THIN-FILM SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATORS AND PROCESSING METHODS

摘要

A shape memory alloy actuator array (10) comprising aplurality of individually trained shape memory alloy actuators(12, 14) to provide relative movement of different actuator arrayportions and a thin-film heating element (22) positioned adjacentat least one shape memory alloy actuator to thermally activatethe actuator for movement away from its initial shape. A shapememory alloy medical device such as a catheter or a conduitis further provided comprising a lattice network or scaffoldingof individually activated and oppositely trained shape memoryalloy actuators (26) set with a predetermined shape to providea full range of directional movement within a body, and anetwork of thin-film heating elements (22) to selectively activatea combination of actuators for movement or variable stiffness. Amethod of forming a shape memory alloy actuator array is alsoprovided wherein a plurality of shape memory alloy actuators areformed by removing selected window portions from a single sheetof shape memory alloy along a series of spaced apart rows andcolumns before individual training with a predetermined shape. Athin-film network of addressable heating elements may further bedeposited onto the sheet for selective activation of shape memoryalloy actuators within the array.