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US 2004/0073251 A1Published application
Nanotube paper-based medical device
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorJan Weber
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A medical device is disclosed which may include the use of carbon nanotube paper. The medical device may be provided in the form of a balloon catheter wherein the nanotube paper is mounted about an electrode and into which an electrically conductive fluid is dispersed. An elastomeric sheath may then be provided about the nanotube paper. Actuation of the electrode may cause generation of microbubbles within the fluid and thereby cause the paper to expand.
Claims35
A medical device, comprising:
- an electrode;
- a membrane surrounding the electrode;
- a ring of nanotube paper surrounding the membrane;
- an electrolyte injected into the nanotube paper;
- and
- two conductors attached respectively to the electrode and the nanotube paper.
3 more elements
A method of deploying a balloon catheter, comprising:
- navigating a distal end of the balloon catheter to a procedure site, the distal end including a balloon having nanotube paper surrounding an electrode, electrically conductive fluid being with the nanotube paper, and an elastic sheath surrounding the nanotube paper;
- and
- energizing the electrode, the energization of the electrode generating microbubbles in the nanotube paper, the generation of bubbles causing the nanotube paper to expand.
A balloon catheter, comprising:
- a conduit having a distal end and a proximal end;
- and
- means for expansion disposed in the distal end of the conduit, the means for expansion being electrically actuated.
A medical device, comprising:
- a substantially rigid tube having a closed end and an open end;
- nanotube paper disposed in the substantially rigid tube at the closed end;
- electrically conductive fluid dispersed in the nanotube paper;
- an electrode coupled to the nanotube paper and electrically conductive fluid;
- and
- a deployable member disposed in the substantially rigid tube proximate the open end.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.