US6514237B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controllable intralumen medical device
Assignee: Cordis US Corp
•
Filing: 2000-11-06
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Granted: 2003-02-04
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Expires: 2020-11-06
Abstract
Abstract An intralumen medical device which incorporates electroactive polymer actuators into various sections of flexible medical probes results in a device capable of precisely navigating through tortuous passageways. Electroactive polymer actuators can be attached to or replace various sections of flexible medical probes and selectively activated via a controller to produce various coordinated movements or states of rigidity in the flexible medical probe.
Inventors
- 👤 Luis J. Maseda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0043; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B2017/00871; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/01; A61F2/013; A61M2025/0058; A61M25/0133
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A controllable intralumen medical device comprising: a flexible medical probe having one or more integral electroactive polymer actuators, the one or more integral electroactive polymer actuators are attached to the flexible medical probe at predetermined locations; and a control module coupled to the flexible medical probe for selectively controlling the one or more electroactive polymer actuators.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A controllable intralumen medical device comprising: a flexible medical probe having one or more integral electroactive polymer actuators, the one or more integral electroactive polymer actuators are attached to the flexible medical probe at predetermined locations; and a control module coupled to the flexible medical probe for selectively controlling the one or more electroactive polymer actuators.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The controllable intralumen medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible medical probe comprises a catheter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The controllable intralumen medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible medical probe comprises an endoscopic probe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The controllable intralumen medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more integral electroactive polymer actuators are electrically coupled to the control module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The controllable intralumen medical device according to claim 4 , wherein the one or more integral electroactive polymer actuators comprise ion-exchange polymer-noble metal composites.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for controlling the movement of an intralumen medical device, comprising: integrating one or more electroactive polymer actuators into the intralumen medical device at one or more predetermined locations; and selectively controlling the one or more electroactive polymer actuators to cause specific movements and states of rigidity in the intralumen medical device.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for controlling the movement of an intralumen medical device, comprising: integrating one or more electroactive polymer actuators into the intralumen medical device at one or more predetermined locations; and selectively controlling the one or more electroactive polymer actuators to cause specific movements and states of rigidity in the intralumen medical device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A controllable intralumen medical device comprising: a flexible medical probe having one or more integral electroactive polymer actuators, the one or more integral electroactive polymer actuators replace one or more predetermined sections of the flexible medical probe; and a control module coupled to the flexible medical probe for selectively controlling the one or more electroactive polymer actuators.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A controllable intralumen medical device comprising: a flexible medical probe having one or more integral electroactive polymer actuators, the one or more integral electroactive polymer actuators replace one or more predetermined sections of the flexible medical probe; and a control module coupled to the flexible medical probe for selectively controlling the one or more electroactive polymer actuators.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-03 | 2006-08-05 | 2007-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-03 | 2010-08-05 | 2011-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-03 | 2014-08-05 | 2015-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |