公开(公告)号：US09833596B2

公开(公告)日：2017-12-05

申请号：US14015841

申请日：2013-08-30

Applicant: Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.

Inventor： Richard Ducharme ,  Mark Levatich ,  Christophe Ramstein

IPC: A61M25/01 ,  A61M25/00 ,  A61B18/14 ,  A61B1/005

CPC classification number: A61M25/0158 ,  A61B1/0051 ,  A61B18/1492 ,  A61M25/0009 ,  A61M2025/0058 ,  Y10T29/49117

Abstract: A catheter includes an electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuator disposed in a steerable tip at the distal end of the catheter. When activated, the EMP actuator deflects the steerable tip through an angle between 0 and 270 degrees, thus permitting the operator to steer the steerable tip through the vasculature. The steerable tip also has at least a first relatively stiff region and a second relatively flexible region, and the EMP actuator is provided next to the first relatively stiff region so that the steerable tip may toward the flexible region when activated. In one implementation, an external interface allows a user to select by name one of many sets of control signals, with each set of control signals being signals calibrated for configuring the catheter to mimic a known catheter.

公开(公告)号：US09142754B2

公开(公告)日：2015-09-22

申请号：US13941298

申请日：2013-07-12

Applicant: Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.

Inventor： Li Jiang

IPC: H01L41/09 ,  H01L41/193 ,  B06B1/06 ,  B06B1/12

CPC classification number: H01L41/193 ,  B06B1/0688 ,  B06B1/12 ,  H01L41/0933

Abstract: A linear resonant actuator includes: (a) an electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuator; (b) a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the EMP actuator being mounted on the first surface of the substrate; (c) clamping structure provided on two sides of the substrate so as to allow the substrate to vibrate freely between the two sides of the substrate, in response to an electrical stimulation of the EMP actuator; and (d) an inertial mass element having a contact surface for attaching to the substrate at the second surface of the substrate. The inertial mass element may include contact structures provided to attach to the substrate along thin parallel lines. In one embodiment, the inertial mass element may have a “T” shape, or any suitable shape for stability.

Abstract translation: 线性谐振致动器包括：（a）机电聚合物（EMP）致动器; （b）具有第一表面和第二表面的基板，所述EMP致动器安装在所述基板的第一表面上; （c）设置在基板的两侧上的夹持结构，以便响应于EMP致动器的电刺激，允许基板在基板的两侧之间自由地振动; 和（d）惯性质量元件，其具有用于在基板的第二表面处附着到基板的接触表面。 惯性质量元件可以包括沿着细平行线连接到基底的接触结构。 在一个实施例中，惯性质量元件可以具有“T”形，或者用于稳定性的任何合适的形状。

公开(公告)号：US20150065953A1

公开(公告)日：2015-03-05

申请号：US14015841

申请日：2013-08-30

Applicant: Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.

Inventor： Richard Ducharme ,  Mark Levatich ,  Christophe Ramstein

IPC: A61M25/01 ,  A61M25/00

CPC classification number: A61M25/0158 ,  A61B1/0051 ,  A61B18/1492 ,  A61M25/0009 ,  A61M2025/0058 ,  Y10T29/49117

Abstract: A catheter includes an electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuator disposed in a steerable tip at the distal end of the catheter. When activated, the EMP actuator deflects the steerable tip through an angle between 0 and 270 degrees, thus permitting the operator to steer the steerable tip through the vasculature. The steerable tip also has at least a first relatively stiff region and a second relatively flexible region, and the EMP actuator is provided next to the first relatively stiff region so that the steerable tip may toward the flexible region when activated. In one implementation, an external interface allows a user to select by name one of many sets of control signals, with each set of control signals being signals calibrated for configuring the catheter to mimic a known catheter.

Abstract translation: 导管包括机电聚合物（EMP）致动器，其设置在导管远端处的可转向尖端中。 当激活时，EMP致动器将可操纵的尖端偏转在0和270度之间的角度，从而允许操作者引导可操纵的尖端通过脉管系统。 可转向尖端还具有至少第一相对较硬的区域和第二相对柔性的区域，并且EMP致动器设置在第一相对较硬的区域旁边，使得可操纵的末端可以在被激活时朝向柔性区域。 在一个实现中，外部接口允许用户通过名称来选择许多组控制信号中的一个，每组控制信号被校准用于配置导管以模拟已知的导管。

公开(公告)号：US09507468B2

公开(公告)日：2016-11-29

申请号：US14015875

申请日：2013-08-30

Applicant: Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.

Inventor： Li Jiang ,  Lawrence Wang ,  Matthew Douglas Rogge ,  Brian Zellers ,  Christophe Ramstein

IPC: G01R27/26 ,  G06F3/044 ,  G06F3/042 ,  G06F3/01

CPC classification number: G06F3/044 ,  G01R27/2605 ,  G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/0428

Abstract: An electromechanical polymer (EMP) sensor includes (a) a first set of EMP layers provided between a first electrode and a second electrode forming a capacitor, the first set of EMP layers having one or more EMP layers capable of being activated by application of a voltage across the first and second electrodes; and (b) a sensing circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode for detecting a change in capacitance or a change in voltage across the first and second electrodes. The EMP sensor may further include means for disconnecting the second electrode from a ground reference after the pre-determined voltage is applied, such that the sensing circuit senses a change in capacitance. The sensing circuit may be capable of detecting a noise portion of a voltage across the first and second electrode.

Abstract translation: 机电聚合物（EMP）传感器包括（a）设置在形成电容器的第一电极和第二电极之间的第一组EMP层，所述第一组EMP层具有能够通过应用 跨越第一和第二电极的电压; 和（b）耦合到第一电极和第二电极的感测电路，用于检测电容的变化或第一和第二电极两端的电压变化。 EMP传感器还可以包括用于在施加预定电压之后将第二电极与接地基准断开的装置，使得感测电路感测电容的变化。 感测电路可能能够检测第一和第二电极两端的电压的噪声部分。

公开(公告)号：US20150061703A1

公开(公告)日：2015-03-05

申请号：US14015875

申请日：2013-08-30

Applicant: Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.

Inventor： Li Jiang ,  Lawrence Wang ,  Matthew Douglas Rogge ,  Brian Zellers ,  Christophe Ramstein

IPC: G01R27/26

CPC classification number: G06F3/044 ,  G01R27/2605 ,  G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/0428

Abstract: An electromechanical polymer (EMP) sensor includes (a) a first set of EMP layers provided between a first electrode and a second electrode forming a capacitor, the first set of EMP layers having one or more EMP layers capable of being activated by application of a voltage across the first and second electrodes; and (b) a sensing circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode for detecting a change in capacitance or a change in voltage across the first and second electrodes. The EMP sensor may further include means for disconnecting the second electrode from a ground reference after the pre-determined voltage is applied, such that the sensing circuit senses a change in capacitance. The sensing circuit may be capable of detecting a noise portion of a voltage across the first and second electrode.

Abstract translation: 机电聚合物（EMP）传感器包括（a）设置在形成电容器的第一电极和第二电极之间的第一组EMP层，所述第一组EMP层具有能够通过应用 跨越第一和第二电极的电压; 和（b）耦合到第一电极和第二电极的感测电路，用于检测电容的变化或第一和第二电极两端的电压变化。 EMP传感器还可以包括用于在施加预定电压之后将第二电极与接地基准断开的装置，使得感测电路感测电容的变化。 感测电路可能能够检测第一和第二电极两端的电压的噪声部分。

公开(公告)号：US20140191973A1

公开(公告)日：2014-07-10

申请号：US13735804

申请日：2013-01-07

Applicant: STRATEGIC POLYMER SCIENCES, INC.

Inventor： Brian C. Zellers ,  Li Jiang ,  Christophe Ramstein ,  Stephen Davis ,  M. Fabrice Domingues Dos Santos

IPC: G06F3/041

CPC classification number: G06F3/0414 ,  G06F3/016 ,  G06F3/0202

Abstract: Electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators are used to create haptic effects on a user interface deface, such as a keyboard. The keys of the keyboard may be embossed in a top layer to provide better key definition and to house the EMP actuator. Specifically, an EMP actuator is housed inside an embossed graphic layer that covers a key of the keyboard. Such a keyboard has a significant user interface value. For example, the embossed key provides the tactile effect of the presence of a key with edges, while allowing for the localized control of haptic vibrations. For such applications, an EMP transducer provides high strains, vibrations or both under control of an electric field. Furthermore, the EMP transducer can generate strong vibrations. When the frequency of the vibrations falls within the acoustic range, the EMP transducer can generate audible sound, thereby functioning as an audio speaker.

Abstract translation: 机电聚合物（EMP）致动器用于在诸如键盘的用户界面界面上产生触觉效果。 键盘的键可以被压印在顶层中以提供更好的键定义并容纳EMP致动器。 具体来说，EMP致动器被容纳在覆盖键盘的键的压花图形层内。 这样的键盘具有重要的用户界面值。 例如，压花键提供具有边缘的键的存在的触觉效果，同时允许触觉振动的局部控制。 对于这种应用，EMP传感器在电场控制下提供高应变，振动或两者。 此外，EMP传感器可以产生强烈的振动。 当振动频率落在声学范围内时，EMP传感器可以产生可听见的声音，从而起到音频扬声器的作用。

公开(公告)号：US20140035735A1

公开(公告)日：2014-02-06

申请号：US13683963

申请日：2012-11-21

Applicant: STRATEGIC POLYMER SCIENCES, INC.

Inventor： Brian C. Zellers ,  Shihai Zhang ,  Christophe Ramstein ,  Li Jiang ,  Raj P. Pathak

IPC: G08B6/00 ,  H02N2/18

CPC classification number: G08B6/00 ,  H01L41/083 ,  H01L41/0926 ,  H01L41/1132 ,  H01L41/193 ,  H02N2/18 ,  H03K17/9643 ,  H03K2217/96062

Abstract: A localized multimodal haptic system includes one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers, each including an EMP layer, such as an electrostrictive polymer active layer. In some applications the EMP transducer may perform an actuator function or a sensor function, or both. The EMP polymer layer has a first surface and a second surface on which one or more electrodes are provided. The EMP layer of the EMP actuator may be 5 microns thick or less. The EMP transducers may provide local haptic response to a local a stimulus. In one application, a touch sensor may be associated with each EMP transducer, such that the haptic event at the touch sensor may be responded to by activating only the associated EMP transducer. Furthermore, the EMP transducer may act as its own touch sensor. A variety of haptic responses may be made available. The EMP transducers may be used in various other applications, such as providing complex surface morphology and audio speakers.

Abstract translation: 局部多模式触觉系统包括一个或多个机电聚合物（EMP）换能器，每个都包括EMP层，例如电致伸缩聚合物活性层。 在某些应用中，EMP传感器可以执行执行器功能或传感器功能，或两者兼有。 EMP聚合物层具有第一表面和第二表面，其上设置有一个或多个电极。 EMP致动器的EMP层可以为5微米厚或更小。 EMP传感器可以为局部刺激提供局部触觉响应。 在一个应用中，触摸传感器可以与每个EMP传感器相关联，使得触摸传感器处的触觉事件可以通过仅激活相关联的EMP换能器来响应。 此外，EMP换能器可以作为其自身的触摸传感器。 可以提供各种触觉响应。 EMP传感器可用于各种其他应用，例如提供复杂的表面形态和音频扬声器。

公开(公告)号：US09370640B2

公开(公告)日：2016-06-21

申请号：US13734866

申请日：2013-01-04

Applicant: Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.

Inventor： Shihai Zhang ,  Stephen Davis ,  Mark Levatich ,  Richard Ducharme

IPC: A61M25/01 ,  A61M25/09 ,  A61M25/00

CPC classification number: A61M25/0158 ,  A61M25/0045 ,  A61M25/09041 ,  A61M2025/0042 ,  A61M2025/0058 ,  A61M2025/0063 ,  A61M2025/0915

Abstract: A steerable guide wire including one or more electroactive polymer layers, wherein each EAP layer is disposed between a layer of a first electrode and a layer of a plurality of second electrodes.

Abstract translation: 包括一个或多个电活性聚合物层的可导向导丝，其中每个EAP层设置在第一电极的层和多个第二电极的层之间。

公开(公告)号：US20140140551A1

公开(公告)日：2014-05-22

申请号：US13683942

申请日：2012-11-21

Applicant: STRATEGIC POLYMER SCIENCES, INC.

Inventor： Christophe Ramstein

IPC: H04R17/00

CPC classification number: H04R17/005 ,  H04R1/00 ,  H04R17/025 ,  H04R2201/401 ,  H04R2201/405 ,  H04R2205/022 ,  H04R2400/01 ,  H04R2400/03 ,  H04R2499/11

Abstract: A localized multimodal haptic system includes one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) transducers, each including an EMP layer, such as an electrostrictive polymer active layer. In some applications the EMP transducer may perform an actuator function or a sensor function, or both. The EMP polymer layer has a first surface and a second surface on which one or more electrodes are provided. The EMP layer of the EMP actuator may be 5 microns thick or less. The EMP transducers may provide local haptic response to a local a stimulus. In one application, a touch sensor may be associated with each EMP transducer, such that the haptic event at the touch sensor may be responded to by activating only the associated EMP transducer. Furthermore, the EMP transducer may act as its own touch sensor. A variety of haptic responses may be made available. The EMP transducers may be used in various other applications, such as providing complex surface morphology and audio speakers.

Abstract translation: 局部多模式触觉系统包括一个或多个机电聚合物（EMP）换能器，每个都包括EMP层，例如电致伸缩聚合物活性层。 在某些应用中，EMP传感器可以执行执行器功能或传感器功能，或两者兼有。 EMP聚合物层具有第一表面和第二表面，其上设置有一个或多个电极。 EMP致动器的EMP层可以为5微米厚或更小。 EMP传感器可以为局部刺激提供局部触觉响应。 在一个应用中，触摸传感器可以与每个EMP传感器相关联，使得触摸传感器处的触觉事件可以通过仅激活相关联的EMP换能器来响应。 此外，EMP换能器可以作为其自身的触摸传感器。 可以提供各种触觉响应。 EMP传感器可用于各种其他应用，例如提供复杂的表面形态和音频扬声器。

公开(公告)号：US20130335354A1

公开(公告)日：2013-12-19

申请号：US13917501

申请日：2013-06-13

Applicant: Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.

Inventor： Brian C. Zellers ,  Thomas Tremper ,  Raymond Orchard, JR. ,  Christophe Ramstein

IPC: H01L41/09 ,  H01L41/193 ,  G06F3/01

CPC classification number: H01L41/0926 ,  G06F3/016 ,  G06F2203/04103 ,  H01L41/083 ,  H01L41/193

Abstract: An inertial actuator includes an electro-active polymer EAP actuator, a substrate, and one or more mass elements. The EAP actuator includes at least one EAP layer located between a pair of driving electrodes. The EAP actuator may include a multilayer stack of alternating EAP layers and electrode layers. The EAP actuator is attached to the substrate (e.g., a flexible polymer substrate), which may be held under tension by attachment points at the periphery of the substrate, at the ends of a beam-type substrate, or the edges of a membrane-type actuator. The EMP actuator induces vibrations in the substrate. One or more mass elements (e.g., metal films) may also be supported by the substrate to enhance the resonator response.

Abstract translation: 惯性致动器包括电活性聚合物EAP致动器，衬底和一个或多个质量元件。 EAP致动器包括位于一对驱动电极之间的至少一个EAP层。 EAP致动器可以包括交替的EAP层和电极层的多层堆叠。 EAP致动器附接到基板（例如，柔性聚合物基板），其可以通过在基板的周边处的附接点，在梁型基板的端部处的张力保持，或者膜 - 型致动器。 EMP致动器在基板中引起振动。 一个或多个质量元件（例如，金属膜）也可由衬底支撑以增强谐振器响应。