US 11,717,258 B2
Methods and systems for a shape-changing invasive deployable device
Edouard Da Cruz, Nice (FR); Giandonato Stallone, Nice (FR); and Flavien Daloz, Antibes (FR)
Assigned to GE Precision Healthcare LLC, Milwaukee, WI (US)
Filed by GE Precision Healthcare LLC, Milwaukee, WI (US)
Filed on May 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 15/930,282.
Prior Publication US 2021/0353253 A1, Nov. 18, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 8/12 (2006.01); A61B 8/00 (2006.01); A61B 8/08 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 8/12 (2013.01) [A61B 8/08 (2013.01); A61B 8/445 (2013.01); A61B 8/4494 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A deployable invasive device comprising:
a transducer with a plurality of transducer arrays linked by at least one shape memory material, each of the plurality of transducer arrays having a backing material on one side, the at least one shape memory material comprising a shape memory polymer configured to transition in shape in response to one or more external stimuli and coupled to an edge of each of the plurality of transducer arrays, the at least one shape memory material extending away from each of the plurality of transducer arrays when the transducer is in each of a first, folded shape and a second, unfolded shape, and the at least one shape memory material configured to transition the transducer between the first, folded shape and the second, unfolded shape in response to the one or more external stimuli;
wherein in the second, unfolded shape, the plurality of transducer arrays are arranged substantially co-planar with one another and with the at least one shape memory material positioned in a region between the backing material of each of a pair of the plurality of transducer arrays, the region defined by inward facing opposing edges of the backing material of each of the pair of the plurality of transducer arrays and the region comprising the at least one shape memory material being substantially co-planar with the backing material of each of the pair of the plurality of transducer arrays extending therefrom, and an active area of the transducer is increased relative to the first, folded shape.