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US 8,133,249 B2Granted
Devices and methods for stricture dilation
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorsMark Ortiz, Jeffrey Swayze
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various methods and devices for dilating strictures in a lumen are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a stricture dilation device is provided having an elongate shaft with at least one electrically expandable actuator coupled thereto and adapted to radially expand to dilate a stricture in a lumen.
Claims25
A tissue dilation device, comprising:
- a substantially flexible elongate shaft having a proximal end coupled to a handle and a distal end adapted to be positioned within a stricture formed in a lumen;
- and
- an integrally formed electroactive polymer actuator disposed around a distal portion of the flexible elongate shaft and adapted to radially expand upon delivery of electrical energy thereto to directly contact and dilate the stricture.
A device for dilating a stricture in a lumen, comprising:
- a handle;
- a flexible elongate shaft extending from the handle;
- and
- an integrally formed electroactive polymer actuator disposed around a distal portion of the flexible elongate shaft and configured to radially expand when electrical energy is delivered thereto and to directly contact and dilate a stricture in a lumen.
1 more element
A method for dilating strictures, comprising:
- inserting a substantially flexible elongate shaft into a lumen;
- positioning an integrally formed electroactive polymer actuator disposed on a distal portion of the substantially flexible elongate shaft within a stricture formed in the lumen;
- and
- delivering energy to the electroactive polymer actuator to cause the electroactive polymer actuator to expand radially to directly contact and increase a diameter of the stricture.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.