Patent ID: 7582109

Claim:
A method of sequentially transitioning a thermally active shape memory device, comprising the steps of: progressively translocating said thermally active shape memory device through a first temperature zone of a lumen comprising said first temperature zone; progressively translocating said thermally active shape memory device through a controlled temperature zone of said lumen, wherein said first temperature zone and said controlled temperature zone are at materially different temperatures; and progressively and sequentially thermally transitioning a geometric change in shape of said thermally active shape memory device at said controlled temperature zone as said shape memory device is progressively translocated through said lumen as a result of thermal transfer between said shape memory device and said lumen at said controlled temperature zone of said lumen, wherein the progressive and sequential thermal transitioning of the geometric change in shape of said thermally active shape memory device progressively and sequentially produces a shape transitioned thermally active shape memory device.