheter tips are bistable and are opportune for in vivo usage because the materials are biocompatible and convenient for intravascular use as well as other minimal by invasive techniques.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An apparatus for minimally invasive applications, said apparatus having a longitudinal axis with said apparatus extending in a radial direction from said longitudinal axis and said apparatus being activated by a change in temperature, comprising:
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a first unit comprising a first structure for at least positioning said apparatus, said first structure including a quantity of shape memory alloy and a second unit comprising a second structure for at least positioning said apparatus, said second structure including a quantity of shape memory polymer, said first unit comprising said first structure including said shape memory alloy having a longitudinally extending coiled configuration with more than one wrap, and said second unit comprising said second structure including said shape memory polymer comprising a cylinder, wherein said first unit is positioned in said second unit such that changes in temperature of said shape memory alloy causes said first unit to change position by a radial contraction and a longitudinal extension and to stretch said second unit comprising said second structure including said shape memory polymer along said longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 23, 24, 25)
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9. An apparatus for minimally invasive applications, said apparatus having a longitudinal axis with said apparatus extending in a radial direction from said longitudinal axis and said apparatus being activated by a change in temperature, comprising:
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a first structure for at least positioning said apparatus, said first structure having an axis aligned with said longitudinal axis of said apparatus and said first structure having a longitudinally extending coiled configuration with more than one wrap, said first structure including a quantity of shape memory alloy in said longitudinally extending coiled configuration with more than one wrap, and a second structure for at least positioning said apparatus, a quantity of shape memory polymer in said second structure, wherein said quantity of shape memory polymer in said second structure is a cylinder, and wherein said first structure including a quantity of shape memory alloy is positioned in said second structure that is a cylinder and wherein said first structure including a quantity of shape memory alloy is positioned in said second structure that is a cylinder such that changes in temperature of said shape memory alloy causes said first structure to change position by a radial contraction and a longitudinal extension and to stretch said second structure along said longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27)
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28. An articulated tip for a catheter, said articulated tip having a central axis with said articulated tip extending in a radial direction from said central axis and said articulated tip being activated by a change in temperature, comprising
a composite of shape memory alloy forming a first portion of said articulated tip with said composite of shape memory alloy having an axis that is aligned with said central axis of the articulated tip for a catheter and shape memory polymer forming a second portion of said articulated tip, wherein said shape memory polymer comprises a cylinder, and wherein said first portion of said articulated tip with said composite of shape memory alloy is positioned in second portion of said articulated tip such that changes in temperature of said shape memory alloy causes said first portion of said articulated tip with said composite of shape memory alloy to change position by a radial contraction and a longitudinal extension and to stretch said second portion of said articulated along said central axis.
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29. A device for reversible fine positioning of an object, said device being activated by a change in temperature, comprising:
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a member constructed of shape memory polymer portion, wherein said shape memory polymer portion comprises a cylinder and said cylinder has a cylinder central axis, said member including a shape memory alloy portion with a coiled configuration with more than one wrap, wherein said shape memory alloy portion is located in said shape memory polymer portion such that changes in temperature of said shape memory alloy portion causes said shape memory alloy portion to change position by a radial contraction and a longitudinal extension and to stretch said shape memory polymer portion along said cylinder central axis that will cause said device to move upon a change in configuration of said shape memory alloy portion, and means for selectively heating said shape memory alloy portion to change temperature of said shape memory alloy portion causing said shape memory alloy portion to change position by a radial contraction and a longitudinal extension and to stretch said shape memory polymer portion along said cylinder central axis and cause a change in configuration thereof, whereby the change in configuration results in positioning of said object.
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Specification