Manufacturing of Soft Actuator Devices for Intravascular Intervention

描述（由申请人提供）：电子激活聚合物（EAP）结构在几种医疗应用中具有巨大的潜力，包括植入式泵和致动器，人造肌肉，用于血管内干预的微型工具和软假肢。这种结构可以集成在非常低功耗的电子设备中，在受限和复杂的几何形状中提供精确的力和运动控制。这些设计使新的微创策略的发展，以治疗急性心血管疾病，动静脉畸形（AVM）和癌症。Giner公司将利用其制造和制造方法来大幅提高EAP的机械性能和可制造性，同时降低成本。该装置可以作为快速、可控力的执行器或作为精确测量力和位置的传感器。基于聚合物的机电换能器将被制造和演示，具有改进的电极结构，对大气暴露的耐受性和改进的仿生传感器和执行器的弯曲响应。研究设计需要实施专有的制造和加工方法和设备，以制备EAP结构，用于概念验证组件，用于急性缺血情况下的医疗工具取栓。本项目的重点是开发和演示一种用于血管内血栓切除术的有效的EAP设备，并在II期动物模型中进行测试。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Electronically Activated Polymer (EAP) structures hold great potential for use in several medical applications, including implantable pumps and actuators, artificial muscles, microtools for intravascular intervention and soft prosthetics. The structures can be incorporated in very low-power electronics, providing precise control of force and movement in constrained and complex geometries. These designs enable the development of new minimally invasive strategies to treat acute cardiovascular disease, arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and cancer. Giner, Inc. will leverage its fabrication and manufacturing methods to substantially improve EAP mechanical performance and manufacturability with reductions in cost. The devices can operate as actuators with rapid, controlled force or as sensors for precise measurement of force and position. Polymer-based electromechanical transducers will be fabricated and demonstrated with improved electrode structures, tolerance to atmospheric exposure and improved flex response for biomimetic sensors and actuators. The research design entails implementation of proprietary manufacturing and processing methods and equipment to prepare EAP structures for a proof-of-concept component for use in a medical tool for thrombectomy in cases of acute ischemia. This project focuses on the development and demonstration of an effective EAP device for intravascular thrombectomy to be tested in animal models in Phase II. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed research will develop manufacturing methods to make Electronically Activated Polymer (EAP) devices enabling the development of a tool for complete endovascular removal of blood clots without residual fragments released downstream or adherent material remaining on the vessel wall, as is often the case with current thrombectomy approaches. The proposed EAP will have increased force and displacement control over commercial devices presently in use. An ultrathin coating prevents biofouling, solvent loss and provides long flex cycle life.