The invention is a fluid metering device or pump that can deliver a pre-determined volume of fluid at a pre-determined pressure at a pre-determined rate of delivery. The device can be pre filled with the fluid during the manufacturing process or the device can be manufactured empty to be filled at a later time. The device can also meter multiple fluids in separate reservoirs at the same time and mix the fluids, if needed. The invention has particular utility as a device for metering drugs and will be described in connection with such utility, although other utilities are contemplated.
This invention also includes further modifications and improvements of US pending application 20040234401, now abandoned, PCT application US2004/005922, PCT application US05/045210 and PCT application US07/73188 which are herein included in this application in their entirety.
Controlled delivery of fluids, such as drugs, in the medical and veterinary fields is accomplished by a variety of methods. One method of controlled prolonged delivery of beneficial agents involves the use of osmotic delivery systems. These devices can be external devices or implanted to release beneficial agents in a controlled manner over a pre-selected time or administration period. In general, osmotic delivery systems operate by absorbing fluid from the outside environment and releasing corresponding amounts of the beneficial agent. These devices are somewhat limited in use and practicality due to inaccuracies or delays in the time it takes for the device to absorb a fluid and start expelling fluid flow out of the device. This delay is caused by air pockets or voids that remain and get compressed during the start of the pump process Delayed start-up of beneficial fluids delivery is a significant problem in osmotic delivery systems.
This problem is solved by using a flexible actuator material that can be compressed when pump is assembled, creating a preloaded pressure condition that negates any dead airspace compression issues, that can delay the time it takes to start expelling the beneficial fluids. Because the actuator is already under pressure it starts delivering fluids as soon as the fluids are released from any restrictions on the fluid tubing, as the material relaxes outwardly when released. This allows time for the actuator material to start absorbing the hydrating fluids.
Another problem with osmotic pumps is that osmotic pressure often is too low to deliver many of the new more viscous pharmaceutical agents and materials. Methods and materials are described that overcome the osmotic pressure issues with the introduction of protonated molecular repulsive forces, that occur upon hydration of the flexible actuator material and can produce pressures in excess 50 psi. easily delivering most fluids.
Another problem that is solved by a flexible actuator material is that the device can now be made itself of flexible materials as long as these materials are, less flexible, or stiffer than the actuator material, the more flexible a device is the more desirable it is for comfort of the patient, animal or package configuration.
The invention in broad aspect provides a device for metering fluids comprising a fluid chamber with one inlet or outlet port, at last one sidewall and a movable separator that is in contact with and separates the fluid in the chamber from the other components of the device. The device includes a porous actuator housing and wicking material, a flexible polymer actuator material in contact with the porous actuator housing and the moveable separator, an actuator hydrating solution reservoir with at least one sidewall, an inlet port, and in fluid contact with porous actuator housing, and a fluid gate located at some point between actuator hydrating solution reservoir and the polymer actuator, effectively keeping the polymer actuator dry. An external shell holds all components on that the polymer actuator can only move in a direction and apply pressure to the separator in contact with the fluid in the fluid chamber, thereby dispensing fluid from fluid chamber.
In one aspect of the invention the fluid chamber is removable.
In another aspect of the invention the fluid chamber is made of a plastic, metal, glass, ceramic carbon or combination of these materials.
In another aspect of the invention the fluid chamber inlet/outlet port is capped or sealed by a pierce able septum.
In another aspect of the invention the movable separator is a rubber plunger.
In another aspect of the invention the movable separator is an elastomeric membrane and also a part of or attached to the fluid chamber.
In another aspect of the invention the porous actuator housing is made from plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, carbon or combination of these materials.
In another aspect of the invention the polymer actuator material is removable.
In another aspect of the invention the polymer actuator material is hydrophilic, or is a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials.
In another aspect of the invention the polymer actuator material, fluid gate, porous actuator housing, actuator hydrating solution reservoir are enclosed together as a sealed unit with an elastic membrane in contact with actuator material, with a port covered by a pierce able septum that allows filling and venting of the actuator hydrating solution reservoir with actuator hydrating solution.
In another aspect of the invention the fluid gate stopping actuator hydrating solution from contacting actuator is removable by the following methods of piercing, dissolving, tearing, pushing or by pulling gate out of hydrating solution path to allow hydration of the polymer actuator.
In another aspect of the invention the fluid gate is a membrane that can be torn, pierced or dissolved.
In another aspect of the invention the fluid gate can be opened and closed like a valve.
In another aspect of the invention the fluid in the fluid chamber is a medicine or has therapeutic value.
In another aspect of the invention the fluid camber can be filled in the device.
In another aspect of the invention the fluid chamber septum is pierced and the fluid is released into tubing that is in contact with a person or patient via a needle or other method that allows metering of released fluid to desired contact point.
In another aspect of the invention the fluid chamber septum is pierced and the fluid is released into tubing that is in contact with an animal via a needle or other method that allows metering of released fluid to desired contact point.
In another aspect of the invention the actuator material has varying layers of density and porosity.
In another aspect of the invention the actuator material has reacted and unreacted molecular sites.
In another aspect of the invention the actuator material has varying degrees of reacted and unreacted molecular sites.
In another aspect of the invention the actuator materials ratio of reacted to unreacted molecular sites determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material.
In another aspect of the invention protonation of reactive molecular sites within the actuator material, by interaction with the actuator hydrating solution or chemical byproduct of that interaction, determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material.
In another aspect of the invention the actuator materials density or porosity determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material.
In another aspect of the invention the amount of surface area of the actuator surface in fluid contact with the actuator hydrating solution via the porous actuator housing wicking material determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material.
In another aspect of the invention the actuator hydrating solution pH or chemical makeup determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material.
In another aspect of the invention, the device is implantable into a person, patient or animal.
In another aspect of the invention, the device utilizes body fluids as the actuator hydrating solution and has an opening in the exterior shell that allows the uptake of fluids by the actuator material.
The invention also provides in an alternative a device for metering fluids comprising two or more separate fluid chambers with one inlet or outlet port, at least one sidewall and a movable separator that is in contact with and separates the fluid in the fluid chambers from the other components of the device. The device includes a porous actuator housing and wicking material, a flexible polymer actuator material in contact with the porous actuator housing and the moveable separators, an actuator hydrating solution reservoir with at least one sidewall, an inlet port, and in fluid contact with porous actuator housing, a fluid gate located between each actuator hydrating solution reservoir and the polymer actuator. An external shell holds all components so that the polymer actuator can only move in a direction and apply pressure to the separator in contact with the fluid in the fluid chamber, thereby dispensing fluid from fluid chambers.
In one aspect of the alternative device one or more of the fluid chambers are removable.
In another aspect of the alternative device one or more of the fluid chambers are made of a plastic, metal, glass, ceramic carbon or combination of these materials.
In another aspect of the alternative device one or more of the fluid chambers inlet/outlet ports are capped or sealed by a pierce able septum.
In another aspect of the alternative device the movable separator is a rubber plunger.
In another aspect of the alternative device the movable separator is an elastomeric membrane and also a part of the fluid chamber.
In another aspect of the alternative device the porous actuator housing is made from plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, carbon or combination of these materials.
In another aspect of the alternative device the polymer actuator material is removable
In another aspect of the alternative device the polymer actuator material is hydrophilic, or is a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials.
In another aspect of the alternative device the polymer actuator material, fluid gate, porous actuator housing, actuator hydrating solution reservoir are enclosed together as a sealed unit with an elastic membrane in contact with actuator material, with a port covered by a pierce able septum that allows filling and venting of the actuator hydrating solution reservoir with actuator hydrating solution.
In another aspect of the alternative device the fluid gate stopping actuator hydrating solution from contacting actuator is removable or broken by the following methods piercing, dissolving, tearing, pushing or by pulling gate out of hydrating solution path to allow hydration of the polymer actuator.
In another aspect of the alternative device the fluid gate is a membrane that can be torn, pierced or dissolved.
In another aspect of the alternative device the fluid gate can be opened and closed like a valve.
In another aspect of the alternative device the fluids in the fluid chambers are a medicine or have therapeutic value.
In another aspect of the alternative device the fluid chambers can be filled in the device.
In another aspect of the alternative device the fluid chamber septums are pierced and the fluid is released into tubing that is in contact with a person or patient via a needle or other method that allows metering of released fluid to desired contact point.
In another aspect of the alternative device the fluid chamber septum is pierced and the fluid is released into tubing that is in contact with an animal via a needle or other method that allows metering of released fluid to desired contact point.
In another aspect of the alternative device the actuator material is an epoxy.
In another aspect of the alternative device the actuator material has varying layers of density and porosity.
In another aspect of the alternative device the actuator material has reacted and unreacted molecular sites.
In another aspect of the alternative device the actuator material has varying degrees of reacted and unreacted molecular sites.
In another aspect of the alternative device the actuator materials ratio of reacted to unreacted molecular sites determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material.
In another aspect of the alternative device the actuator materials density or porosity determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material.
In another aspect of the alternative device the amount of surface area of the actuator surface in fluid contact with the actuator hydrating solution via the porous actuator housing wicking material determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material
In another aspect of the alternative device the actuator hydrating solutions pH or chemical makeup determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material.
In another aspect of the alternative device there are one or more different actuator materials providing different speeds and pressures for one or more fluid chambers.
In yet another aspect of the alternative embodiment, the device is implantable into a person, patient or animal.
In the latter embodiment, the device utilizes body fluids as the actuator hydrating solution and has an opening in the exterior shell that allows the uptake of body fluids by the actuator material.
In still yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a device for metering fluids comprising two or more separate fluid chambers with one or more inlet or outlet ports that are in fluid connection with a mixing chamber, and have at least one sidewall and a movable separator that is in contact with and separates the fluid in the fluid chambers from the other components of the device. The device includes a mixing chamber with one or more inlet port openings that are in fluid contact with the fluid chambers, and an exit port opening, that is in fluid contact with tubing or fluid channel or method to transport mixed fluids to desired delivery site. A porous actuator housing and wicking material, a flexible polymer actuator material in contact with the porous actuator housing and the moveable separators, an actuator hydrating solution reservoir with at least one sidewall, an inlet port, and in fluid contact with porous actuator housing, a fluid gate located between each actuator hydrating solution reservoir and the polymer actuator. An external shell holds all components so that the polymer actuator can only move in a direction and apply pressure to the separator in contact with the fluid in the fluid chamber, thereby dispensing fluid from fluid chambers.
In the still yet another embodiment one or more of the fluid chambers are made of a plastic, metal, glass, ceramic carbon or combination of these materials.
In the still yet another embodiment one or more of the fluid chambers inlet/outlet ports are capped or sealed by a pierce able septum.
In the still yet another embodiment the movable separator is a rubber plunger.
In the still yet another embodiment the movable separator is an elastomeric membrane and also a part of the fluid chamber.
In the still yet another embodiment the porous actuator housing is made from plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, carbon or combination of these materials.
In the still yet another embodiment the polymer actuator material is removable
In the still yet another embodiment the polymer actuator material is hydrophilic or is a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials.
In the still yet another embodiment the polymer actuator material, fluid gate, porous actuator housing, actuator hydrating solution reservoir are enclosed together as a sealed unit with an elastic membrane in contact with actuator material, with a port covered by a pierce able septum that allows filling and venting of the actuator hydrating solution reservoir with actuator hydrating solution.
In the still yet another embodiment the fluid gate stopping actuator hydrating solution from contacting actuator is removable or broken by the following methods piercing, dissolving, tearing, pushing or by pulling gate out of hydrating solution path to allow hydration of the polymer actuator.
In the still yet another embodiment the fluid gate is a membrane that can be torn, pierced or dissolved.
In the still yet another embodiment the fluid gate can be opened and closed like a valve.
In the still yet another embodiment the fluids in the fluid chambers are a medicine or have therapeutic value.
In the still yet another embodiment the fluid cambers can be filled in the device.
In the still yet another embodiment the mixing chamber exit port is capped or sealed by a septum, septum is pierced and the fluid is released into tubing that is in contact with a person or patient via a needle or other method that allows metering of released fluid to desired contact point.
In the still yet another embodiment the mixing chamber exit port is capped or sealed by a septum, septum is pierced and the fluid is released into tubing that is in contact with an animal via a needle or other method that allows metering of released fluid to desired contact point.
In the still yet another embodiment the actuator material is an epoxy.
In the still yet another embodiment the actuator material has varying layers of density and porosity.
In the still yet another embodiment the actuator material has reacted and un-reacted molecular sites.
In the still yet another embodiment the actuator material has varying degrees of reacted and un-reacted molecular sites.
In the still yet another embodiment the actuator materials ratio of reacted to un-reacted molecular sites determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material.
In the still yet another embodiment the actuator materials density or porosity determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material.
In the still yet another embodiment the amount of surface area of the actuator surface in fluid contact with the actuator hydrating solution via the porous actuator housing wicking material determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material
In the still yet another embodiment the actuator hydrating solutions pH or chemical makeup determines the speed and pressure generation of the actuator material.
In the still yet another embodiment there are one or more different actuator materials providing different speeds and pressures for one or more fluid chambers.
In yet another embodiment, the device is implantable into a person, patient or animal.
In the latter embodiment, the device utilizes body fluids as the actuator hydrating solution and has an opening in the exterior shell that allows the uptake of body fluids by the actuator material.
In yet another embodiment of the invention a two part insulin is mixed together at the prescribed ratio and metered after mixing to a patient via subcutaneous delivery.
In still yet another embodiment of the invention multiple types of medication, gene therapies, proteins etc. are metered to a patient via the best route to deliver the particular medications at the desired site on or in the patient.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will be seen from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein
Referring to the drawings, the present invention in one aspect comprises a chamber made in two parts that are assembled together with one or more inlet or outlet ports or openings (7) having tubing (7A) extended therethrough that are in fluid or gaseous connection with a mixing chamber 30. The displacement of the volume in the chamber is accomplished by using one or more but not limited to, polymers, co polymers, block polymers, hydro gels or epoxy materials that are hydrophilic and used as actuator material (1). For ease of illustration,
One part of the ph responsive metering device or pump has one or more polymer actuator materials housed within or on a porous media substrate (2) that is less flexible than the actuator material. The second part of the chamber is a hollow shell, cavity or cylinder (3) made from material that is also less flexible than the actuator material. These fluid chamber materials can be made of but not limited to plastics, elastomeric material, glass, ceramics, metals and combinations of these. These are then housed in an external shell (8) for the form factor. All of the materials are standard in the relevant industry the device is used in and the performance requirements of the fluid or gaseous metering device or pump and are well known to experts in each field of use.
In one preferred embodiment, a flexible patch for liquid drug delivery, all of the parts are assembled by lamination techniques well know in the plastics industry, such as but not limited to glue, heat, pressure, UV irradiation, RF, or sonic welding. In the case of a cylinder or tube a. movable but fluid sealing plunger or piston (18) may be used. An example of this is a pre-filled medication vial or syringe such as but not limited to, the 3 ml glass vials or syringes used for insulin with an exit port covered by, capped or sealed by a septum shown at (20) at the chamber outlet end and rubber stopper that is pushed to dispense the fluid at the opposite end, which is open. The moveable rubber plunger or stopper keeps a sterile fluid seal but can be pushed to displace or dispense the medication once the septum is pierced and the medication is in fluid connection with a tube or needle that is able to inject medication into the patient. In both examples the fluid being metered or pumped is separate from the fluid used to hydrate the actuation material. The porous media is a ridged or semi ridged substrate or housing for the actuator material, it is also a fluid conduit to hydrate the actuator material. The porous material can be molded, extruded or stamped to allow geometric flexibility of the con figuration that makes up the complete device.
For example a medical device that uses industry standard medication vials such as but not limited to the 3 ml glass insulin vials or syringes, is typically referred to as an insulin syringe pump. These pumps are electronically controlled and driven by electric motors that turn very precise screw mechanisms in increments to push the syringe stopper and deliver small incremental doses of the insulin over a pre programmed time and rate.
The ph responsive pump uses the migration of the desired ph chemical solution through the polymer matrix and the resulting expansion or contraction as the mechanism to push the syringe stopper. As the polymer matrix expands or contracts it produces continuous pressure thereby offering continuous delivery rates. The speed of this reaction can be increased or decreased several ways.
By increasing the porosity of the polymer the speed increases or by decreasing the porosity of the polymer the actuation speed is decreased. The actuator material porosity can be adjusted by changing ratios of materials, adding catalysts or other materials that can be washed out with a solvent after the polymerization process, many methods are used dependent on the materials being used to make the actuator material and are well known within the polymer industry.
By increasing available external surface area of the actuator material the speed increases, the reverse is also true if you decrease available surface area, one way this is accomplished by stacking or assembling actuators together. For example a bundle of round strands (28) of actuator material provides a large amount of external surface area for rapid fluid migration, yet still provides good pushing force as it expands. Another actuator configuration to increase surface area is a hollow tube (9), as the actuator expands it is omni-directional and the center of a tube of the material allows a conduit for rapid uptake of fluid until it closes from the expansion.
In another preferred actuator or device configuration a fluid wicking material (10) that can be ridged, flexible or elastomeric is used. The wicking material adds a uniform fluid conduit or channel internally, through, along, in between or externally around the actuator material. The wicking material can be a hydrophobic or hydrophilic material that is compatible to the chemical fluid hydrating the actuator material. By inserting a wicking material either into or around the porous actuator material (not shown for the sake of simplifying the drawings) it provides a uniform hydration method that provides continuous pressure at the desired speed of expansion or contraction which results in a linear rate of fluid or gas displacement from the pump chamber. This solves the problem of increasing or decreasing pump or metering rate curves that develop as the actuator material expands or contracts and ratio of actuator surface area or exposed footprint to the actuator hydration fluid changes.
Yet another preferred actuation material configuration is a foamed actuator material this allows fast uptake of fluids, like a sponge, which results in faster actuation cycles or times. The increased surface area can also increases reaction surface area of the material, for example by incorporating primary, secondary or combinations of amines or other functional molecular groups in a polymer or actuator material, results in enhanced performance characteristics as the amines react to the ph of the hydrating solution in conjunction with the hydration effects of the actuator material.
The foaming can be accomplished by but not limited to the use of catalysts, emulsifiers, foaming agents, colloidal suspensions, heating, peroxides even whipping air into the liquid materials during polymerization can produce foamed actuation material. Oxidizing materials incorporated to add desired performance characteristics to the actuator materials can also result in foaming, these techniques are well known in the chemical and polymer industry.
Another preferred actuator material configuration is graduated porosity of the material. This actuator material can be made in one piece or by stacking layers of materials of different porosities and compositions together. One way of producing a one piece material is by adding layers of different porosity liquid actuator material into a mold, while still liquid each layer will mix slightly with the layer already in the mold and then the material can be polymerized or cured to produce the actuator material. Another way to produce the graduated porosity material is to pour each layer one at a time in the same mold, polymerize or cure it, then add the next liquid material layer and polymerize or cure it and continue adding layers until finished.
In another preferred embodiment the actuator material is kept dry and attached to the porous material or housed in it. The actuator hydrating solution is stored or kept separate from the actuator material by a thin film that is burst, pierced or dissolved when the device is started. The fluid is absorbed by or flows through the porous material and starts hydrating the actuator material starting the pumping or dispensing action. The embodiment also envisions having dissolving or time release capsules that can change the ph of the solution over time as the dissolve in the actuator hydrating solution, for example polymer actuators that have amines incorporated turn the hydrating solution to a basic ph of 9 or 10 over time, a slowly dissolving acidic chemical would extend and get the maximum time and pressure needed by the device because the amines react to the degree of the acid in the solution, these are all ways to control or engineer the performance of the device for a specific application.
Multiple actuators are another embodiment of the devices. The actuators are positioned in line or sequence. Sealed sections hold the actuator material and keep the actuator hydrating solution from each of the next in line or sequenced actuators. The pressure generated over time by the actuator material is used to open the next seal via puncture, bursting or physically opening a valve to allow fluid into the next section and to the actuator material and a progression of the actuators and actuator fluid can be controlled this way to engineer the performance of the devices for applications.
Preferred embodiments of the complete devices include a disposable one time liquid drug delivery patch that can be flexible and use disease, industry or manufacturers specific delivery routes or skin barrier technology to delivery the liquid drug through the patients skin and into the patient, for example a subcutaneous injection or infusion via needle and tubing another method is micro needle array, yet another is ionophoresis.
Another device embodiment is a one use cartridge that dispenses an industry or manufacturer's specific pre loaded liquid drug container and uses disease, industry or manufacturer's specific delivery routes to the patient, for example Insulin for diabetes can be delivered via a subcutaneous injection or infusion via needle and tubing in fluid connection to the drug container. By using a preloaded 3 ml vial of insulin the device can deliver a continuous pre determined rate of insulin to the patient, this is accomplished by the expansion characteristics of the actuator material that is used in the device to displace the insulin in the preloaded insulin vial.
Other device embodiments can also deliver bolus doses to the patient by have a predetermined bolus dose volume chamber in fluid connection with the delivery route and incorporating one way valves. A flexible membrane or covering that will deflect back to original shape once pressed is attached to one side or part of the bolus dose chamber and is physically pressed by the patient to dispense the bolus volume when needed. The one way valves allow the fluid to only travel in only one direction, towards the patient, to empty the bolus chamber and then the negative pressure in the dispensed chamber draws more fluid in from the fluid container over a predetermined time to refill bolus chamber for next bolus dose. Patient administered bolus doses are needed in many therapeutic protocols, pain and diabetes are examples of this need.
Other devices are envisioned that can use multiple liquid drug containers at the same time and mix the liquids prior to delivery or deliver separate liquids at different rates and pressures to the patient either directly as described above, or indirectly such as dispensing into an IV line or bag that will be or is attached to the patient and is delivering larger volumes of liquid drugs, hydrating or nutritional fluids. Chemotherapy, 2 part insulin, and antibiotics are all therapies that need this ability.
There are also many non medical uses for these devices such as pumping, mixing or dispensing chemicals over an extended period of time at predetermined rates. Mixing and dispensing 2 and 3 part epoxies at predetermined rates etc. The use of metering of gasses and gaseous flows can also be accomplished and is envisioned by the described inventions. The ability to engineer a device that produces a predetermined pressure at a predetermined rate over a predetermined time is very advantageous as many chemicals, glues, epoxies etc. are different viscosities so require the ability to be pumped or delivered at different pressures and rates.
The described inventions and components allow fluids and gaseous materials to be metered, pumped or dispensed in a low cost yet very accurate manner over extended time frames and pressures if needed. Multiple forms of the invention are described and are not meant to limit the scope of the inventions in any manner, shape, form factor or use.
The specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated herein should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, as understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Numerous variations are possible without falling outside the scope of the appended claims. The subject matter of the invention includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein.
This application claims priority from PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US08/85421 filed Dec. 3, 2008, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/992,003, filed Dec. 3, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2008/085421 | 12/3/2008 | WO | 00 | 6/2/2010 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2009/073734 | 6/11/2009 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3029743 | Johns | Apr 1962 | A |
3922328 | Johnson | Nov 1975 | A |
4034380 | Isayama | Jul 1977 | A |
4111202 | Theeuwes | Sep 1978 | A |
4190411 | Fujimoto | Feb 1980 | A |
4203440 | Theeuwes | May 1980 | A |
4299220 | Dorman | Nov 1981 | A |
4327725 | Cortese et al. | May 1982 | A |
4395719 | Majewski et al. | Jul 1983 | A |
4423166 | Moriarty et al. | Dec 1983 | A |
4432699 | Beckman et al. | Feb 1984 | A |
4449893 | Beckman | May 1984 | A |
4449983 | Cortese et al. | May 1984 | A |
4507363 | Chow et al. | Mar 1985 | A |
4538607 | Saul | Sep 1985 | A |
4551139 | Plaas et al. | Nov 1985 | A |
4559038 | Berg et al. | Dec 1985 | A |
4595583 | Eckenhoff et al. | Jun 1986 | A |
4624847 | Ayer et al. | Nov 1986 | A |
4624848 | Lee | Nov 1986 | A |
4650469 | Berg et al. | Mar 1987 | A |
4655767 | Woodard et al. | Apr 1987 | A |
4663149 | Eckenhoff et al. | May 1987 | A |
4675174 | Eckenhoff | Jun 1987 | A |
4723958 | Pope et al. | Feb 1988 | A |
4772474 | Eckenhoff et al. | Sep 1988 | A |
4781714 | Eckenhoff et al. | Nov 1988 | A |
4808084 | Tsubouchi et al. | Feb 1989 | A |
4810535 | McCollum et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
4842493 | Nilsson | Jun 1989 | A |
4863456 | Stephens et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
4948592 | Ayer et al. | Aug 1990 | A |
4963141 | Eckenhoff | Oct 1990 | A |
5000957 | Eckenhoff et al. | Mar 1991 | A |
5034229 | Magruder et al. | Jul 1991 | A |
5037420 | Magruder et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5059423 | Magruder et al. | Oct 1991 | A |
5061242 | Sampson | Oct 1991 | A |
5070560 | Wilkinson | Dec 1991 | A |
5100933 | Tanaka et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5105983 | Sancoff et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5110596 | Magruder et al. | May 1992 | A |
5175246 | Smith | Dec 1992 | A |
5192197 | Culp | Mar 1993 | A |
5232702 | Pfister et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
5246705 | Venkatraman et al. | Sep 1993 | A |
5275853 | Silvis | Jan 1994 | A |
5279544 | Gross et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5279565 | Klein et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5284133 | Burns et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
5300299 | Sweet et al. | Apr 1994 | A |
5304121 | Sahatjian | Apr 1994 | A |
5327041 | Culp | Jul 1994 | A |
5328696 | Noel | Jul 1994 | A |
5336057 | Fukuda et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5348746 | Dong et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
5354264 | Bae et al. | Oct 1994 | A |
5376378 | Li et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
5380760 | Wendel et al. | Jan 1995 | A |
5412821 | Wilkinson | May 1995 | A |
5429585 | Liang | Jul 1995 | A |
5431921 | Thombre | Jul 1995 | A |
5474783 | Miranda et al. | Dec 1995 | A |
5498255 | Wong | Mar 1996 | A |
5520643 | Ensminger et al. | May 1996 | A |
5546932 | Galli | Aug 1996 | A |
5573668 | Grosh et al. | Nov 1996 | A |
5587237 | Korpman et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
RE35474 | Woodard et al. | Mar 1997 | E |
5618899 | Appelt et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5622482 | Lee | Apr 1997 | A |
5630709 | Bar-Cohen | May 1997 | A |
5633009 | Kenealy et al. | May 1997 | A |
5645855 | Lorenz | Jul 1997 | A |
5656286 | Miranda et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5674192 | Sahatjian et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5687748 | Conrad et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5692256 | Kramer et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5714160 | Magruder et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5718700 | Edgren et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5779668 | Grabenkort | Jul 1998 | A |
5798600 | Sager et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5810001 | Genga et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5823178 | Lloyd et al. | Oct 1998 | A |
5891463 | Bello et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5916968 | Hariharan et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5939477 | Pretzer et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5951999 | Therriault et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5954706 | Sahatjian | Sep 1999 | A |
5955549 | Chang | Sep 1999 | A |
5961298 | Bar-Cohen et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5979892 | Smith | Nov 1999 | A |
5997501 | Gross et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6004115 | da Costa | Dec 1999 | A |
6010485 | Buch-Rasmussen et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6024976 | Miranda et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6066325 | Wallace et al. | May 2000 | A |
RE36754 | Noel | Jun 2000 | E |
6074178 | Bishop et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6074179 | Jokela et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6106245 | Cabuz | Aug 2000 | A |
6109852 | Shahinpoor et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6143138 | Becker | Nov 2000 | A |
6152898 | Olsen | Nov 2000 | A |
6157113 | Hunter et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6165155 | Jacobsen et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6174546 | Therriault et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6180133 | Quan et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6183434 | Eppstein | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6184608 | Cabuz et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6193996 | Effing et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6206850 | O'Neil | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6210712 | Edgren et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6213739 | Phallen et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6221383 | Miranda et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6223369 | Maier et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6249076 | Madden et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6277401 | Bello et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6312715 | Cantor et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6316022 | Mantelle et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6319245 | Berrigan | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6336907 | Dono et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6337086 | Kanios et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6352715 | Hwang et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6365178 | Venkateshwaran et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6365185 | Ritschel et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6368318 | Visuri et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6378292 | Youngner | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6387077 | Klibanov et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6392777 | Elliott et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6409716 | Sahatjian et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6450773 | Upton | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6461644 | Jackson et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6464476 | Ross et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
6471686 | Berrigan | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6475639 | Shahinpoor et al. | Nov 2002 | B2 |
6490483 | Willis | Dec 2002 | B2 |
6531152 | Lerner et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6537194 | Winkler | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6578245 | Chatterjee et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6586512 | Dukes | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6632522 | Hyde et al. | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6664718 | Pelrine et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6682318 | Takeuchi et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6682500 | Soltanpour | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6685442 | Chinn et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6726678 | Nelson | Apr 2004 | B1 |
6766817 | da Silva | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6791003 | Choi et al. | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6796970 | Klitmose et al. | Sep 2004 | B1 |
6809462 | Pelrine et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6864295 | Mitarai | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6869275 | Dante et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6876135 | Pelrine et al. | Apr 2005 | B2 |
6902704 | Wilson | Jun 2005 | B2 |
6940211 | Pelrine et al. | Sep 2005 | B2 |
6948636 | Fischer et al. | Sep 2005 | B1 |
6949079 | Westberg et al. | Sep 2005 | B1 |
6955923 | Hartting | Oct 2005 | B2 |
6960864 | Urano et al. | Nov 2005 | B2 |
7285255 | Kadlec et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7411792 | Richards et al. | Aug 2008 | B2 |
7453187 | Richards et al. | Nov 2008 | B2 |
7458956 | Adams | Dec 2008 | B1 |
7544260 | Banister et al. | Jun 2009 | B2 |
7553903 | Riegel et al. | Jun 2009 | B2 |
7700129 | Ito et al. | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7820427 | Unger et al. | Oct 2010 | B2 |
8190270 | Wingeier et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
20010053383 | Miranda et al. | Dec 2001 | A1 |
20020001571 | Wu | Jan 2002 | A1 |
20020004064 | Quan et al. | Jan 2002 | A1 |
20020007014 | Hyde et al. | Jan 2002 | A1 |
20020010412 | Eppstein | Jan 2002 | A1 |
20020015733 | Flashner-Barak et al. | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020043895 | Richards et al. | Apr 2002 | A1 |
20020106402 | Hartwig | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020115740 | Beuhler et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020128572 | Chang | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020128618 | Frenz et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020147208 | Fleshner-Barak et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020156463 | Berrigan | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020173745 | Santini et al. | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20020183738 | Chee et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20020193754 | Cho | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030014036 | Varner et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030051292 | Ferrand et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030054025 | Cantor et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030065303 | Wellman et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030069359 | Torii et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030072792 | Flanigan et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030108590 | Peery et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030124189 | Zentner et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030135158 | Gonnelli | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030139495 | Zentner et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030143257 | Fleshner-Barak et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030152616 | Hartwig | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030153900 | Aceti et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030156953 | Chinn et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030163099 | Wermeling et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
20030216683 | Shekalim | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030232198 | Lamberti et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040030262 | Fisher et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040068224 | Couvillon et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040092865 | Flaherty et al. | May 2004 | A1 |
20040102762 | Gilbert | May 2004 | A1 |
20040106893 | Hunter | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040106894 | Hunter | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040112442 | Maerkl et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040133159 | Haider et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040138603 | Cleary et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040142023 | Hartwig | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040149288 | Koch | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040176502 | Raymond et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040176748 | Abramson et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040186419 | Cho | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040202708 | Roehrig et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040204677 | Wellman et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040219194 | Finckh et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040220548 | Heruth et al. | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040234401 | Banister | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040242709 | Oguro et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040265545 | McKean et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050033230 | Alchas et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050043657 | Couvillon | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050058695 | Anigbogu et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050137577 | Heruth et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050137578 | Heruth et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050137579 | Heruth et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050261631 | Clarke et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050273081 | Olsen | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050273082 | Olsen | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050287214 | Ayer et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060021614 | Wermeling et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060076540 | Zama et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060078603 | Nguyen | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060078604 | Kanios et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060084942 | Kim et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060089619 | Ginggen | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060094985 | Aceti et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060094989 | Scott et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060110596 | Palasz et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060135911 | Mittur | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060142478 | Luo | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060142875 | Keyes et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060146475 | Zhong et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060183216 | Handique et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060188558 | Jackson et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060195057 | Kriesel et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060200083 | Freyman et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060204532 | John | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060213674 | Dierker, Jr. et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060276744 | Falk | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070021697 | Ginther et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070031495 | Eppstein et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070052139 | Gilbert | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070078376 | Smith | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070082038 | Gale et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070088267 | Shekalim | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070092570 | Missel et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070098771 | Audett et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070098772 | Westcott et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070100355 | Bonde et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070104771 | Audett et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070134310 | Nedberge et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070148218 | Gordon | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070190150 | Ito et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070224253 | Franklin | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070260201 | Prausnitz et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070269522 | Wold | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070293826 | Wall et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080004421 | Chenault | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080009800 | Nickel | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080015494 | Santini, Jr. et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080033228 | Rastegar et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080039791 | Abboud et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080058706 | Zhang et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080063698 | Hartwig | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080091139 | Srinivasan et al. | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080110463 | Hajgato et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080125744 | Treacy | May 2008 | A1 |
20080152592 | Rebec | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080167641 | Hansen et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080183144 | Trautman et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080195018 | Larson et al. | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080208107 | McRae et al. | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080214987 | Xu | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080221552 | Leonard | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080234656 | Pettis et al. | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20080312610 | Binks et al. | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20080317615 | Banister | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090007904 | Schuster et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090020521 | Blaszczykiewicz et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090026069 | Liao et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090041833 | Bettinger et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090042970 | Herschkowitz et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090048555 | Stryker et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090060986 | Yum et al. | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090085444 | Alvarez Icaza Rivera et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090099545 | Nilsson et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090118662 | Schnall | May 2009 | A1 |
20090221971 | Mejlhede et al. | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20090227988 | Wood, Jr. et al. | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20090232685 | Kamitani et al. | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20090317442 | Banister et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20100004638 | Gibson | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100074953 | Chaouk et al. | Mar 2010 | A1 |
20110172645 | Moga et al. | Jul 2011 | A1 |
20130172180 | Naumann | Jul 2013 | A1 |
20130337566 | Schmidt | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20140048558 | Lee | Feb 2014 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2 477 181 | Apr 2004 | CA |
1080829 | Mar 2002 | CN |
1934776 | Mar 2007 | CN |
199 12 606 | Dec 2000 | DE |
0 723 982 | Jul 1996 | EP |
0 736 556 | Oct 1996 | EP |
0882890 | Dec 1998 | EP |
1 454 935 | Sep 2004 | EP |
58-25326 | Feb 1983 | JP |
60-235847 | Nov 1985 | JP |
02-004826 | Jan 1990 | JP |
02 137 930 | May 1990 | JP |
08-283540 | Oct 1996 | JP |
09 287 571 | Nov 1997 | JP |
2004-514770 | May 2004 | JP |
2004-261045 | Sep 2004 | JP |
2004-269882 | Sep 2004 | JP |
2005269773 | Sep 2005 | JP |
2006353034 | Dec 2006 | JP |
2008211915 | Sep 2008 | JP |
2009046649 | Mar 2009 | JP |
WO 9617170 | Jun 1996 | WO |
WO 9620971 | Jul 1996 | WO |
WO 9742412 | Nov 1997 | WO |
WO 0028215 | May 2000 | WO |
WO 0244240 | Jun 2002 | WO |
WO 2004031581 | Apr 2004 | WO |
WO 2004076859 | Sep 2004 | WO |
WO 2005061014 | Jul 2005 | WO |
WO 2005118008 | Dec 2005 | WO |
WO 2006065884 | Jun 2006 | WO |
WO2006065884 | Jun 2006 | WO |
WO 2006065884 | Jun 2006 | WO |
WO 2008079440 | Jul 2008 | WO |
WO2008129549 | Oct 2008 | WO |
WO 2009069086 | Jun 2009 | WO |
WO2011032011 | Mar 2011 | WO |
Entry |
---|
PCT International Search Report and International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Oct. 22, 2004, PCT/US04/005922. |
Yoshioka, Yuka and Calbert, Paul, “Epoxy-Based Electroactive Polymer Gels”, Experimental Mechanics, Dec. 2002, vol. 45, No. 5. |
PCT International Search Report and International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Oct. 25, 2006, PCT/US05/45210. |
PCT International Search Report and International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Jul. 7, 2008, PCT/US07/73188. |
PCT International Search Report and International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Feb. 19, 2009, PCT/US08/85421. |
Indian Examination Report; Indian Patent Application Serial No. 2371/CHENP/2005, dated Sep. 7, 2006. |
Official Action, U.S. Appl. No. 11/721,800, dated Aug. 27, 2010. |
Unsolicited letter from Dr. Elson Silva, dated Oct. 21, 2010 (5 pages). |
“An Electrochemical Microactuator: Principle and First Results”, Neagu et al. Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, vol. 5, No. 1, Mar. 1996 (7 pgs). |
“ElectroActive Polymers—EAPs,” downloaded from http://www.azom.com on Dec. 16, 2013 (5 pgs). |
“Epoxy-Based Electroactive Polymer Gels”, Yoshioka Y and Calvert P, Experimental Mechanics, vol. 42, No. 4, Dec. 2002, pp. 404-408 (5 pgs). |
“Magnetic Driven Compression Cascade and Packaging”, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, IBM Corp., col. 38, co. 1, Jan. 1995 (3 pgs). |
“Micro-Dispensing Positive Displacement Pump”, Anonymous, Research Disclosure, Mason Publications, Hampshire GB, vol. 374, No. 4, Jun. 1995 (9 pgs). |
“Structure and Mechanism of Two Types of Micro-Pump Using Polymer Gel”, Hattori et al., Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, 1992, MEMS 92, Proceedings. An Investigation of Micro Structures, Sensors, Actuators, Machines and Robot, IEEE Travemunde, Germany, Feb. 1992 (6 pgs). |
Bar-Cohen, Y., “Electroactive polymers (EAP) actuators as artificial muscles: reality, potential and challenges,” SPIE Press, 2001, 671 pgs, (book description only, 4 pgs). |
Canadian Official Action issued in Appln. No. 2,557,325, dated Feb. 8, 2011 (5 pgs). |
Chinese Notification of ReExamination and English translation, Appln. or Pat. No. 200580048306.3; dated Aug. 22, 2014 (11 pgs). |
Chinese Office Action (w/English translation) issued in corresponding application No. 200780032137.3, dated Mar. 12, 2013 (14 pgs). |
Chinese Office Action and Translation dated Jul. 6, 2011 issued in Chinese Patent Appln. No. 200780032137.3 (7 pgs). |
Chinese Office Action issued Jul. 1, 2014 with English translation, Appln. No. or Patent No. 201180007957.3 (17 pgs). |
Chinese Office Action, Application/Patent No. 200780032137.3, dated Dec. 23, 2011 (6 pgs). |
Chinese Official Action + translation dated Feb. 1, 2011 issued in Appln. No. 200780032137.3, (8 pgs). |
Chinese Official Action dated Mar. 17, 2011, Appln. No. 200580048306.3 (5 pgs). |
Chinese Official Action issued in corresponding Chinese Patent Appln. Serial No. 200580048306.3 dated Nov. 4, 2011 (5 pgs). |
European Office Action dated Sep. 14, 2010, Appln. No. 07 872 242.8 -2102, (6 pgs). |
European Official Action issued in Appln. No. 04714231.0, dated May 11, 2011 (2 pgs). |
European Official Action issued in Appln. No. 04714231.0-2315/1611353, dated Oct. 4, 2010 (4 pgs). |
European Official Action, Apr. 6, 2011 issued in Appln. No. 07 872 242.8-2102 (4 pages). |
European Official Action, Aug. 29, 2011 issued in Appln. No. 07 872 242.8-2102 (6 pages). |
European Search Report dated Feb. 18, 2011 issued in corresponding Appln. No. 10014840.2-2315 (7 pgs). |
European Search Report dated Jun. 8, 2009, Serial No. 07872242.8-2102 (7 pgs). |
First Examination Report dated Dec. 31, 2013, Indian Patent a plication No. 3011/CHENP/2007 (2 pgs). |
Indian Examination Report; Indian Patent Application Serial No. 2371/CHENP/2005, dated Sep. 7, 2006 (2 pgs). |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in PCT/US10/48489 dated Mar. 13, 2012 (12 pgs). |
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in corresponding PCT Patent Appln. Serial No. PCT/US2012/057129 dated Apr. 1, 2014 ( 7 pgs). |
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Search Authority issued in PCT/US09/34557, dated Apr. 13, 2009 (6 pgs). |
Japanese Office Action with translation, Patent Appln. 2009-519642, dated Jul. 9, 2012 (9 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 10/786,718, dated Mar. 5, 2008 (41 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 10/786,718, dated Sep. 16, 2008 (8 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 10/786,718, dated Jan. 2, 2009 (9 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 10/786,718, dated Jul. 1, 2009 (7 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 10/786,718, dated Dec. 28, 2009 (6 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 10/786,718, dated May 5, 2010 (7 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 10/786,718, dated Sep. 15, 2010 (8 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 10/786,718, dated Nov. 23, 2010 (10 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 11/254,537, dated Sep. 17, 2007 (8 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 11/254,537, dated Mar. 4, 2008 (8 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 11/254,537, dated Jul. 21, 2008 (10 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 11/254,537, dated Dec. 15, 2008 (8 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/373,245, dated Feb. 2, 2011 (13 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/373,245, dated Jul. 22, 2011 (11 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/373,245, dated Jun. 30, 2014 (18 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/414,536, dated Nov. 29, 2010 (8 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/978,152, dated May 23, 2011 (9 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/018,024, dated Aug. 7, 2014 (17 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/093,648, dated Aug. 29, 2013 (5 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/395,627, dated Sep. 10, 2014 (9 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/424,172, dated Jun. 27, 2012 (14 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/424,172, dated Nov. 9, 2012 (6 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 14/071,371, dated Aug. 21, 2014 (16 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/745,880, dated Jun. 3, 2013 (8 pgs). |
Office Action issued Nov. 23, 2012 in U.S. Appl. No. 12/745,880 (26 pgs.). |
Official Action received in corresponding Chinese Application No. 200480010203.3, Sep. 14, 2007 (19 pgs). |
Official Action received in corresponding Chinese Application No. 200480010203.3, Nov. 14, 2008 (5 pgs). |
Official Action recieved in corresponding EPO Application. No. 04 714 231.0-2315, Nov. 13, 2008 (5 pgs). |
Official Action, U.S. Appl. No. 11/721,800, dated Aug. 27, 2010 (13 pgs). |
PCT International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Aug. 26, 2005, PCT/US04/005922 (11 pgs). |
PCT International Search Report and Written Opinion, dated Oct. 22, 2004, PCT/US04/005922 (17 pgs). |
PCT International Search Report and International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Oct. 25, 2006, PCT/US05/45210 (10 pgs). |
PCT International Search Report and International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Jul. 7, 2008, PCT/US07/73188 (8 pgs). |
PCT International Search Report and International Preliminary Report on Patentability, dated Feb. 19, 2009, PCT/US08/85421 (7 pgs). |
PCT International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Mar. 28, 2011 PCT/US11/23375 (10 pgs). |
PCT International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in PCT/US2013/031062, dated Sep. 16, 2014 (9 pgs). |
Search Report and Written Opinion received in Applicant's corresponding European Patent Application Serial No. 05854009.7, Nov. 11, 2009 (8 pgs). |
Supplemental European Search Report issued in EP04714231, dated Jan. 25, 2007 (2 pgs). |
Yoshioka et al., “Electrically Driven Miniature Hydrogels as Muscle-Like Acuators”, 2001; Proceedings of SPIE vol. 4329, pp. 216-222 (7 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 14/071,371, dated Dec. 18, 2014 (11 pgs). |
Japanese Office Action (with translation) issued in related application No. 2012-551386, dated Jan. 28, 2015 (9 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 13/395,627, dated Feb. 5, 2015 (7 pgs). |
Chinese Board Decision, Appln. No. 200580048306.3, dated Dec. 26, 2014 (14 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/373,245, dated Feb. 9, 2015 (11 pgs). |
Office Action issued in related U.S. Appl. No. 12/918,466, dated Jul. 11, 2013 (36 pgs). |
India Hearing Notice in Reference of Application No. 3011/CHENP/2007, dated Feb. 5, 2015 (1 pg). |
Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/018,024, dated Feb. 24, 2015 (31 pgs). |
Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/424,172, dated Jun. 10, 2015 (25 pgs). |
Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 14/347,597, dated Jun. 3, 2015 (33 pgs). |
Indian Office Action issued in application No. 137/CHENP/2009, dated. Mar. 17, 2015 (2 pgs). |
Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/918,466, dated Nov. 19, 2015 (25 pgs). |
Extended European Search Report issued in application No. 12836396.7, dated Nov. 10, 2015 (12 pgs). |
Chinese Office Action (w/translation) issued in application No. 201380022758.9, dated Dec. 14, 2015 (12 pgs). |
Banister et al., “Molecular Engineering of Polymer Actuators for Biomedical and Industrial Use,” Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2012, vol. 8340 (20 pgs). |
Notice of Allowance issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/395,627, dated Sep. 16, 2015 (22 pgs). |
Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/373,245, dated Sep. 9, 2015 (20 pgs). |
Chinese Office Action issued in application No. 201280057499.9, dated Aug. 28, 2015 (13 pgs). |
Indian Office Action issued in application No. 137/CHENP/2009, dated Oct. 29, 2015 (2 pgs). |
Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/745,880, dated Jul. 22, 2015 (23 pgs). |
Chinese Office Action issued in application No. 201180007957.3, dated May 22, 2015 (11 pgs). |
Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/018,024, dated Aug. 4, 2015 (10 pgs). |
Chinese Office Action issued in application No. 201180007957.3, dated Feb. 15, 2016 (12 pgs). |
Chinese Office Action issued in application No. 201280057499.9, dated Jun. 28, 2016 (13 pgs). |
European Office Action issued in application No. 13 760 829.5, dated Jan. 26, 2016 (4 pgs). |
Notice of Allowance issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/018,024, dated Mar. 2, 2016 (24 pgs). |
Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 12/373,245, dated Jun. 1, 2016 (17 pgs). |
Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 13/424,172, dated Feb. 24, 2016 (22 pgs). |
Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 14/347,597, dated Feb. 25, 2016 (32 pgs). |
Office Action issued in U.S. Appl. No. 14/385,403, dated. Mar. 30, 2016 (32 pgs). |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20100268200 A1 | Oct 2010 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60992003 | Dec 2007 | US |