US5486183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Device or apparatus for manipulating matter
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1991-10-09
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Granted: 1996-01-23
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Expires: 2011-10-09
Abstract
Abstract The present invention accordingly provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising 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 (preferably of elongate tubular form) 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 said 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 said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature. Preferably the invention provides such a device or apparatus which is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and which has the manipulator means at its distal end with the shape memory alloy member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within that body, and wherein the actuating means is operable from the proximal end of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee M. Middleman
- 👤 Walter R. Pyka
- 👤 Michael Buhler
- 👤 Philippe Poncet
- 👤 Karl van Dyk
- 👤 James E. Jervis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:26
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B9/00; A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/06; A61B17/062; A61B17/0625; A61B17/08; A61B17/10; A61B17/12; A61B17/12009; A61B17/12013; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/3205; A61B17/32056; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/08; A61B18/082; B26; B26B; B26B13/00; B26B13/26; A61B10/06; A61B17/30; A61B17/3201; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B18/10; A61B2017/00287; A61B2017/00349; A61B2017/00353; A61B2017/00367; A61B2017/00371; A61B2017/0038; A61B2017/0042; A61B2017/00455; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B17/0401; A61B2017/0409; A61B2017/06052; A61B17/06166; A61B2017/06171; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2905; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2017/2932; A61B2017/2933; A61B2017/2936; A61B2017/2937; A61B2017/2943; A61B2017/303; A61B2017/320064; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B2017/32113; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1407; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0807; A61B2090/0811; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A surgical apparatus for manipulating matter at an intended manipulation temperature in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising: (i) manipulator means at least partly constructed of an elongate shape memory alloy member, said shape memory alloy member having a distal end, said shape memory alloy member having two arms at said distal end thereof, said two arms having tips that approach but are not fixed to one another, said shape memory alloy member having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and (ii) a barrier member spanning said two arms; (iii) a hollow cannula initially holding the shape memory alloy member in a relatively straightened state, and (iv) actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member with said barrier member from the housing to manipulate matter within said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape memory alloy member bends or twists pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at said manipulation temperature, and the shape memory alloy member becomes relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at said temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A surgical apparatus for manipulating matter at an intended manipulation temperature in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising: (i) manipulator means at least partly constructed of an elongate shape memory alloy member, said shape memory alloy member having a distal end, said shape memory alloy member having two arms at said distal end thereof, said two arms having tips that approach but are not fixed to one another, said shape memory alloy member having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and (ii) a barrier member spanning said two arms; (iii) a hollow cannula initially holding the shape memory alloy member in a relatively straightened state, and (iv) actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member with said barrier member from the housing to manipulate matter within said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape memory alloy member bends or twists pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at said manipulation temperature, and the shape memory alloy member becomes relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at said temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device or apparatus according to claim 1 which is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and which has the manipulator means at its distal end with the shape memory alloy member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within that body, and wherein the actuating means is operable from the proximal end of the device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shape memory alloy member is disposed within said cannula oriented such that said manipulator means exits said cannula in a predetermined lateral orientation; and the apparatus further comprises means for indicating said predetermined lateral orientation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for preventing said manipulator means from rotating within said cannula.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the shape memory alloy member, is superelastic under the intended conditions of use.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member is composed of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the nickel-titanium shape memory alloy is capable of more than 4% elastic deformation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member assumes a first shape in a substantially austenitic phase when extended from the cannula, and assumes a second shape containing more martensitic phase when withdrawn into the cannula.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the barrier member is sealable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said manipulator means is at least partly constructed of a bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drawstring for sealing the barrier member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the nickel-titanium shape memory alloy is capable of more than 1.5% elastic deformation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
119 words
A surgical device comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an elastically deformable loop formed at least partially from a shape memory alloy wire and a barrier member disposed thereon, wherein said loop comprises two arms, each arm having a distal end and a proximal end, which distal ends approach, but are not fixed to each other; and (c) means for reversibly moving the arms between a first position wherein they are constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the arms are unconstrained by the housing and assume an expanded memory shape, said proximal ends being attached to said means for moving anal said means being capable of withdrawing said arms into the housing independently of the barrier member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
119 words
A surgical device comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an elastically deformable loop formed at least partially from a shape memory alloy wire and a barrier member disposed thereon, wherein said loop comprises two arms, each arm having a distal end and a proximal end, which distal ends approach, but are not fixed to each other; and (c) means for reversibly moving the arms between a first position wherein they are constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the arms are unconstrained by the housing and assume an expanded memory shape, said proximal ends being attached to said means for moving anal said means being capable of withdrawing said arms into the housing independently of the barrier member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 13, wherein said means for moving comprises a drawstring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 14, wherein the housing and the loop can be separated from the barrier member and drawstring means in use.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 13 including means for indicating the orientation of the elastically deformable loop when extended from the housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 13, including means for preventing elastically deformable loop from rotating within the housing or cannula.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the deformable loop is composed of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the nickel-titanium shape memory alloy is capable of more than 4% elastic deformation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
A remotely operated surgical device comprising: (a) an elongate housing; (b) a retractor, the retractor comprising a deformable loop comprising two finger-shaped members, wherein a membrane spans an area between said two finger-shaped members; and (c) means for projecting and retracting the retractor relative to the housing between a first position wherein the retractor is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the retractor is unconstrained by the housing and assumes an expanded memory shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
77 words
A remotely operated surgical device comprising: (a) an elongate housing; (b) a retractor, the retractor comprising a deformable loop comprising two finger-shaped members, wherein a membrane spans an area between said two finger-shaped members; and (c) means for projecting and retracting the retractor relative to the housing between a first position wherein the retractor is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the retractor is unconstrained by the housing and assumes an expanded memory shape.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 20 which comprises an endoscopic device, a catheter, or a laparoscopic device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-22 | 1999-07-24 | 2000-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-22 | 2003-07-24 | 2004-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-22 | 2007-07-24 | 2008-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |