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EP0145166B2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Medical device comprising a shape memory alloy

Assignee: Raychem Corp
•
Filing: 1984-10-12
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Granted: 1995-06-28
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Expires: 2004-10-12
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Abstract

Abstract Medical devices which are currently proposed to use elements made from shape memory alloys may be improved by the use of stress-induced martensite alloy elements instead. The use of stress-induced martensite decreases the temperature sensitivity of the devices, thereby making them easier to install and/or remove.

Inventors

  • 👤 James Jervis

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 06:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C7/00; A61C7/12; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/01; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/064; A61B17/0642; A61B17/08; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/72; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2409; A61F6/00; A61F6/06; A61F6/14; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/02; A61L27/04; A61L31/00; A61L31/02; A61L31/022; A61C2201/00; A61C2201/007; A61F2/04; A61F2/06; A61F2/07; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0019; A61L2400/00; A61L2400/16

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 207 words
A medical device suitable for placement within or proximate to a mammalian body for treatment of the mammalian body, the device comprising (I) an element formed from a pseudoelastic shape-memory alloy, the alloy displaying reversible stress-induced martensite by virtue of being above its As and above its Ms and below its Md at about body temperature (35-40 degrees C), such that it has a stress-induced martensitic state and an austenitic state, and the element having (i) a deformed shape when the alloy is in its stress-induced martensitic state and (ii) a different unstressed shape, and (II) a mechanically-reversible restraint capable of holding the element in its deformed shape to allow it to be positioned within or in proximity to the said body, wherein the device is constructed so that (a) the restraint may be reversibly removed from the element while the device is in use within or proximate to the said body at the said body temperature and the element is therefore displaying reversible stress-induced martensite as aforesaid, and (b) such removal of the restraint causes the element within or proximate to the said body to transform spontaneously from its deformed shape to substantially its unstressed shape without a change in temperature from the said body temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 44 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the restraint is hollow, and the shape memory alloy element is deformed in such a way that it is compressed transversely, and is positioned within the restraint, the restraint preventing transverse expansion of the element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the restraint is a catheter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the shape memory alloy element is an intrauterine contraceptive device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, in which the shape memory alloy element is a filter for a blood vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 30 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the shape memory alloy element is tubular, and the restraint is positioned within the shape memory alloy element to deform it.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 17 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, in which the shape memory alloy element is a catheter.

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