Micro-scale and meso-scale hydraulic and pneumatic tools, methods for using, and methods for making
US8241228B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 2008 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/7011
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Embodiments are directed to micro-scale or meso-scale hydraulically or pneumatically actuated devices, methods for forming such devices using multi-layer, multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods and particularly fabricating (i.e. building up) a plurality of components of devices that are moveable relative to one another in pre-assembled configurations wherein special features are designed into the devices (e.g. wide gaps in fabrication positions and narrowed gaps in working regions of component movement, mechanisms that inhibit the return of device components to fabrication positions after being moved into working regions, used of cylindrical interference and/or checkerboard bushings, etching holes in selected locations to allow removal of sacrificial material) to allow such fabrication to occur without violating intra-layer minimum feature size constraints while still obtaining effective gaps between components that are smaller than the minimum features size limits. Particular applications of such devices involve medical applications and in particular minimally invasive procedures where devices would be moved into a desired working area within a body of a patient via a …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.