Microfabricated therapeutic actuator mechanisms

Patent · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:871036

Northrup, Milton A ^[1]; Ciarlo, Dino R ^[2]; Lee, Abraham P ^[3]; Krulevitch, Peter A ^[4]

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1. Berkeley, CA
2. Livermore, CA
3. Walnut Creek, CA
4. Los Altos, CA

Electromechanical microstructures (microgrippers), either integrated circuit (IC) silicon-based or precision machined, to extend and improve the application of catheter-based interventional therapies for the repair of aneurysms in the brain or other interventional clinical therapies. These micromechanisms can be specifically applied to release platinum coils or other materials into bulging portions of the blood vessels also known as aneurysms. The "micro" size of the release mechanism is necessary since the brain vessels are the smallest in the body. Through a catheter more than one meter long, the micromechanism located at one end of the catheter can be manipulated from the other end thereof. The microgripper (micromechanism) of the invention will also find applications in non-medical areas where a remotely actuated microgripper or similar actuator would be useful or where micro-assembling is needed.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5645564
• OSTI ID: 871036
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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