Conducting polymer based active catheter for minimally invasive interventions inside arteries

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Robotics

Background:

• Catheters are crucial for intravascular procedures.
• Existing catheters lack precise, active maneuverability.
• Need for advanced catheter designs for complex interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and model an active catheter for controllable intravascular maneuvers.
• To investigate the electro-chemo-mechanical properties of polypyrrole for catheter actuation.
• To optimize polypyrrole coating for desired bending performance.

Main Methods:

• Coating a commercial catheter with polypyrrole.
• Laser micromachining electrodes onto the catheter.
• Electrochemical activation of polypyrrole for bending.
• Theoretical modeling of electro-chemo-mechanical properties.
• Experimental validation of catheter bending.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of a polypyrrole-coated, electroded catheter.
• Demonstrated controllable bending of the catheter via electrochemical activation.
• Theoretical model accurately predicted optimal polypyrrole thickness for bending.
• Experimental bending results showed reasonable agreement with the theoretical model.
• Designed an encapsulated catheter for enhanced intravascular performance.

Conclusions:

• Polypyrrole actuation is a viable mechanism for active catheter development.
• The theoretical model provides a valuable tool for designing such devices.
• The developed active catheter shows potential for improved intravascular maneuverability and compatibility.