Catheter apparatus and methods of using same
First Claim
1. A catheter apparatus comprising a catheter having an electroactive polymer therein, the electroactive polymer configured to control at least one of shape or direction of the catheter in a vessel as the electroactive polymer is electrically activated;
- a computer including a memory and a processor configured to store vascular information and determine voltages to be applied to activate the electroactive polymer to steer the catheter to a desired site after it is inserted into a body; and
an electrical source responsive to the computer and configured to apply the determined voltages to the electroactive polymer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter apparatus includes a catheter having an electroactive polymer inside. The electroactive polymer is configured to control either or both shape and/or direction of the catheter in a vessel as the electroactive polymer is electrically activated. The apparatus further includes a computer which may be denoted as a “control computer.” The computer includes a memory and a processor configured to store vascular information and determine voltages to be applied to activate the electroactive polymer to steer the catheter to a desired site after it is inserted into a body. Also included is an electrical source responsive to the computer and configured to apply the determined voltages to the electroactive polymer.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A catheter apparatus comprising a catheter having an electroactive polymer therein, the electroactive polymer configured to control at least one of shape or direction of the catheter in a vessel as the electroactive polymer is electrically activated;
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a computer including a memory and a processor configured to store vascular information and determine voltages to be applied to activate the electroactive polymer to steer the catheter to a desired site after it is inserted into a body; and
an electrical source responsive to the computer and configured to apply the determined voltages to the electroactive polymer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 20)
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10. A method for imaging an organ of a body, the method comprising:
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imaging a vascular system of the body;
digitizing and storing vascular information obtained from said imaging in a control computer; and
utilizing the control computer to apply voltages to electroactive polymer in a catheter in accordance with the stored vascular information to steer the catheter to a desired site after it is inserted into the body. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A catheter apparatus comprising:
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a catheter having an electroactive polymer therein, the electroactive polymer configured to control at least one of shape or direction of the catheter in a vessel as the electroactive polymer is electrically activated;
a contact sensor configured to sense contact with a vessel wall or an organ wall;
and a control computer responsive to the contact sensor and configured to utilize an electrical source to immediately electrically activate the electroactive polymer to change shape or direction of the catheter upon the contact sensor sensing contact with a vessel wall or an organ wall.
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Specification