Shape change structure
AssigneeS.T.S. Medical Ltd.
InventorsJoseph FLOMENBLIT, Gregory FRENKLACH
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An expandable structure comprising: a first shape memory (SM) portion which is in a strain-induced state; and a second portion which resists expansion of said structure due to said first portion, over a plurality of different expansion states of said first portion. Optionally, wherein said SM portion resists contraction of said structure due to forces applied by said second portion. Optionally or alternatively, said strain induced state is characterized by a SM portion expanding force decreasing as a function of strain of said SM portion, so as to have a difference of at least 10% in force between two strain states said structure is usable at.
Claims33
An expandable structure comprising:
- a first shape memory (SM) portion configured to apply an expanding force;
- and
- a second portion configured to resist expansion of said SM portion, over a plurality of different expansion states of said first portion;
- wherein said second portion is configured to apply a contracting force when said second portion is mechanically coupled to said SM portion;
- and
- wherein said SM portion is pre-treated to have a decrease in SM portion expansion force as a function of a strain applied to said SM portion and to display a strain induced martensite behavior.
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A method of crimping an expandable structure comprising:
- providing an expandable structure comprising:
- a SM portion having a first shape memory diameter, said SM portion configured to apply an expanding force;
- and
- a second portion configured to resist expansion of said SM portion over a plurality of different expansion states of said first portion;
- wherein said second portion is configured to exert a contracting force on said SM portion when said second portion is mechanically coupled to said SM portion;
- and
- wherein said SM portion is pre-treated to have a decrease in SM portion expansion force as a function of a strain applied to said SM portion and to display a strain induced martensite behavior;
- and
- one of:
- (a) expanding said structure and cooling said expanded structure, wherein said cooling is such that a SM resisting force is less than the second portion retracting force;
- and
- allowing said structure to collapse due to said second portion contracting force;
- (b) expanding said structure such that a SM portion resisting force is reduced to below said second portion contracting force;
- and
- (c) expanding said structure and cooling said expanded structure, wherein said cooling is such that said SM portion is urged to return to a second shape memory diameter.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.