Electro-active Polymer technologies for medical applications
As Medical Devices become increasingly smaller, it is a greater challenge to design and develop interventional products that can provide surgeons with tools that can further improve outcomes.
Mechanical actuators such as push-pull wires that can drive steering, deployment mechanisms, and graspers are limited by the French size of the catheter systems. SPS EAP technology offers a novel solution to this problem, where distal actuation is electrically driven through micro wires embedded in the catheter walls. The use of EAP’s can provide catheter designers more real estate for a lower profile device.
Traditional mechanical actuators are also limited in their precision by hysteresis. The use of EAP’s can provide surgeons with a precise computer-controlled catheter.
Key SPS EAP Catheter Attributes:
- Precisely computer controlled
- No mechanical hysteresis
- Minimal profile for steering element
- 90 degree bi-planar articulation
- More flexibility in shaft designs
- Controlled into complex shapes
- High flow from larger lumens
- Do not require torquing
- Meets target bending and force requirements
- Lower force means soft device to tissue contact
For additional information, contact Chris Sullivan at (617) 396-4488 or csullivan@strategicpolymers.com