ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER-BASED PUMP

• US 20070025868A1
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ortiz, Mark, Swayze, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,353,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/474
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/08 having tubular flexible members F04B43/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/09 Pumps having electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/12 having peristaltic action

Abstract

Methods and devices for pumping fluid are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a pump is provided having a first member with a passageway formed therethrough, and a plurality of electrically expandable actuators in communication with the first member and adapted to change shape upon the application of energy thereto such that sequential activation of the activators can create a pumping action to move fluid through the first member.

Claims

1. A pumping device, comprising:

a first member having a passageway formed therethrough; and

a plurality of actuators in communication with the first member and adapted to change shape upon the application of energy thereto such that sequential activation of the plurality of actuators is adapted to create pumping action to move fluid through the first member.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each actuator is adapted to expand radially and contract axially upon the application of energy thereto.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein each actuator comprises an electroactive polymer.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each actuator comprises at least one electroactive polymer composite having at least one flexible conductive layer, an electroactive polymer layer, and an ionic gel layer.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein each actuator includes a return electrode and a delivery electrode coupled thereto, the delivery electrode being adapted to deliver energy to the actuator from an external energy source.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of actuators are coupled to a flexible tubular member disposed within the passageway of the first member.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the flexible tubular member includes an inner lumen formed therethrough for receiving fluid, and the plurality of actuators are disposed around the flexible tubular member.

8. The device of claim 6, further comprising an inner tubular member disposed within the inner lumen of the flexible tubular member and defining a passageway for receiving tools and devices, wherein fluid is adapted to flow between the inner tubular member and the flexible tubular member.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of actuators are disposed within an inner lumen of the flexible tubular member, and are adapted to be sequentially activated to radially expand upon energy delivery thereto to move fluid between the flexible tubular member and the first member.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuators are radially positioned within the first member.

11. The device of claim 9, further comprising a sheath positioned around the actuators.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the actuators are mated to an internal surface of the sheath and to a central hub.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the application of energy to at least one of the actuators moves the sheath relative to the first member.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the actuators are adapted to move from a contracted position, in which the sheath is spaced from an inner surface of the first member, to an expanded position in which the sheath contacts the inner surface first member.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuators are adapted to move independently.

16. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the series of electroactive polymer actuators are disposed within a flexible elongate shaft, and an outer tubular housing is disposed around the flexible elongate shaft such that the passageway is formed between the outer tubular housing and the flexible elongate shaft, and wherein the series of electroactive polymer actuators expand radially when energy is delivered thereto to expand the flexible elongate shaft and pump fluid through the passageway.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the series of electroactive polymer actuators are disposed around a flexible elongate shaft defining the passageway therethrough, and the series of electroactive polymer actuators contract radially when energy is delivered thereto to contract the flexible elongate shaft and pump fluid through the passageway.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the series of electroactive polymer actuators define the passageway therethrough, and the series of electroactive polymer actuators radially contract when energy is delivered thereto to pump fluid through the fluid flow pathway.

17. A method of pumping fluid, comprising:

sequentially delivering energy to a series of electroactive polymer actuators to pump fluid through a passageway in communication with the electroactive polymer actuators.