External counterpulsation device using electroactive polymer actuators
First Claim
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1. A system for exerting a compressive force on an exterior treatment portion of a user'"'"'s body comprising the user'"'"'s thighs in synchrony with the heart beat of the user, comprising:
- a covering member for covering the treatment portion, said covering member comprising a garment enclosing at least the user'"'"'s thighs when worn by the user; and
a plurality of electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators operably connected to the covering member, wherein said electroactive polymer actuators comprise an electroactive polymer member, a counter electrode and an electrolyte-containing region disposed between the electroactive polymer member and the counter electrode, wherein a plurality of said EAP actuators extend circumferentially around the user'"'"'s thighs in multiple rows when worn by the user, wherein a plurality of actuators are provided in a spaced relationship in each single row, and wherein the location of the spaces between adjacent actuators in one row is offset from the spaces between adjacent actuators of an adjacent row such that the entire circumference of the treatment portion will be covered by an actuator over a plurality of rows of actuators.
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Abstract
The present invention provides an exterior counterpulsation (ECP) system that includes a garment for being worn on the exterior of a patient'"'"'s body. The garment includes electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators connected thereto. In one embodiment, the EAP actuators are woven into the garment. In another embodiment, they are mounted to the garment surface.
77 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A system for exerting a compressive force on an exterior treatment portion of a user'"'"'s body comprising the user'"'"'s thighs in synchrony with the heart beat of the user, comprising:
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a covering member for covering the treatment portion, said covering member comprising a garment enclosing at least the user'"'"'s thighs when worn by the user; and a plurality of electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators operably connected to the covering member, wherein said electroactive polymer actuators comprise an electroactive polymer member, a counter electrode and an electrolyte-containing region disposed between the electroactive polymer member and the counter electrode, wherein a plurality of said EAP actuators extend circumferentially around the user'"'"'s thighs in multiple rows when worn by the user, wherein a plurality of actuators are provided in a spaced relationship in each single row, and wherein the location of the spaces between adjacent actuators in one row is offset from the spaces between adjacent actuators of an adjacent row such that the entire circumference of the treatment portion will be covered by an actuator over a plurality of rows of actuators. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A counterpulsation apparatus, comprising:
- a garment enclosing at least the thighs of a user when worn by the user; and
a plurality of electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators connected to the garment, wherein said electroactive polymer actuators comprise an electroactive polymer member, a counter electrode and an electrolyte-containing region disposed between the electroactive polymer member and the counter electrode, wherein a plurality of said EAP actuators extend circumferentially around the user'"'"'s thighs in multiple rows when worn by the user, wherein a plurality of actuators are provided in a spaced relationship in each single row, and wherein the location of the spaces between adjacent actuators in one row is offset from the spaces between adjacent actuators of an adjacent row such that the entire circumference of the treatment portion will be covered by an actuator over a plurality of rows of actuators. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- a garment enclosing at least the thighs of a user when worn by the user; and
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26. A method of exerting pressure on an external-treatment area of a patient comprising the patient'"'"'s thighs, comprising:
- providing a garment to cover the treatment area; and
actuating electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators connected to the garment in synchrony with the heart beat of the patient, wherein said electroactive polymer actuators comprise an electroactive polymer member, a counter electrode and an electrolyte-containing region disposed between the electroactive polymer member and the counter electrode, wherein a plurality of said EAP actuators extend circumferentially around the patient'"'"'s thighs in multiple rows, wherein a plurality of actuators are provided in a spaced relationship in each single row, and wherein the location of the spaces between adjacent actuators in one row is offset from the spaces between adjacent actuators of an adjacent row such that the entire circumference of the treatment portion will be covered by an actuator over a plurality of rows of actuators. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
- providing a garment to cover the treatment area; and
Specification