ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER ACTUATED GASTRIC BAND
First Claim
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1. A gastric band, comprising:
- a flexible band adapted to encircle a stomach;
a latch mechanism formed on the band; and
at least one actuator coupled to the latch mechanism and adapted to expand and contract the latch mechanism when energy is applied thereto to adjust a diameter of the band.
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Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for remotely adjusting a size of a gastric band disposed around a patient'"'"'s stomach. In one exemplary embodiment, a gastric band is provided having a first end and a second end that mate to one another to encircle a stomach. A latch mechanism can be formed on the band, and at least one actuator can be coupled to the latch mechanism and it can be adapted to expand and contract the latch mechanism when energy is applied thereto to adjust a diameter of the band. In one exemplary embodiment, the actuator(s) is an electroactive polymer actuator.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A gastric band, comprising:
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a flexible band adapted to encircle a stomach;
a latch mechanism formed on the band; and
at least one actuator coupled to the latch mechanism and adapted to expand and contract the latch mechanism when energy is applied thereto to adjust a diameter of the band. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A gastric band, comprising:
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a flexible band adapted to encircle a stomach and having first and second ends that mate to one another; and
at least one electrically expandable and contractible actuator coupled to the flexible band and adapted to adjust a diameter of the band when electrical energy is delivered thereto. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for remotely adjusting a gastric band disposed around a stomach, comprising:
selectively delivering energy to at least one electrically expandable and contractible actuator disposed on a gastric band positioned around a stomach to change a diameter of the gastric band. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
Specification