Patent ID: 9687229
Date: 2017-06-27
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61L,C08L

Claim:
1. A method for employing Shape Memory (SM) tissue capture elements comprising the steps of: forming a planar multilayer composite sheet by elongating at least one SM material sheet to a temporary elongated shape by applying an external force, the at least one SM material sheet having a transition temperature, Ttrans cutting a plurality of SM tissue capture elements from the composite sheet; forming each of the plurality of SM tissue capture elements over a form with heat applied to temporarily set the at least one SM material sheet in the plurality of SM tissue capture elements to an extended state perpendicular from a base; molding the plurality of SM tissue capture elements into a flexible base material to form a pad array; inserting the plurality of SM tissue capture elements into the target tissue; and, allowing the SM tissue capture elements to stabilize at the temperature of the target tissue causing the at least one SM material sheet to contract while the at least one second sheet remains a constant length thereby transforming the SM tissue capture element to a curved engagement state.