Vascular procedures is a broad field incorporating several areas e.g. vascular surgery and PTCA (Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty).
MICROMUSCLE EAP technology is well suited for the PTCA area as well as other vascular application areas involving e.g. guidewires and catheters in small vascular environments. The possibility to create moving structures and exert force enables new functionality for medical devices incorporating MICROMUSCLE technology.
Many of the functions performed using EAP cannot be accomplished with existing materials. New procedures and devices are thus possible with Micromuscle EAP technology, adding value to existing and upcoming medical devices.
Active components or coatings on devices
Conducting electroactive polymer can be applied on various devices used in PTCA and other vascular applications e.g. guidewires and stents to provide new functionality. The features of electroactive polymers can be used for enabling movement and force generation as well as electrical control of surface properties.
Guidewire before and after coating with electroactive polymer (black)
Muscle cells on electroactive polymer surface
Electrically controlled release of four substances
Moving structures in vessels
Electroactive polymers can be used for
creating small structures capable of complex and controlled movements. Inside blood vessels this can be used for controlling motion and positioning of a device from outside the body. As the film exhibits this can be used for manipulating objects or biological tissue e.g. blood.
EAP technology is well suited for the PTCA area as well as other vascular application areas involving e.g. guidewires and catheters in small vascular environments. The possibility to create moving structures and exert force enables new functionality for medical devices incorporating MICROMUSCLE
