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:
Aug. 21, 2012
Filed:
Apr. 15, 2010
Hillel Judah Chiel, University Heights, OH (US);
Roger D. Quinn, Akron, OH (US);
Alexander Boxerbaum, Cleveland, OH (US);
Hillel Judah Chiel, University Heights, OH (US);
Roger D. Quinn, Akron, OH (US);
Alexander Boxerbaum, Cleveland, OH (US);
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for locomotion includes an elongate body member defining a longitudinal axis and having oppositely disposed first and second body ends separated by a body lumen. A power source is operative to selectively provide motive power to the apparatus by changing a lateral cross-sectional area of the body member in at least one actuation location to produce at least one peristaltic wave propagated through the body member substantially along the longitudinal axis. The peristaltic wave is a substantially smooth wave. The peristaltic wave causes the body member to interact with an ambient environment and provide longitudinally oriented locomotion to the apparatus. A method for locomotion is also described.