Nanotube paper-based medical device

• US 7,037,319 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Weber, Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
• Application Number:
  US10/270,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 606/108, 606191-198, 623/1.1, 623/1.11
• US Class Current: 606/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30075 swellable, e.g. when wetted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30329 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0061 swellable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0057 Catheters delivering medicament other than through a conventional lumen, e.g. porous walls or hydrogel coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0058 having an electroactive polymer material, e.g. for steering purposes, for control of flexibility, for locking, for opening or closing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1086 having a special balloon surface topography, e.g. pores, protuberances, spikes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• 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 medical device is disclosed which may include the use of carbon nanotube paper. The medical device may be provided in the form of a balloon catheter wherein the nanotube paper is mounted about an electrode and into which an electrically conductive fluid is dispersed. An elastomeric sheath may then be provided about the nanotube paper. Actuation of the electrode may cause generation of microbubbles within the fluid and thereby cause the paper to expand.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising:

an electrode;

a ring of nanotube paper surrounding the electrode;

an electrolyte injected into the nanotube paper; and

a balloon membrane surrounding the nanotube paper;

two conductors attached respectively to the electrode and the nanotube paper.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is an aqueous electrolyte.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is aqueous sodium chloride.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the device compromises a catheter.

5. The medical device of claim 4, wherein the catheter extends longitudinally from the nanotube paper at a distal end of the catheter to a user engageable proximal end.

6. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising an inner membrane surrounding the electrode and disposed between the electrode and the nanotube paper.

7. The medical device of claim 6, wherein the inner membrane is a proton exchange.

8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the ballon membrane is made of a polymer.