The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 21, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 09, 2003
David A. Anderson, Andover, MN (US);
James F. Kelley, Coon Rapids, MN (US);
Naim S. Istephanous, Roseville, MN (US);
Steven L. Waldhauser, Circle Pines, MN (US);
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
An electrically insulative layer of a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes an inorganic material formed upon a portion of an SMA substrate. A conductive material formed upon a portion of the electrically insulative layer in a trace pattern includes a first end, a second end, and a heating element disposed between the first and second ends. The SMA substrate is trained to deform at a transition temperature achieved when electricity is conducted through the conductive material via first and second interconnect pads terminating the first and second ends of the trace pattern.