Conveying device with peristaltic movement

Abstract

A conveying device with peristaltic movement includes a flexible transport tube and a two-way shape memory alloy. The two-way shape memory alloy is mounted on the surface of the transport tube. When the two-way shape memory alloy is electrically conducted and heated, the cross-sectional area of transport path in the flexible transport tube contracts by the contractive force resulting therefrom. When electrically conducting and heating the two-way shape memory alloy is terminated, the original cross-sectional area of transport path in the flexible transport tube is restored by the recovery force thereof. The position of the flexible transport tube at which the contraction and the restoration are applied to is sequentially moved in a predetermined direction by a temperature controlling device, so as to convey an object within the flexible transport tube in the predetermined direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to conveying devices with peristaltic movement, and it particularly relates to a technology by which to convey and carry an object with peristaltic movement. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] As methods for conveying the liquid, slurry-like objects or solid objects, there are available a screw-type method, a method utilizing the air pressure generated by piston actions and rotary pumps, and so forth. As for the path through which the objects are conveyed, the screw-type method can be applied to a rod-shape object whereas the piston actions, rotary pumps can be applied to curved or flexible regions. However, if the screw-type method or the method utilizing the air pressure generated by piston actions and rotary pumps are to be used, an additional space needs to be secured for installing a power source such as a motor or pump. [0005] Relate Art List [0006] (1) Japanese Paten...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a conveying device with peristaltic movement that can be installed in a rigid, curved or flexible shape without requiring a space for a power supply source. The device includes a flexible transport tube with a cross-sectional area of transport path that is contracted by heating a two-way shape memory alloy and restored by stopping the heating. The device can convey objects in a predetermined direction by controlling the repetition of the contraction and restoration motions. The invention solves the problem of requiring a space for a power supply source and provides a more efficient and flexible conveying device."

Problems solved by technology

However, if the screw-type method or the method utilizing the air pressure generated by piston actions and rotary pumps are to be used, an additional space needs to be secured for installing a power source such as a motor or pump.

Here, the screw-type method can be applied to objects having the rigid shape only, so that it cannot be applied to the curved or flexible regions such as artificial esophagus.

Besides, this screw-type method will be of no use unless there is secured a space for setting up the power source such as a motor.

However, if it is hard to secure the space for installing the power source such as a pump, this structure is also of no use then.

The esophagus' operation is one of the most difficult operations in the surgery since the esophagus needs to be reconstructed after the removal of esophageal cancer.

As a result, the surgical stress and the risk accompanied thereby are high.

The conventional artificial esophagus is a mere tube made of polymeric material, and cannot perform the peristaltic movement.

Even if the cell renewal of esophagi is possible with the help of the regenerative medicines, the peristaltic movement cannot be realized due to the lack of tunica muscularis ventriculi.

This is rather out of the question and is totally unrealistic and not usable in the actual setting.

Moreover, even if achieving the peristaltic movement is intended by use of a motor, it is obvious that there is no such spare space to place the motor in the esophagus.

Thus this scheme is unrealistic, too, and must be abandoned.

Accordingly, there has not been available any artificial esophagus like the human esophagus which can be actually embedded inside the human body and is capable of achieving the peristaltic movement.

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