Universal, programmable guide catheter
First Claim
1. A guide catheter apparatus, comprising:
- (a) a guide catheter portion comprising a plurality of electroactive polymer actuators disposed along its axial length, said actuators changing guide catheter portion shape based upon received control signals, wherein each of said electroactive polymer actuators comprises (a) an active member portion, (b) a counter-electrode portion and (c) a region comprising an electrolyte, wherein said active portion, said counter-electrode portion and said region comprising an electrolyte are disposed between one or more substrate layers and a barrier layer, wherein said substrate layer is in the shape of a tube, said guide catheter portion further comprising a plurality of strained gauges attached to one or more substrate layers in the shape of a tube; and
(b) a control unit coupled to said plurality of actuators and sending said control signals to said plurality of actuators.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A guide catheter apparatus that comprises the following: (a) a guide catheter portion that includes a plurality of electroactive polymer actuators disposed along its axial length and (b) a control unit coupled to the actuators and sending control signals to the actuators. The actuators change the shape of the guide catheter portion based upon the control signals that are received from the control unit. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of introducing a guide catheter into a body lumen is provided. The method comprises: (a) providing a guide catheter apparatus like that above, and (b) inserting the guide catheter portion of the guide catheter apparatus into the body lumen, while using the control unit to control the shape of the guide catheter portion.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A guide catheter apparatus, comprising:
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(a) a guide catheter portion comprising a plurality of electroactive polymer actuators disposed along its axial length, said actuators changing guide catheter portion shape based upon received control signals, wherein each of said electroactive polymer actuators comprises (a) an active member portion, (b) a counter-electrode portion and (c) a region comprising an electrolyte, wherein said active portion, said counter-electrode portion and said region comprising an electrolyte are disposed between one or more substrate layers and a barrier layer, wherein said substrate layer is in the shape of a tube, said guide catheter portion further comprising a plurality of strained gauges attached to one or more substrate layers in the shape of a tube; and (b) a control unit coupled to said plurality of actuators and sending said control signals to said plurality of actuators. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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21. A method of introducing a guide catheter into a body lumen comprising:
- providing a guide catheter apparatus, said guide catheter apparatus comprising;
(a) a guide catheter portion comprising a plurality of electroactive polymer actuators disposed along its axial length, said actuators changing guide catheter portion shape based upon received control signals, wherein each said electroactive polymer actuators comprises (a) an active member portion, (b) a counter-electrode portion and (c) a region comprising an electrolyte, wherein said active member portion said counter-electrode portion and said region comprising an electrolyte are disposed between a substrate layer and a barrier layer wherein said substrate layer is in the shape of a tube, said guide catheter portion further comprising a plurality of strain gauges attached to one or more substrate layers in the shape of a tube; and
(b) a control unit coupled to said plurality of actuators and sending said control signals to said plurality of actuators; and
inserting said guide catheter portion of said guide catheter apparatus into said body lumen while controlling the shape of said guide catheter portion using said control unit.
- providing a guide catheter apparatus, said guide catheter apparatus comprising;
Specification