Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A micromechanical barb capable of linking to an object, comprising: a base; a support which extends from the base; and a head which is disposed upon the support and which is adapted to mate with the object such that a locking connection is formed therebetween, the length or height above the base of the support and the head being less than 5 millimetres.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
18 words
A barb according to any preceding claim, wherein the base, head and support are integral with each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A barb according to claim 1, or 2 wherein the base, head and support are made of a rigid material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A barb according to claim 3, wherein the rigid material is metal, ceramic, plastic, composite material or alloy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A barb according to any preceding claim, wherein the base and support are made of silicon and the head is made of SiO₂.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A barb according to any preceding claim, wherein the head has a central or connection portion which is connected to the support and an extremity or attachment portion which extends from the central or connection portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A barb according to claim 6, wherein a part of the extremity or attachment portion forms an angle less than 90°C with the central or connection portion such that that part of the extremity or attachment portion extends toward the base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A barb according to any preceding claim, wherein the head is provided with a surface having a pointed shape that it is capable of facilitating penetration of the object by piercing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A barb according to any one of claims, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the extremity or attachment portion is in the form of a plurality of flanges extending out from the central or connection portion, for example so that the head is in the shape of a cross formed of four legs.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for linking a first member with a second member comprising: a first plurality of micromechanical barbs disposed on the first member; a second plurality of micromechanical barbs disposed on the second member; wherein the barbs on the first member and the second member are of a shape such that a locking connection is formed between the first member and second member through the first plurality of barbs when placed together, each of the barbs of the first plurality and second plurality of barbs extending from the first member and second member, respectively, to a height no greater than 5 millimetres, said first plurality of barbs and second plurality of barbs opposing each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 10, wherein the barbs of the first plurality of barbs and the barbs of the second plurality of barbs are of the same shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein each barb is comprised of: a support which extends from its respective member; and a head which is disposed upon the support and which mates with the heads of barbs on the opposing plurality of barbs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A system according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the first member is a first electrical component and the second member is a second electrical component and wherein the first plurality of barbs are made of an electrically conductive material, and the second plurality of barbs is made of an electrically conductive material, and the first and second components are in electrical contact through the first and second plurality of barbs.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for making a plurality of barbs comprising the steps of: forming a substrate of a first material with a layer of a second material thereon, and at predetermined discrete locations on the layer a third material; removing portions of the layer and the substrate but not the third material such that a frustrum shape is formed on the surface of the substrate; removing the third material but leaving the first and second materials essentially untouched; reforming the layer made of the second material on the frustrum surface of the substrate such that it also forms a frustrum shape; removing portions of the second layer at essentially the centre of the lowest points of the frustrum; and removing portions of the substrate but not the layer such that a plurality of barbs is created.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of removing portions of the second layer includes the step of filleting predetermined areas of the second layer to ensure that not too much of the substrate is removed in the step of removing portions of the substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus for connecting tissue, comprising a member having a first side and an opposing side, the first and opposing side both having a plurality of micromechanical barbs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the member is an annulus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the annulus is segmented with grooves to facilitate flexibility.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus for placing a lining in a blood vessel comprising: an expandable cylinder having an outer surface with a plurality of micromechanical barbs positioned thereabout; and a balloon disposed in the expandable cylinder which can be expanded such that the cylinder is then expanded and the barbs are caused to pierce the inner wall of the blood vessel wall.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus for providing a drug into an organ comprising: a base with a reservoir to hold the drug, and a plurality of micromechanical barbs which extend from the base which pierce the organ and maintain the apparatus therein, said barbs having a channel therethrough which extends to the reservoir such that the drug is placed into fluid communication with the organ.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A connector produced by surface micromachining comprising: a first portion which lockingly connects with an object; and a base upon which the first portion is fixedly disposed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to any one of claims 10 to 1-3; apparatus according to claim 16, 17 or 18; apparatus according to claim 19; apparatus according to claim 20; or a connector according to claim 21, which comprises a micromechanical barb according to any one of claims 1 to 8.