Patent ID: 7918789
Filing Date: 2011-04-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An orientable longitudinal structure comprising: an assembly of substantially longitudinal actuators made of shaped memory alloy; n-doped and p-doped Peltier elements, and electric control means; said actuators being arranged in pairs and positioned in parallel in an antagonist way opposite to each other with respect to their respective memorized shape; each said actuator being in contact substantially at its ends with an n-doped Peltier element and a p-doped Peltier element, respectively; each said n-doped Peltier element being in contact with a first at least partially annular conducting element and each said p-doped Peltier element being in contact with a second at least partial annular conducting element; the assembly being mounted in series with the electric control means to form a thermoelectric circuit so that, for a fixed direction of an applied current, one of the actuators of each said pair will heat and will undergo a flexion towards its memorized shape, and the actuator positioned in the antagonist way will cool and undergo a flexion opposite its memorized shape, and flexing movement of said structure being transmitted between said actuators and said conducting elements.