Maneuverable distal apparatus

Claim 2

A maneuverable distal apparatus comprising a temperature-activated memory element moving in a first direction to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, springs means for yieldably urging the memory element in a second direction away from the first direction upon cooling of the memory element to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature so that the memory element is moved to assume a shape other than the predetermined shape, insulation means for preventing electrically conductive contact between the memory element and the spring means, and control means for selectively heating the memory element so that the memory element is moved in the first direction.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spring means is an elongated coil spring formed to include a longitudinal cavity and the memory element is positioned in the longitudinal cavity.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the insulation means includes a tubular sleeve positioned in the longitudinal cavity and the memory element is positioned in the tubular sleeve.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an end cap coupled to a distal end of the elongated coil spring, the insulation means including means for preventing electrically conductive contact between the memory element and the end cap.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insulation means is provided by an insulative member situated intermediate the memory element and the spring means.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insulation means is provided by a coating material on at least one of the memory element and the spring means.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control means includes power supply means, first electrical lead means for coupling the power supply means and the spring means in electrical communication, and second electrical lead means for coupling the power supply means and the memory element in electrical communication, circuit means interconnecting the spring means and the memory element for establishing an electrical circuit electrically connecting the spring means, the memory element, and the control means in series.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the memory element is made of an electrically conductive shape-memory alloy, the memory element includes one end coupled to the second electrical lead means and an opposite end, and the spring means includes an electrically conductive coil spring having one end coupled to the first electrical lead means and an opposite end, an electrically conductive end cap, first means for coupling the opposite end of the coil spring and the end cap in electrical communication, and second means for coupling the end cap and the opposite end of the memory element in electrical communication.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spring means includes a longitudinal axis, the memory element is positioned along the longitudinal axis to apply a bending force to the spring means upon movement of the memory element to assume its predetermined shape, and the spring means is configured to provide means for converting bending forces to rotation-inducing forces so that the spring means rotates about its longitudinal axis in response to movement of the memory element to assume its predetermined shape.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spring means includes spaced-apart distal and proximal portions, and further comprising first means for anchoring one end of the memory element to the distal portion and second means for anchoring the other end of the memory element to the proximal portion.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the spring means is an elongated coil spring formed to include a longitudinal cavity, the memory element is positioned in the longitudinal cavity, the first anchor means includes an end cap coupled to the distal portion and means for coupling said one end of the memory element to the end cap, and the second anchor means includes a plug disposed in the longitudinal cavity and fixed to the proximal portion, and means for coupling said other end of the memory element to the fixed plug.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plug provides means for interconnecting the control means and said other end of the memory element.

Claim 14

A maneuverable distal apparatus comprising a guide member formed to include an interior cavity, a temperature-activated memory element within the interior cavity of the guide member, the memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, the guide member providing spring means for yieldably applying a biasing force to the memory element so that the memory element is moved to assume a shape other than the predetermined shape upon cooling of the memory element to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature, and control means for selectively heating the memory element so that the memory element is moved to assume its predetermined shape.

Claim 15

A maneuverable distal apparatus comprising a guide member formed to include an interior cavity, a temperature-activated memory element within the interior cavity of the guide member, the memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, the guide member providing spring means for yieldably applying a biasing force to the memory element so that the memory element is moved to assume a shape other than the predetermined shape upon cooling of the memory element to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature, and control means for selectively heating the memory element so that the memory element is moved to assume its predetermined shape.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising insulation means for preventing electrical communication between the memory element and the guide member.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the insulation means includes at least one of a sleeve positioned in the cavity intermediate the memory element and the guide member and a coating material on at least one of the memory element and the guide member.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the guide member is an elongated, tubular coil spring formed to provide the cavity and the control means includes means for supporting the memory element within the cavity for movement relative to the coil spring so that the memory element applies a displacement force to the coil spring as the memory element moves to assume its predetermined shape causing the guide member to change shape and impart the biasing force to the memory element.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the support means includes at least one electrical lead coupled to the memory element.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the coil spring includes spaced-apart distal and proximal portions, the support means includes a plug disposed in the interior cavity provided by the tubular coil spring and rigidly fixed to the proximal portion of the coil spring, the memory element is coupled at opposite ends to the distal portion and the plug.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the control means includes power supply means, first electrical lead means for coupling the power supply means and the guide member in electrical communication, and second electrical lead means for coupling the power supply means and the memory element in electrical communication, circuit means interconnecting the guide member and the memory element for establishing an electrical circuit electrically connecting the guide member, the memory element, and the control means in series.

Claim 22

A maneuverable distal apparatus comprising a temperature-activated memory element, the memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, a guide member formed to include an interior cavity, the memory element being positioned within the interior cavity, the guide member including a tip member having an initial position, the tip member normally occupying the initial position while the temperature of the memory element is less than the predetermined temperature, and rotating means for moving the tip member along a path orbiting the initial position in response to movement of the memory element to assume its predetermined shape, and control means for selectively heating the memory element so that the memory element moves to assume its predetermined shape and activates the rotating means.

Claim 23

A maneuverable distal apparatus comprising a temperature-activated memory element, the memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, a guide member formed to include an interior cavity, the memory element being positioned within the interior cavity, the guide member including a tip member having an initial position, the tip member normally occupying the initial position while the temperature of the memory element is less than the predetermined temperature, and rotating means for moving the tip member along a path orbiting the initial position in response to movement of the memory element to assume its predetermined shape, and control means for selectively heating the memory element so that the memory element moves to assume its predetermined shape and activates the rotating means.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the rotating means is an elongated coil formed to include a cavity and the memory element is positioned in the cavity.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the elongated coil includes a distal end configured to provide an opening into the cavity and the tip member is positioned in the distal end to close the cavity opening.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the elongated coil is made of a spring material and configured to provide spring means for yieldably applying a biasing force to the memory element so that the memory element is moved to assume a shape other than the predetermined shape upon cooling of the memory element to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the guide member has a longitudinal axis and the spring material helically winds about the longitudinal axis to provide the elongated coil.

Claim 28

A maneuverable distal apparatus comprising a base member formed to include an interior chamber and an exterior opening communicating with the interior chamber, guide means for selectively steering and aiming the base member, the guide means having a proximal portion anchored in the interior chamber to the base member and a distal portion extending through the exterior opening in a direction away from the base member, the guide means including a tubular coiled spring formed to include a longitudinally extending chamber having an open mouth, an end cap coupled to the tubular spring to close the open mouth, a temperature-activated memory element positioned within the longitudinally extending chamber, the memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined position, the tubular spring being configured to provide spring means for yieldably applying a biasing force to the memory element so that the memory element is moved to assume a shape other than the predetermined shape upon cooling of the memory element to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature, and insulation means for preventing electrically conductive contact between the memory element and the tubular spring, and control means for selectively heating the memory element so that the memory element moves to assume its predetermined shape.

Claim 29

A maneuverable distal apparatus comprising a base member formed to include an interior chamber and an exterior opening communicating with the interior chamber, guide means for selectively steering and aiming the base member, the guide means having a proximal portion anchored in the interior chamber to the base member and a distal portion extending through the exterior opening in a direction away from the base member, the guide means including a tubular coiled spring formed to include a longitudinally extending chamber having an open mouth, an end cap coupled to the tubular spring to close the open mouth, a temperature-activated memory element positioned within the longitudinally extending chamber, the memory element moving to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined position, the tubular spring being configured to provide spring means for yieldably applying a biasing force to the memory element so that the memory element is moved to assume a shape other than the predetermined shape upon cooling of the memory element to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature, and insulation means for preventing electrically conductive contact between the memory element and the tubular spring, and control means for selectively heating the memory element so that the memory element moves to assume its predetermined shape.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the memory element includes opposite ends, the guide means further includes first means for anchoring one end of the memory element to the end cap and second means for anchoring the other end of the memory element to a portion of the coiled spring situated in spaced-apart relation to the portion coupled to the end cap so that the memory element is fixed at its opposite ends to spaced-apart portions of the coiled spring.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the second anchor means includes a plug disposed in the longitudinally extending chamber in spaced relation to the end cap and fixed to the coiled spring, and the memory element is arranged to interconnect the end cap and the plug.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the control means includes power supply means, first electrical lead means for coupling the power supply means and the coiled spring in electrical communication, second electrical lead means for coupling the power supply means and the plug in electrical communication, the end cap and the plug being electrical conductors, and insulation means for preventing electrically conductive contact between the plug and the coiled spring.

Claim 33

A maneuverable distal apparatus comprising a base member, guide means within the base member for selectively steering and aiming the base member, the guide means including a tubular coiled spring made of a resilient shape-memory alloy, the tubular coiled spring moving from an initial shape to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, and control means for selectively heating the tubular coiled spring so that the tubular coiled spring moves from its initial shape to assume its predetermined shape, the tubular coiled spring returning toward its initial shape upon being cooled to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature.

Claim 34

A maneuverable distal apparatus comprising a base member, guide means within the base member for selectively steering and aiming the base member, the guide means including a tubular coiled spring made of a resilient shape-memory alloy, the tubular coiled spring moving from an initial shape to assume a predetermined shape when heated to a predetermined temperature, and control means for selectively heating the tubular coiled spring so that the tubular coiled spring moves from its initial shape to assume its predetermined shape, the tubular coiled spring returning toward its initial shape upon being cooled to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature.

Claim 35

A maneuverable distal apparatus comprising an elongated coiled spring formed to include a longitudinal cavity and spaced-apart distal and proximal portions, an elongated temperature-activated memory element moving in a first direction to assume a predetermined shape and shortening in length when heated to a predetermined temperature, the memory element being disposed in the longitudinal cavity and including opposite ends, first means for anchoring one end of the memory element to the distal portion of the coiled spring, second means for anchoring the other end of the memory element to the proximal portion of the coiled spring, and control means for selectively heating the memory element so that the memory element is moved in the first direction to apply a movement-inducing transverse shear load tot he coiled spring and shortened to apply a movement-inducing axial compression load to the coiled spring, thereby moving the coiled spring to assume a shape corresponding to the predetermined shape of the memory element.

Claim 36

A maneuverable distal apparatus comprising an elongated coiled spring formed to include a longitudinal cavity and spaced-apart distal and proximal portions, an elongated temperature-activated memory element moving in a first direction to assume a predetermined shape and shortening in length when heated to a predetermined temperature, the memory element being disposed in the longitudinal cavity and including opposite ends, first means for anchoring one end of the memory element to the distal portion of the coiled spring, second means for anchoring the other end of the memory element to the proximal portion of the coiled spring, and control means for selectively heating the memory element so that the memory element is moved in the first direction to apply a movement-inducing transverse shear load tot he coiled spring and shortened to apply a movement-inducing axial compression load to the coiled spring, thereby moving the coiled spring to assume a shape corresponding to the predetermined shape of the memory element.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the coiled spring, first means, and second means cooperate to provide means for yieldably urging the memory element in a second direction away from the first direction upon cooling of the memory element to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature so that the memory element is moved to assume a shape other than the predetermined shape and lengthened.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the second anchor means includes a plug disposed in the longitudinal cavity and fixed to the proximal portion.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the first means includes an end cap interconnecting the distal portion of the coiled spring and said one end of the memory element, the control means includes power supply means, first electical lead means for coupling the power supply means and the coiled spring in electrical communication, second electrical lead means for coupling the power supply means and the plug in electrical communication, the end cap and the plug being electrical conductors, and insulation means for preventing electrically conductive contact between the plug and the coiled spring.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the control means includes power supply means, first electrical lead means for coupling the power supply means and said one end of the memory element in electrical communication at a point adjacent the first anchor means, and second electrical lead means for coupling the power supply means and said other end of the memory element in electrical communication at a point adjacent the second anchor means.

Claim 41

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the plug is formed to include longitudinally extending passageway and the memory element extends through the passageway to provide an exposed distal end disposed in the longitudinal cavity.