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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8007674 | Method and devices for preventing restenosis in cardiovascular stents Described herein are devices and methods fabricating devices having nanostructures that allow adhesion or growth of one cell type, such as endothelial cells, more than another cell type, such as smooth muscle cells. In particular, stent covers having such nanostruct... | 08/30/2011 |
| 7981258 | Thin-film shape memory alloy device and method A thin film device, such as an intravascular stent, is disclosed. The device is formed of a seamless expanse of thin-film (i) formed of a sputtered nitinol shape memory alloy, defining, in an austenitic state, an open, interior volume, having a thickness between 0 5... | 07/19/2011 |
| 7842143 | Hyperelastic shape setting devices and fabrication methods Shape-setting methods for fabricating devices made of single crystal shape memory alloys. The method include drawing a single crystal of a shape memory alloy from a melt of the alloy. This is followed by heating and quenching the crystal sufficiently rapid to limit ... | 11/30/2010 |
| 7763342 | Tear-resistant thin film methods of fabrication A thin film device and fabrication method providing optimum tear resistance. A thin film layer is formed with a first and second of rows of holes. The holes in each row are spaced-apart along an axis which extends along an edge of the layer. The holes in one row are... | 07/27/2010 |
| 7632361 | Single crystal shape memory alloy devices and methods Devices and methods of making devices having one or more components made of single crystal shape memory alloy capable of large recoverable distortions, defined herein as “hyperelastic” SMA. Recoverable Strains are as large as 9 percent, and in special circumstan... | 12/15/2009 |
| 7586828 | Magnetic data storage system A magnetic data storage system having a scanning tip array based system and a shape memory thin film-based data storage medium. Prior to storing data, the medium is in its non-ferromagnetic austenitic phase. Indentation stress locally induces martensitic transformat... | 09/08/2009 |
| 7544257 | Single crystal shape memory alloy devices and methods Devices and methods of making devices having one or more components made of single crystal shape memory alloy capable of large recoverable distortions, defined herein as “hyperelastic” SMA. Recoverable Strains are as large as 9 percent, and in special circumstan... | 06/09/2009 |
| 7540899 | Shape memory alloy thin film, method of fabrication, and articles of manufacture A method of forming a single crystal in a thin film by progressively rapidly heating (and cooling) a narrow band of amorphous material. The amorphous thin film may be of shape memory alloy such as TiNi or CuAlNi. Heating may be accomplished by a line-focused laser b... | 06/02/2009 |
| 7441888 | Eyeglass frame Eyeglass frame hinges are replaced by flexures made of hyperelastic single-crystal shape memory alloy. These flexures exhibit more than 8 percent recoverable strain. Eyeglass frames with these flexures can be distorted repeatedly in ways that would destroy ordinary ... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7422403 | Non-explosive releasable coupling device A device and method for holding or clamping components together, and with the clamping being selectively loosened to permit the components to move through a predetermined distance without being fully released. A bolt has its head end attached to one component and it... | 09/09/2008 |
| 7084726 | Thin film shape memory alloy actuated microrelay A microrelay device formed on a silicon substrate wafer for use in opening and closing a current path in a circuit. A pair of electrically conducting latching beams are attached at their proximal ends to terminals on the substrate. Proximal ends of the beams have co... | 08/01/2006 |
| 7040323 | Thin film intrauterine device Contraceptive intrauterine devices made of thin film shape memory alloy materials. The devices are formed in three-dimensional shapes which contact uterus tissue of a human or other mammal to prevent conception. In certain embodiments, structural features such as ta... | 05/09/2006 |
| 6955187 | Zinc-air battery control valve A zinc-air battery and control valve for controlling air flow to energize the battery. Telescoping inner and outer valve sleeves each have a plurality of openings that when aligned communicate air from the exterior to the interior of the valve. Two actuators are pro... | 10/18/2005 |
| 6790298 | Method of fabrication of free standing shape memory alloy thin film Methods of fabricating a free standing thin film of shape memory alloy material, and products made by the methods. A sacrificial layer of a metallic material is deposited onto the surface of a substrate. Then an amorphous shape memory alloy is sputter deposited onto... | 09/14/2004 |
| 6746890 | Three dimensional thin film devices and methods of fabrication Methods for making thin film multiple layered three-dimensional devices using two-dimensional MEMS techniques for use in a variety of applications including endovascular, endolumenal, intracranial, and intraocular medical applications. In the general method, a thin ... | 06/08/2004 |
| 6742761 | Miniature latching valve An SMA actuated miniature latching valve for on and off control of fluid flow. A valve closure includes a poppet for opening and closing the fluid flow path. The poppet is operated responsive to an actuator mechanism which has SMA wires arranged to be actuated by el... | 06/01/2004 |
| 6729599 | Liquid microvalve A valve for the control of fluid flow in microsize systems, such as for transfer of small samples of blood for processing. An actuator beam comprised of a microribbon formed of a shape memory alloy is in a normally closed position where inlet and outlet ports of the... | 05/04/2004 |