Medical devices using electrosensitive gels

• US 6,491,663 B1
• Filed: 04/06/2000
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Original Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anhtuan T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thompson, Michael M
• Application Number:
  US09/544,100
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 604/4, 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/131, 604/132, 604/153, 604/246, 604/524, 604/523, 604/525, 604/96.01, 604/164.03, 604/916, 604/103-1-1, 222/95, 222/96, 138/137
• US Class Current: 604/103.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0009 involving or responsive to electricity, magnetism or acoustic waves; Galenical aspects of sonophoresis, iontophoresis, electroporation or electroosmosis microelectromechanical systems A61K9/0097
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0116 self-propelled, e.g. autonomous robots A61M25/0122 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/10 Balloon catheters A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02; inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 ; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00

Abstract

A balloon catheter having an elongated tubular portion having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The balloon is attached to the catheter near the distal end portion. At least one reservoir is attached to the balloon. An expandable copolymer gel fills the reservoir and an electrode is operably attached to the expandable copolymer gel. This permits the balloon to change shape in response to a voltage applied to the electrode.

Claims

1. A balloon catheter, comprising:

an elongated tubular portion having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

a balloon attached to said catheter near said distal end portion;

at least one reservoir attached to said balloon;

an expandable copolymer gel filling said reservoir; and

first electrode means operably attached to said expandable copolymer gel enabling changes in the shape of said balloon in response to a voltage applied to said first electrode means.

2. The balloon catheter of claim 1, further comprising a flexible, elongated, hollow wall of said catheter;

an ER gel filling said elongated hollow wall; and

second electrode means operably connected to said ER gel, to enable said device to be made rigid or flexible in response to a voltage applied to said second electrode means.