Claims
- 1. A temperature sensor comprising:
a shell containing a substance capable of providing a visible indication upon release from the shell; and a shape memory material activator for creating a path through the shell to release the substance from the shell in response to exposure to a temperature which is above a maximum safe temperature.
- 2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material activator acts directly on the shell.
- 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material activator releases a mechanical element which acts on the shell.
- 4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the release of a liquid causes a color change of the device.
- 5. The sensor of claim 4, wherein the color change is produced by mixing of the substance with another substance.
- 6. The sensor of claim 4, wherein the color change is produced by a chemical reaction.
- 7. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material activator is an element within the shell.
- 8. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material activator is an element outside of the shell.
- 9. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material activator forms a part of the shell.
- 10. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the shape memory material activator is a restraining clip on a non-shape memory material member.
- 11. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the device provides an indication of a time that the shape memory material activator has been above the predetermined temperature.
- 12. A shape memory material activated device for opening a shell containing a substance, the device comprising:
a shell containing a substance; and a shape memory material activator configured to create a path through the shell in response to exposure of the shape memory material to a temperature above a predetermined temperature.
- 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the shape memory material activator creates a path through the shell to release the substance from the shell or allow another substance to enter the shell.
- 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the shape memory material activator has been deformed from an original memory shape in its martensitic state and returns to the original memory shape upon exposure to a temperature above the predetermined temperature
- 15. The device of claim 12, wherein the shape memory material activator creates the path through the shell by fracturing the shell.
- 16. The device of claim 12, wherein the shape memory material activator creates the path through the shell by separating the shell at a joint.
- 17. The device of claim 12, wherein the shape memory material activator creates the path through the shell by opening two sections of the shell.
- 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the opening of the shell is reversible.
- 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the opening of the shell provides constant release of the substance.
- 20. The device of claim 18, wherein the opening of the shell provides variable release of the substance.
- 21. The device of claim 12, wherein the shape memory material activator creates a path through the shell by converting a shell wall to a permeable wall.
- 22. The device of claim 12, wherein the shell includes a peelable wall and the shape memory material activator peels the peelable wall away from a remainder of the shell.
- 23. The device of claim 22, wherein the peelable wall opens a plurality of shells.
- 24. The device of claim 12, wherein the shape memory material activator utilizes the shape recovery of the shape memory material to create the path through the shell.
- 25. The device of claim 24, wherein the shape memory material activator acts directly on the shell.
- 26. The device of claim 12, further comprising a non-shape memory material mechanical element which creates the path through the shell.
- 27. The device of claim 26, wherein the shape memory material activator releases the non-shape memory material mechanical element.
- 28. The device of claim 12, wherein the shape memory material activator is a spring within the shell.
- 29. The device of claim 12, wherein the shape memory material activator is a spring outside of the shell.
- 30. The device of claim 12, wherein the device provides an indication of a time that the shape memory material activator has been above the predetermined temperature.
- 31. A drug delivery system comprising:
a shell containing a drug; and a shape memory material activator for creating a path to deliver the drug from the shell to a patient when a predetermined temperature of the shape memory material activator is achieved.
- 32. The system of claim 31, wherein the shell includes a peelable wall and the shape memory material activator peels the peelable wall away from a remainder of the shell.
- 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the device is a transdermal patch and the peeling of the peelable wall allows delivery of a drug to a patient.
- 34. The system of claim 32, wherein the shell contains a plurality of chambers and each of the plurality of chambers contains a drug.
- 35. The system of claim 35, wherein each of the plurality of chambers contains a different drug.
- 36. The system of claim 31, wherein the shape memory material activator is within the shell.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/191,703, filed on Mar. 23, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60191703 |
Mar 2000 |
US |