Electroactive polymer-actuated peristaltic pump and medical lead incorporating such a pump

A system for conveying a fluid, the system comprising:

• a peristaltic pump comprising a flexible tube having an outer surface and a lumen for carrying the fluid, said tube having a length and opposed ends, the outer surface of the body carrying a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart electroactive polymer actuators;
• an electrical power supply;
• a plurality of switches coupling the electrical power supply with the plurality of electroactive polymer actuators;
• and
• a controller connected to said plurality of switches for activating said switches to energize said plurality of electroactive polymer actuators sequentially to move a lumen pinch-off along the length of the tube to thereby convey the fluid from one end of the tube to the other end;
• each of the plurality of electroactive polymer actuators encircles the outer surface of said tube;
• and wherein:
• each of the plurality of actuators comprises a split ring element mounted on the outer surface of the tube.