Tissue Support Structure

Abstract

An apparatus includes a component having a shape memory material. The shape memory material has a first shape including a substantially elongate segment. The shape memory material has a second shape including a helix having a first ring and a second ring configured to exert a compressive force on a membrane interleaved between the first ring and the second ring and lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the helix, the shape selectable based on an external stimulus.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a component including a shape memory material, the component including:
 a first structure having a geometric shape and including a feature disposed thereon; 
 a second structure having the geometric shape and opposing the first structure, the second structure including a feature corresponding to the feature of the first structure; and 
 a link coupled to the first structure and the second structure, the link being a hinge or folded portion of the shape memory material; 
   wherein:
 the component is configured to transform between a first configuration and a second configuration; 
 the first configuration includes the component being in an open configuration and the second configuration includes the component being configured to be in a clamping configuration; and 
 in the clamping configuration, the first structure and the second structure are configured to exert a compressive force on a membrane interleaved between the first structure and the second structure and lying in a plane substantially parallel to the first structure and second structure, and the feature of the first structure are configured to engage the feature of the second structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the geometric shape includes at least one of a circle, a square, a rectangle, an ellipse, an oblong, or a polygon. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the link is configured to cause the component to transform between the first configuration and the second configuration when activated by an external stimulus. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the external stimulus includes at least one of thermal energy, an electric field, a magnetic field, a light, or a pH level. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first structure and the second structure includes a textured surface configured to bond to the membrane. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the each of the first structure and the second structure includes a plurality of bumps, ridges or rings. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first structure and the second structure are a flattened ring. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shape memory material includes a metal alloy and/or a polymer. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus comprising:
 a component including a shape memory material, the component including:
 a first structure having a geometric shape and including a feature disposed thereon; 
 a second structure having the geometric shape and opposing the first structure, the second structure including a feature corresponding to the feature of the first structure; and 
 a link coupled to the first structure and the second structure, the link being a hinge or folded portion of the shape memory material; 
   wherein:
 the component is configured to transform between an rolled configuration and an unfurled configuration; and 
 when the component is in the unfurled configuration, the component is configured to transform between an open configuration and a clamping configuration. 
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the geometric shape includes at least one of a circle, a square, a rectangle, an ellipse, an oblong, or a polygon. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the component is configured to transform between the rolled configuration and the unfurled configuration when activated by an external stimulus. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the external stimulus includes at least one of thermal energy, an electric field, a magnetic field, a light, or a pH level. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein in the clamping configuration, the first structure and the second structure are configured to exert a compressive force on a membrane interleaved between the first structure and the second structure and lying in a plane substantially parallel to the first structure and second structure, and the feature of the first structure are configured to engage the feature of the second structure. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the link is configured to cause the component to transform between the open configuration and the clamping configuration when activated by an external stimulus. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the external stimulus includes at least one of thermal energy, an electric field, a magnetic field, a light, or a pH level. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each of the first structure and the second structure includes a textured surface configured to bond to the membrane. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the each of the first structure and the second structure includes a plurality of bumps, ridges or rings. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the rolled configuration includes the component being rolled so to have a tube-like shape. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the component includes a latch disposed on the first structure and spaced apart from the link, the latch being configured to engage the second structure. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the shape memory material includes at least one of a metal alloy or a polymer.