Electroactive polymer actuated gastric band
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A gastric band, comprising:
- a flexible band adapted to encircle a stomach;
a latch mechanism formed on the band, at least a portion of the latch mechanism being formed from an electroactive polymer actuator adapted to expand and contract the latch mechanism when energy is applied thereto to adjust a diameter of the band;
wherein the flexible band includes a first end with a plurality of teeth formed thereon, and a second end having the latch mechanism formed therein for engaging the plurality of teeth formed on the first end;
wherein the latch mechanism includes a locking actuator formed from an electroactive polymer and adapted to releasably lock the first and second ends relative to one another, and a traversing actuator formed from an electroactive polymer adapted to engage the teeth to selectively move the first and second ends relative to one another.
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Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for remotely adjusting a size of a gastric band disposed around a patient'"'"'s stomach. In one exemplary embodiment, a gastric band is provided having a first end and a second end that mate to one another to encircle a stomach. A latch mechanism can be formed on the band, and at least one actuator can be coupled to the latch mechanism and it can be adapted to expand and contract the latch mechanism when energy is applied thereto to adjust a diameter of the band. In one exemplary embodiment, the actuator(s) is an electroactive polymer actuator.
100 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A gastric band, comprising:
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a flexible band adapted to encircle a stomach; a latch mechanism formed on the band, at least a portion of the latch mechanism being formed from an electroactive polymer actuator adapted to expand and contract the latch mechanism when energy is applied thereto to adjust a diameter of the band; wherein the flexible band includes a first end with a plurality of teeth formed thereon, and a second end having the latch mechanism formed therein for engaging the plurality of teeth formed on the first end; wherein the latch mechanism includes a locking actuator formed from an electroactive polymer and adapted to releasably lock the first and second ends relative to one another, and a traversing actuator formed from an electroactive polymer adapted to engage the teeth to selectively move the first and second ends relative to one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for remotely adjusting a gastric band disposed around a stomach, comprising:
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selectively delivering energy to an electroactive polymer locking actuator disposed on a gastric band positioned around a stomach to allow slidable movement of first and second ends of the gastric band relative to one another; and selectively delivering energy to an electroactive polymer traversing actuator to move the first and second ends relative to one another and thereby change a diameter of the gastric band. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for remotely adjusting a gastric band disposed around a stomach, comprising:
selectively delivering energy to a first electrically expandable and contractible electroactive polymer actuator disposed on a gastric band positioned around a stomach to increase a diameter of the gastric band, and selectively delivering energy to a second electrically expandable and contractible electroactive polymer actuator on the gastric band to decrease the diameter of the gastric band, wherein the first and second electrically expandable and contractible electroactive polymer actuators form at least a portion of a latch coupled to first and seconds ends of the gastric band and effective to move the first and second ends of the gastric band relative to one another. - View Dependent Claims (16)
Specification