Surgical tool with an electroactive polymer for use in a body
First Claim
1. A surgical device for producing work in the body comprising an implantable unit including a transducer, said transducer having a dielectric polymer film disposed between two electrodes, said electrodes connected to an electrical lead, said film having an initial position with a first size and an excited position with a different second size, said transducer accomplishing work resulting from said film transitioning from said first position to said second position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical tool for doing work inside the body is powered by an electroactive polymer in the form of a transducer. The electroactive polymer is connected to an electrical power source and deforms from an initial position to a different second position upon electrical stimulation. The transducer can make a cavity in bone for internal splints or power a pump.
63 Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A surgical device for producing work in the body comprising an implantable unit including a transducer, said transducer having a dielectric polymer film disposed between two electrodes, said electrodes connected to an electrical lead, said film having an initial position with a first size and an excited position with a different second size, said transducer accomplishing work resulting from said film transitioning from said first position to said second position.
- 7. In an orthopedic system having a guide wire for percutaneous penetration and insertion through a bone having a cortical portion and a cancellous portion, a cannula for telescoping insertion along said guide wire and penetration into the cancellous portion of the bone, the improvement comprising an electroactive polymer sandwiched between electrodes with an initial position of a size and shape for insertion through said cannula into the cancellous portion of the bone, said electroactive polymer having malleable properties including changes of size and shape, a source of electrical energy for stimulating said electrodes, said electrodes having an electrical connection with said source whereby activation of said source excites said electrodes causing said malleable properties to change at least one of said size and said shape of said electroactive polymer and alter the bone.
- 12. A transducer for insertion into a bone for altering the cancellous portion comprising an electroactive polymer with malleable properties sandwiched between opposing electrodes, said electroactive polymer having an initial position of a size and shape to be inserted into the cancellous portion of a bone, said malleable properties of said electroactive polymer changing in response to electrical stimulation, and an electrical energy source, said electrodes electrically connected to said source whereby activation of said source results in changed properties of said electroactive polymer and altered bone.
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14. A method of forming a cavity within a bone having a cortical body and a cancellous interior comprising the steps of
a) inserting a cannula through the cortical body of a bone into said cancellous interior, said cannula including an aperture, a transducer spanning said aperture, said transducer having an initial position and a second position, b) connecting said transducer to a source of electrical energy, and c) said transducer transitioning to said second position, said second position being larger than said initial position whereby said cancellous interior is compressed to form a cavity.
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16. A method of infusing a medicament from a variable volume pump comprising the steps of
a) providing a pump having a body with a reservoir and an infusion port connecting said reservoir with said exterior of said body, a flexible diaphragm connected to said body in said reservoir separating said reservoir into two chambers, a transducer in one chamber, and a medicament is said second chamber, b) said transducer having an initial position and a second position, c) applying an electrical charge to said transducer, d) said transducer transitioning from said initial position to said second larger position whereby said first chamber is enlarged and said second chamber is decreased and said medicament is expressed from said infusion port.
Specification