Patent US5104394A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5720754A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Device or apparatus for manipulating matter
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1995-04-28
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Granted: 1998-02-24
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Expires: 2015-04-28
Abstract
Abstract The present invention accordingly provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature. Preferably the invention provides such a device or apparatus which is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and which has the manipulator means at its distal end with the shape memory alloy member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within that body, and wherein the actuating means is operable from the proximal end of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee M. Middleman
- 👤 Walter R. Pyka
- 👤 Michael Buhler
- 👤 Philippe Poncet
- 👤 Karl van Dyk
- 👤 James E. Jervis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:57
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B9/00; A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/06; A61B17/062; A61B17/0625; A61B17/08; A61B17/10; A61B17/12; A61B17/12009; A61B17/12013; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/3205; A61B17/32056; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/08; A61B18/082; B26; B26B; B26B13/00; B26B13/26; A61B10/06; A61B17/30; A61B17/3201; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B18/10; A61B2017/00287; A61B2017/00349; A61B2017/00353; A61B2017/00367; A61B2017/00371; A61B2017/0038; A61B2017/0042; A61B2017/00455; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B17/0401; A61B2017/0409; A61B2017/06052; A61B17/06166; A61B2017/06171; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2905; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2017/2932; A61B2017/2933; A61B2017/2936; A61B2017/2937; A61B2017/2943; A61B2017/303; A61B2017/320064; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B2017/32113; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1407; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0807; A61B2090/0811; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for manipulating an object, said apparatus comprising: a cannula having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough; a member, disposed within said longitudinal bore and extendable therefrom, said member having, (i) a proximal segment, and (ii) a distal segment coupled to said proximal segment and at least partially constructed of an elastic material, said distal segment assuming a first shape when extended from said bore and assuming a second shape when withdrawn into said bore; and a distal end structure, at a distal end of said member, for contacting said object to be manipulated; wherein said member is disposed within said cannula oriented such that said elastic distal segment exits said cannula in a predetermined lateral orientation; and the apparatus further comprises means for indicating said predetermined lateral orientation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for manipulating an object, said apparatus comprising: a cannula having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough; a member, disposed within said longitudinal bore and extendable therefrom, said member having, (i) a proximal segment, and (ii) a distal segment coupled to said proximal segment and at least partially constructed of an elastic material, said distal segment assuming a first shape when extended from said bore and assuming a second shape when withdrawn into said bore; and a distal end structure, at a distal end of said member, for contacting said object to be manipulated; wherein said member is disposed within said cannula oriented such that said elastic distal segment exits said cannula in a predetermined lateral orientation; and the apparatus further comprises means for indicating said predetermined lateral orientation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for preventing said member from rotating within said cannula.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A remotely operated surgical device comprising: (a) an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis; (b) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means; (c) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A remotely operated surgical device comprising: (a) an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis; (b) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means; (c) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 3 which comprises one of an endoscopic device, a catheter, and a laparoscopic device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A remotely operated surgical device comprising: (a) an elongate housing; (b) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means, the surgical screen comprising at least one loop; (c) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A remotely operated surgical device comprising: (a) an elongate housing; (b) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means, the surgical screen comprising at least one loop; (c) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein the loop is spanned by a perforated sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein the surgical screen comprises a graduated series of loops.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein the surgical screen comprises at least two loops having an area therebetween being spanned by a perforated sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A remotely operated surgical device comprising: (a) an elongate housing; (b) a retractor, the retractor comprising at least one elastically deformable loop; and (c) means for projecting and retracting the retractor relative to the housing between a first position wherein the retractor is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the retractor is unconstrained by the housing and assumes an expanded memory shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A remotely operated surgical device comprising: (a) an elongate housing; (b) a retractor, the retractor comprising at least one elastically deformable loop; and (c) means for projecting and retracting the retractor relative to the housing between a first position wherein the retractor is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the retractor is unconstrained by the housing and assumes an expanded memory shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 9 which comprises one of an endoscopic device, a catheter, or a laparoscopic device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 9 wherein the retractor comprises at least one loop which is spanned by a membrane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 9 wherein the retractor comprises at least two loops wherein at least one membrane spans an area between the loops.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
73 words
A remotely operated surgical device comprising: (a) an elongate housing; (b) a retractor, the retractor comprising at least two finger-shaped members, wherein a membrane spans an area between the fingers; and (c) means for projecting and retracting the retractor relative to the housing between a first position wherein the retractor is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the retractor is unconstrained by the housing and assumes an expanded memory shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
A remotely operated surgical device comprising: (a) an elongate housing; (b) a retractor, the retractor comprising at least two finger-shaped members, wherein a membrane spans an area between the fingers; and (c) means for projecting and retracting the retractor relative to the housing between a first position wherein the retractor is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the retractor is unconstrained by the housing and assumes an expanded memory shape.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
96 words
A device comprising: (a) a housing having a distal deployment opening and a longitudinal axis; (b) a surgical screen which is constrainable within the housing, the surgical screen comprising an elastic material; (c) remote means to manipulate the surgical screen relative to the distal deployment opening; the surgical screen being movable between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is extended past the distal deployment end in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing and assumes an expanded shape.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
96 words
A device comprising: (a) a housing having a distal deployment opening and a longitudinal axis; (b) a surgical screen which is constrainable within the housing, the surgical screen comprising an elastic material; (c) remote means to manipulate the surgical screen relative to the distal deployment opening; the surgical screen being movable between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is extended past the distal deployment end in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing and assumes an expanded shape.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
91 words
A device comprising: (a) a housing having a distal deployment opening; (b) a surgical screen which is constrainable within the housing, the surgical screen comprising an elastic material and wherein said surgical screen comprises a graduated series of loops; (c) remote means to manipulate the surgical screen relative to the distal deployment opening; the surgical screen being movable between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is extended past the distal deployment end and assumes an expanded shape.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
91 words
A device comprising: (a) a housing having a distal deployment opening; (b) a surgical screen which is constrainable within the housing, the surgical screen comprising an elastic material and wherein said surgical screen comprises a graduated series of loops; (c) remote means to manipulate the surgical screen relative to the distal deployment opening; the surgical screen being movable between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is extended past the distal deployment end and assumes an expanded shape.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for removing an internal obstruction comprising: (a) providing a remotely operated surgical device comprising; (i) an elongate housing; (ii) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means, the surgical screen comprising at least one loop; (iii) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape; (b) inserting an end of the elongate housing beyond a mass; (c) deploying the surgical screen from the housing end; and, (d) retracting the housing and surgical screen to remove the mass.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for removing an internal obstruction comprising: (a) providing a remotely operated surgical device comprising; (i) an elongate housing; (ii) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means, the surgical screen comprising at least one loop; (iii) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape; (b) inserting an end of the elongate housing beyond a mass; (c) deploying the surgical screen from the housing end; and, (d) retracting the housing and surgical screen to remove the mass.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for removing an internal obstruction comprising: (a) providing a remotely operated surgical device comprising: (i) an elongate housing; (ii) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means, the surgical screen comprising at least one loop; (iii) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape; (b) inserting an end of the elongate housing beyond a mass; (c) deploying the surgical screen from the housing end; (d) fragmenting the mass; and, (e) retracting the housing and surgical screen to remove mass fragments.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for removing an internal obstruction comprising: (a) providing a remotely operated surgical device comprising: (i) an elongate housing; (ii) a surgical screen comprising elastic material means, the surgical screen comprising at least one loop; (iii) means for projecting and retracting the surgical screen between a first position wherein the surgical screen is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the surgical screen is deployed from the housing and assumes an expanded shape; (b) inserting an end of the elongate housing beyond a mass; (c) deploying the surgical screen from the housing end; (d) fragmenting the mass; and, (e) retracting the housing and surgical screen to remove mass fragments.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-02-23 | 2001-08-25 | 2002-02-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-23 | 2005-08-25 | 2006-02-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-23 | 2009-08-25 | 2010-02-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |