# US 2006/0235333 A1 · Electronically activated capture device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2006/0235333 A1 - Document ID: US20060235333A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/454,700 - Filed: 2006-06-16 - Published: 2006-10-19 - Earliest claimed: 2002-06-21 - Inventors: Lucien Couvillon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20060235333A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/221: Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets {for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions (surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056)} - F03G 7/0121: {Electroactive polymers} - F03G 7/025: {characterised by its use} - F03G 7/027: {Control or monitoring} - A61B 2017/00345: {Micromachines, nanomachines, microsystems} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/00871: {polymeric} - A61B 2017/22034: {for gripping the obstruction or the tissue part from inside} - A61B 2017/2212: {having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop} - A61M 2025/0058: {having an electroactive polymer material, e.g. for steering purposes, for control of flexibility, for locking, for opening or closing} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - F03G: SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (arrangements in connection with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60K16/00; electric propulsion with power supply in vehicles from force of nature B60L8/00) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A novel capture device apparatus comprising: (a) a capture device portion, at least a part of which is adaptable for insertion into a patient and (b) a control unit. The capture device portion comprises one or more apertures and one or more electroactive polymer actuators that open and close the one or more apertures based on control signals sent from the control unit. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of capturing a specimen within a patient's body of provided. The method comprises (a) providing a capture device apparatus like that above, (b) inserting at least a portion of the capture device portion of the apparatus into the patient such that the capture device portion is adjacent the specimen; and (c) closing the one or more apertures using the control unit, thereby capturing the specimen. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A capture device apparatus, comprising: (a) a capture device portion, at least a part of which is adaptable for insertion into a patient, said capture device portion comprising one or more apertures and one or more electroactive polymer actuators, wherein said one or more actuators open and close said one or more apertures based on received control signals; and (b) a control unit coupled to said one or more actuators and sending control signals to said one or more actuators. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electroactive polymer actuators comprise an electroactive polymer selected from the group consisting of polyaniline, polypyrrole, polysulfone and polyacetylene. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more electroactive polymer actuators comprise (a) an active member, (b) a counter-electrode and (c) a region comprising an electrolyte disposed between said active member and said counter-electrode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The capture device apparatus of claim 3, wherein said one or more electroactive polymer actuators further comprise a substrate layer and a barrier layer, and wherein the active member, the counter-electrode and the region comprising the electrolyte are disposed between the substrate layer and barrier layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The capture device apparatus of claim 3, further comprising conductive lines disposed on said substrate layer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said capture device portion further comprises one or more strain gauges. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more apertures within said device capture portion are mechanically biased toward an open position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more apertures within said device capture portion are mechanically biased toward a closed position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more apertures are closed upon contraction of said one or more actuators and opened upon expansion of said one or more actuators. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more apertures are opened upon contraction of said one or more actuators and closed upon expansion of said one or more actuators. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more apertures are opened upon expansion of a first set of said one or more actuators and contraction of a second set of said one or more actuators, and wherein said one or more apertures are closed upon contraction of said first set and expansion of said second set. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more apertures is lined by one or more blades. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum pump coupled to at least one of said one or more apertures. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises a power source and a switch. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises a computer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control unit is coupled to said one or more actuators via a wireless interface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The capture device apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control unit is coupled to said one or more actuators via an electrical cable. ### Claim 18 A method of capturing a specimen within a patient's body comprising: providing a capture device apparatus, said capture device apparatus comprising: (a) a capture device portion, at least a part of which is adaptable for insertion into a patient, said capture device portion comprising one or more apertures and one or more electroactive polymer actuators, wherein said one or more actuators open and close said one or more apertures based on received control signals; and (b) a control unit coupled to said one or more actuators and sending control signals to said one or more actuators; inserting at least a portion of said capture device portion into said patient such that said capture device portion is adjacent a specimen; and closing said one or more apertures using said control unit, thereby capturing said specimen. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein at least one aperture is lined by one or more blades, and wherein said specimen is removed using said blades. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein a vacuum is provided within said device capture portion to draw said specimen into said one or more apertures. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein said capture device portion is inserted into a body lumen. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein said body lumen is a body lumen within the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, vasculature or urinary tract. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein said specimen is a polyp. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein said polyp is a sessile polyp. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein said polyp is a pedunculated polyp. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein said specimen is a stone. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein said specimen is an embolus. ### Claim 28 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein said specimen is a biopsy specimen.