State manipulated memory wire assemblies
AssigneeKoninklijke Philips N.V.
InventorJohn BRLANSKY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Two memory wires each comprising one or the other of two memory metals, and in various configurations for use in a variety of medical applications are described. Memory wires are wires which assume a shape set as they are formed in a heated, austenite state. Upon cooling the austenite composition changes to a martensite composition. In this form, the memory wires can be deformed, but when the wire is heated, the martensite reverts to austenite which retains memory of the original shape set, thus returning the wire its original shape.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a first memory wire;
- a second memory wire;
- and
- a thermal insulating layer disposed between the first memory wire and the second memory wire, wherein heat applied to the first memory wire causes the first memory wire to assume a first shape, but does not alter a second shape of the second memory wire.
A system comprising:
- apparatus comprising:
- a first memory wire;
- a second memory wire;
- a thermal insulating layer disposed between the first memory wire and the second memory wire, wherein heat applied to the first memory wire causes the first memory wire to assume a first shape, but does not alter a second shape of the second memory wire;
- a heat source;
- and
- a controller adapted to apply the heat from the heat source to the first memory wire and to the second memory wire, but not at the same time.
A method of delivering an apparatus via a catheter, the method comprising:
- applying heat to a first memory wire to cause the first memory wire to assume a first predetermined shape;
- and
- applying heat to a second memory wires to cause the second memory wire to assume a second predetermined shape, wherein the applying of the heat to the first memory wire alters a first shape of the first memory wire, but does not alter a second shape of the second memory wire;
- and the applying of the heat to second memory wire alters the second shape of the second memory wire, but does not alter the first shape of the first memory wire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.