ADJUSTABLE BIFURCATION CATHETER INCORPORATING ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME

• US 20120265286A1
• Filed: 06/22/2012
• Published: 10/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Gregorich, Daniel, Heidner, Matt, Eidenschink, Tracee, Jennings, Adam, Alkhatib, Yousef
• Granted Patent: US 8,556,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• 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 2025/1045 for treating bifurcations, e.g. balloons in y-configuration, separate balloons or special features of the catheter for treating bifurcations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1088 having special surface characteristics depending on material properties or added substances, e.g. for reducing friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0158 with magnetic or electrical means, e.g. by using piezo materials, electroactive polymers, magnetic materials or by heating of shape memory materials
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1027 Making of balloon catheters

Abstract

A medical device having at least one static state, at least one activated state, and at least one active region including electroactive polymer (EAP) capable of fine electro-activated movements. The EAP movements include bending components for proper alignment, rotating components for proper fittings, making components more rigid or flexible, and increasing and decreasing the volume of components. The fine movements allow for highly versatile and adaptable medical devices.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a first guidewire housing member defining a first guidewire lumen sized to advance over a first guidewire, the first guidewire housing member having a longitudinal axis defined along a length of the first guidewire housing member; and

a second guidewire housing member defining a second guidewire lumen sized to advance over a second guidewire and being axially fixed relative to the first guidewire housing member, the second guidewire housing member having a distal end portion, the distal end portion including at least one activatable material configured to move the distal end portion between at least a first directional arrangement and a second directional arrangement upon application of a stimulus, the first directional arrangement providing a parallel arrangement of the second guidewire relative to the longitudinal axis, and the second directional arrangement providing an angled arrangement of the second guidewire relative to the longitudinal axis.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable material includes one or more electroactive polymer (EAP) material.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the second guidewire housing member is moveable to at least one intermediate directional arrangement between the first and second directional arrangements.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the second guidewire housing member includes at least two regions of EAP material.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least two regions of EAP material include first and second regions of EAP material positioned on opposite sides of the second guidewire housing member.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first EAP region contracts to move the second guidewire housing member from the first to the second directional arrangement, and the second EAP region expands to move the second guidewire housing member from the first to the second directional arrangement.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the first and second EAP regions are configured to move the second guidewire housing member in opposite directions.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein the EAP material in each region is configured to provide a different timing of movement upon application of a stimulus.

18. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least two regions of EAP material include first and second regions of EAP material positioned on opposite sides of the second guidewire housing member.

19. The device of claim 8, wherein the first and second EAP regions are configured to move the second guidewire housing member in opposite directions.

20. The device of claim 7, wherein the EAP material in each region is configured to provide a different timing of movement upon application of a stimulus.

9. A bifurcated vessel device, the bifurcated vessel including a main vessel and a branch vessel, the device comprising:

a main guidewire adapted for positioning in the main vessel;

a branch guidewire adapted for positioning in the branch vessel;

a main guidewire housing member defining a main guidewire lumen sized to advance over the main guidewire, the main guidewire housing member having a longitudinal axis defined along a length of the main guidewire housing member; and

a branch guidewire housing member defining a branch guidewire lumen sized to advance over the branch guidewire, the branch guidewire housing member including at least one activatable material configured to move at least a portion of the branch guidewire housing member between at least a first directional arrangement and a second directional arrangement, the first directional arrangement providing a parallel arrangement of the branch guidewire relative to the longitudinal axis, and the second directional arrangement providing an angled arrangement of the branch guidewire relative to the longitudinal axis.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the branch guidewire housing member is axially fixed relative to the main guidewire housing member.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the branch guidewire housing member has a length less than a length of the main guidewire housing member.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the main guidewire housing member has a distal end and the branch guidewire housing member has a distal end, and the distal end of the main guidewire housing member extends distally beyond the distal end of the branch guidewire housing member.

13. The device of claim 9, further comprising a shaft member having a distal end portion, wherein the main and branch guidewire housing members extend distally from the distal end portion of the shaft member.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the distal end portion of the branch guidewire housing member in the second directional arrangement includes an arcuate portion.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least one activatable material includes one or more electroactive polymer (EAP) material.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the branch guidewire housing member is moveable to at least one intermediate directional arrangement between the first and second directional arrangements.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the second guidewire housing member includes at least two regions of EAP material.