Electroactive polymer-actuated peristaltic pump and medical lead incorporating such a pump
First Claim
1. A peristaltic pump for conveying a fluid, the pump comprising:
- a flexible tube having an outer surface and a lumen for carrying the fluid, said tube having a length and opposed ends, the outer surface of the body carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electroactive polymer actuators adapted to be responsive to electrical signals for energizing said plurality of electroactive polymer actuators sequentially to move a lumen pinch-off along the length of the tube to thereby convey the fluid from one end of the tube to the other end;
wherein each of the plurality of electroactive polymer actuators encircles the outer surface of said tube; and
wherein;
each of the plurality of actuators comprises a split ring element mounted on the outer surface of the tube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A peristaltic pump for conveying a fluid comprises a flexible tube having an outer surface and a lumen for carrying the fluid such as a therapeutic agent. The tube has a length defined by opposed ends of the tube, the outer surface of the body carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electroactive polymer actuators. The plurality of actuators are adapted to be responsive to electrical signals for energizing the actuators sequentially along the length of the tube to move a lumen pinch-off along the length of the tube to thereby convey the fluid from one end of the tube to the other end by means of a peristaltic pumping action. The peristaltic pump may be incorporated into a medical lead, such as an endocardial pacing lead, carrying at least one electrode.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A peristaltic pump for conveying a fluid, the pump comprising:
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a flexible tube having an outer surface and a lumen for carrying the fluid, said tube having a length and opposed ends, the outer surface of the body carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electroactive polymer actuators adapted to be responsive to electrical signals for energizing said plurality of electroactive polymer actuators sequentially to move a lumen pinch-off along the length of the tube to thereby convey the fluid from one end of the tube to the other end; wherein each of the plurality of electroactive polymer actuators encircles the outer surface of said tube; and
wherein;each of the plurality of actuators comprises a split ring element mounted on the outer surface of the tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A system for conveying a fluid, the system comprising:
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a peristaltic pump comprising a flexible tube having an outer surface and a lumen for carrying the fluid, said tube having a length and opposed ends, the outer surface of the body carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electroactive polymer actuators; an electrical power supply; a plurality of switches coupling the electrical power supply with the plurality of electroactive polymer actuators; and a controller connected to said plurality of switches for activating said switches to energize said plurality of electroactive polymer actuators sequentially to move a lumen pinch-off along the length of the tube to thereby convey the fluid from one end of the tube to the other end; each of the plurality of electroactive polymer actuators encircles the outer surface of said tube; and
wherein;each of the plurality of actuators comprises a split ring element mounted on the outer surface of the tube. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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Specification