Thermal transition methods and devices
First Claim
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1. A method of sequentially transitioning a thermally active shape memory device, comprising the steps of:
- progressively translocating said thermally active shape memory device through a first temperature zone of a lumen comprising said first temperature zone;
progressively translocating said thermally active shape memory device through a controlled temperature zone of said lumen, wherein said first temperature zone and said controlled temperature zone are at materially different temperatures; and
progressively and sequentially thermally transitioning a geometric change in shape of said thermally active shape memory device at said controlled temperature zone as said shape memory device is progressively translocated through said lumen as a result of thermal transfer between said shape memory device and said lumen at said controlled temperature zone of said lumen,wherein the progressive and sequential thermal transitioning of the geometric change in shape of said thermally active shape memory device progressively and sequentially produces a shape transitioned thermally active shape memory device.
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Abstract
A method of sequentially transitioning a thermally active shape memory device progressively translocates the thermally active shape memory device through a first controlled temperature zone and through an additional controlled temperature zone. The thermally active shape memory device is thermally transitioned and changed in geometric shape as a result of thermal communication of the shape memory device with either or both of the controlled temperature zones to produce a transitioned thermally active shape memory device. Novel devices produced according to the method are also disclosed.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of sequentially transitioning a thermally active shape memory device, comprising the steps of:
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progressively translocating said thermally active shape memory device through a first temperature zone of a lumen comprising said first temperature zone; progressively translocating said thermally active shape memory device through a controlled temperature zone of said lumen, wherein said first temperature zone and said controlled temperature zone are at materially different temperatures; and progressively and sequentially thermally transitioning a geometric change in shape of said thermally active shape memory device at said controlled temperature zone as said shape memory device is progressively translocated through said lumen as a result of thermal transfer between said shape memory device and said lumen at said controlled temperature zone of said lumen, wherein the progressive and sequential thermal transitioning of the geometric change in shape of said thermally active shape memory device progressively and sequentially produces a shape transitioned thermally active shape memory device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification