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US 2016/0355912 A1Published application
Single step shape memory alloy expansion
AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorsJoel M. Greene, Christopher C. Lasley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Exposing nitinol to a shape setting temperature while the nitinol is in an unstrained or minimally strained condition. The nitinol is then substantially deformed in shape while at elevated temperature. After deformation, the nitinol remains at the elevated temperature for a time to shape set the material. The nitinol is then returned to approximately room temperature 20° C. by means of water quenching or air cooling for example.
Claims23
A method of forming a shape memory alloy (SMA) article, comprising:
- providing a SMA article having an initial shape having an initial size, said SMA having a shape setting temperature;
- heating the SMA article to about said shape setting temperature;
- deforming the SMA article while at about its shape setting temperature to a final shape that is at least twice in size as the initial size;
- and
- cooling the SMA article while being constrained thereby substantially retaining said final shape.
2 more elements
A medical device, comprising:
- a shape memory alloy (SMA) article tailored to transition between a first, second and third state, wherein said SMA comprises a shape setting temperature;
- wherein;
- the article in a first state comprises a first circumferential perimeter;
- the article in a second state comprises multiple circumferential perimeters;
- the article in a third state comprises a third circumferential perimeter that is at least twice in size as the first circumferential perimeter;
- wherein each of said second state circumferential perimeters are larger than the first state circumferential perimeter and smaller than the third state circumferential perimeter;
- and
- wherein the shape memory alloy (SMA) article is kept at said shape setting temperature while transitioning between the first, second and third states.
5 more elements
A device for deforming a shape memory alloy article, comprising:
- a slotted elongated tube comprising;
- i. a longitudinal axis and a first outer perimeter;
- ii. the tube having a length, a through lumen and a wall;
- iii. the lumen defining a first inner perimeter;
- iv. the tube having at least two slots through the wall;
- v. the slots being oriented essentially parallel to the tube longitudinal axis;
- vi. the slots extending partially along the tube length;
- an expansion mandrel comprising;
- i. a first portion with an essentially constant first perimeter;
- ii. a second tapered portion;
- iii. the second tapered portion having a varying perimeter transitioning from the mandrel first perimeter to a larger second perimeter that is at least twice in size as the first outer perimeter;
- iv. the mandrel first portion perimeter being dimensioned to be inserted into the lumen first inner perimeter of said slotted elongated tube;
- and
- a shape memory alloy article surrounding at least a portion of said slotted elongated tube.
11 more elements
A device for deforming a shape memory alloy article, comprising:
- a slotted elongated tube comprising;
- i. a longitudinal axis and a first outer perimeter;
- ii. the tube having a length, a through lumen and a wall;
- iii. the lumen defining a first inner perimeter;
- iv. the tube having at least two slots through the wall;
- v. the slots being oriented essentially parallel to the tube longitudinal axis;
- and
- vi. the slots extending partially along the tube length;
- and
- an expansion mandrel comprising;
- i. a first portion with an essentially constant first perimeter;
- ii. a second tapered portion;
- iii. the second tapered portion having a varying perimeter transitioning from the mandrel first perimeter to a larger second perimeter that is at least twice in size as the first outer perimeter;
- iv. the mandrel first portion perimeter being dimensioned to be inserted into the lumen first inner perimeter of said slotted elongated tube;
- and
- wherein the slotted elongated tube surrounds at least a portion of the expansion mandrel.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.