Patent · US Active

Electroactive polymer activation system for a medical device

US8133199B2 · kind B2 · utility

71Cited by
289References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 27, 2008
Grant dateMar 13, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 22, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M2205/0288
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An activation circuit for selectively providing an electrical current to one or more electroactive polymers (EAPs) in a medical device is disclosed. The activation circuit may include a sensor for sensing a measure related to a parameter of an elongated member and/or a balloon of the medical device. The electrical current may be provided to the one or more EAPs according to the sensed parameter of the elongated member and/or the balloon of the medical device. In some cases, the activation circuit may include a comparator for comparing the sensed measure to a threshold to determine when the electrical current is applied to the EAPs. The parameter may be a pressure, a fluid flow, a temperature, and/or other suitable parameter.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.