Method for loading shape memory polymer gripper mechanisms

Patent · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:874344

Lee, Abraham P ^[1]; Benett, William J ^[2]; Schumann, Daniel L ^[3]; Krulevitch, Peter A ^[4]; Fitch, Joseph P ^[2]

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1. Walnut Creek, CA
2. Livermore, CA
3. Concord, CA
4. Pleasanton, CA

A method and apparatus for loading deposit material, such as an embolic coil, into a shape memory polymer (SMP) gripping/release mechanism. The apparatus enables the application of uniform pressure to secure a grip by the SMP mechanism on the deposit material via differential pressure between, for example, vacuum within the SMP mechanism and hydrostatic water pressure on the exterior of the SMP mechanism. The SMP tubing material of the mechanism is heated to above the glass transformation temperature (Tg) while reshaping, and subsequently cooled to below Tg to freeze the shape. The heating and/or cooling may, for example, be provided by the same water applied for pressurization or the heating can be applied by optical fibers packaged to the SMP mechanism for directing a laser beam, for example, thereunto. At a point of use, the deposit material is released from the SMP mechanism by reheating the SMP material to above the temperature Tg whereby it returns to its initial shape. The reheating of the SMP material may be carried out by injecting heated fluid (water) through an associated catheter or by optical fibers and an associated beam of laser light, for example.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6370757
• OSTI ID: 874344
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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andor
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associated
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coil
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differential
directing
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secure
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