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:
Jan. 17, 2006
Filed:
Sep. 09, 2002
Lee M. Middleman, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Walter R. Pyka, Redwood City, CA (US);
Michael Buhler, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Philippe Poncet, Fremont, CA (US);
Karl Van Dyk, Fremont, CA (US);
James E. Jervis, Atherton, CA (US);
Lee M. Middleman, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Walter R. Pyka, Redwood City, CA (US);
Michael Buhler, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Philippe Poncet, Fremont, CA (US);
Karl Van Dyk, Fremont, CA (US);
James E. Jervis, Atherton, CA (US);
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
The invention provides a method of using an apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising providing an apparatus having manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the temperature.