Remote actuated valve implant

摘要

Valve implant systems positionable within a flow passage, the systems having an inlet, an outlet, and a remotely activatable valve between the inlet and outlet, with the valves being operable to provide intermittent occlusion of the flow path. A remote field is applied to provide thermal or magnetic activation of the valves.

主权项

1. A thermally actuated valve comprising:
a tubing comprising an interior sidewall defining a lumen therethrough; a thermally responsive polymer arranged within the lumen of the tubing; and a thermal actuating element arranged to the thermally responsive polymer and within the lumen of the tubing, wherein the thermal actuating element comprises:
a coil wire and a resistance heater electrically connected to the coil wire, wherein in response to an external electric field, a current is induced in the coil wire to power the resistance heater to heat the thermally responsive polymer to switch the thermally responsive polymer between at least a swollen state within the lumen of the tubing and a shrunken state within the lumen of the tubing to vary a flow rate of fluid through the lumen.