Electronically activated capture device
US7063671B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0058
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A novel capture device apparatus comprising: (a) a capture device portion, at least a part of which is adaptable for insertion into a patient and (b) a control unit. The capture device portion comprises one or more apertures and one or more electroactive polymer actuators that open and close the one or more apertures based on control signals sent from the control unit. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of capturing a specimen within a patient's body of provided. The method comprises (a) providing a capture device apparatus like that above, (b) inserting at least a portion of the capture device portion of the apparatus into the patient such that the capture device portion is adjacent the specimen; and (c) closing the one or more apertures using the control unit, thereby capturing the specimen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.