Patent ID: 11918513
Assignee: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A  F | IPC A  F

Claim 10:
11. A drainage device comprising:
a drainage passage that has a round interior cross-sectional shape;
at least one microactuator disposed in the drainage passage; and
magnetic means for statically or dynamically actuating the at least one microactuator to inhibit the formation of flow obstructions in the drainage passage;
wherein the at least one microactuator comprises a frame and a cantilevered appendage anchored to the frame such that the frame supports the appendage, the frame at least partially surrounds the appendage, and the appendage is disposed in an opening or window defined by the frame, the appendage comprising a platform and a beam that anchors the platform to the frame to enable the appendage to deflect relative to the frame, the platform comprising a ferromagnetic material that enables the appendage to deflect in response to an applied magnetic field; and
wherein the platform is connected at a first end thereof to the at least one beam, has a second end that is oppositely disposed from the first end, and has a rounded distal edge at the second end having a parabolic shape that is complementary to the round interior cross-sectional shape of the drainage passage.