US 12,239,510 B2
Method for maintaining an electro-active polymer in a pre-stretch state
Omer Zelka, Tel-Aviv (IL)
Assigned to ElastiMed Ltd., IP Tradyon (IL)
Filed by ElastiMed Ltd., Tradyon (IL)
Filed on Apr. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/295,115.
Application 18/295,115 is a continuation of application No. 17/694,329, filed on Mar. 14, 2022, abandoned.
Application 17/694,329 is a continuation of application No. 16/066,637, granted, now 11,278,455, issued on Mar. 22, 2022, previously published as PCT/IB2016/001046, filed on Jun. 30, 2016.
Application 16/066,637 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/982,645, filed on Dec. 29, 2015, granted, now 9,433,537, issued on Sep. 6, 2016.
Application PCT/IB2016/001046 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/IB2015/002539, filed on Dec. 29, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/112,509, filed on Feb. 5, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/097,372, filed on Dec. 29, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/112,498, filed on Feb. 5, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2023/0233381 A1, Jul. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. H01F 7/06 (2006.01); A61B 17/132 (2006.01); A61F 5/01 (2006.01); A61F 13/08 (2006.01); B29C 53/04 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61F 2/50 (2006.01); B29C 55/12 (2006.01); B29C 55/14 (2006.01); B29K 33/00 (2006.01); B29K 83/00 (2006.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01); B29L 31/48 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 13/085 (2013.01) [A61B 17/1322 (2013.01); A61F 5/0127 (2013.01); B29C 53/04 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00022 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00402 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00411 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00862 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00871 (2013.01); A61B 2090/064 (2016.02); A61F 2/50 (2013.01); A61F 2002/5066 (2013.01); A61F 5/0102 (2013.01); A61F 2005/0155 (2013.01); A61F 13/08 (2013.01); B29C 55/12 (2013.01); B29C 55/14 (2013.01); B29K 2033/08 (2013.01); B29K 2083/00 (2013.01); B29K 2995/0006 (2013.01); B29L 2031/48 (2013.01); B29L 2031/753 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
obtaining an article comprising:
i) a pre-stretched electro-active polymer film,
wherein the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film comprises an electro-active polymer film that is pre-stretched in at least one planar stretch direction;
ii) at least one stretchable conductor attached to at least one surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film; and
iii) a pair of electrical connectors connected to the at least one stretchable conductor; and
wrapping and fixing the article around a solid body to form a fixed pre-stretched electro-active polymer film;
wherein the fixed pre-stretched electro-active polymer film is configured to:
apply a pressure to the solid body in a first condition and relieve the pressure in a second condition;
wherein the first condition is a condition when no voltage is being applied to the at least one stretchable conductor;
wherein the second condition is a condition when voltage is being applied, via the pair of connectors, to the at least one stretchable conductor.