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Title: Miniature plastic gripper and fabrication method

Abstract

A miniature plastic gripper actuated by inflation of a miniature balloon and method of fabricating same are disclosed. The gripper is constructed of either heat-shrinkable or heat-expandable plastic tubing and is formed around a mandrel, then cut to form gripper prongs or jaws and the mandrel removed. The gripper is connected at one end with a catheter or tube having an actuating balloon at its tip, whereby the gripper is opened or closed by inflation or deflation of the balloon. The gripper is designed to removably retain a member to which is connected a quantity or medicine, plugs, or micro-components. The miniature plastic gripper is inexpensive to fabricate and can be used for various applications, such as gripping, sorting, or placing of micron-scale particles for analysis. 8 figs.

Inventors:
; ; ; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of California (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
445703
Patent Number(s):
5609608
Application Number:
PAN: 8-549,497
Assignee:
Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-48
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 11 Mar 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES; TOOLS; MINIATURIZATION; ACTUATORS; DESIGN; FABRICATION; OPERATION

Citation Formats

Benett, W J, Krulevitch, P A, Lee, A P, Northrup, M A, and Folta, J A. Miniature plastic gripper and fabrication method. United States: N. p., 1997. Web.
Benett, W J, Krulevitch, P A, Lee, A P, Northrup, M A, & Folta, J A. Miniature plastic gripper and fabrication method. United States.
Benett, W J, Krulevitch, P A, Lee, A P, Northrup, M A, and Folta, J A. Tue . "Miniature plastic gripper and fabrication method". United States.
@article{osti_445703,
title = {Miniature plastic gripper and fabrication method},
author = {Benett, W J and Krulevitch, P A and Lee, A P and Northrup, M A and Folta, J A},
abstractNote = {A miniature plastic gripper actuated by inflation of a miniature balloon and method of fabricating same are disclosed. The gripper is constructed of either heat-shrinkable or heat-expandable plastic tubing and is formed around a mandrel, then cut to form gripper prongs or jaws and the mandrel removed. The gripper is connected at one end with a catheter or tube having an actuating balloon at its tip, whereby the gripper is opened or closed by inflation or deflation of the balloon. The gripper is designed to removably retain a member to which is connected a quantity or medicine, plugs, or micro-components. The miniature plastic gripper is inexpensive to fabricate and can be used for various applications, such as gripping, sorting, or placing of micron-scale particles for analysis. 8 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 11 00:00:00 EST 1997},
month = {Tue Mar 11 00:00:00 EST 1997}
}

Patent:
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