Patent ID: 8133199

Claim:
A medical device comprising: an elongated member including a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; a balloon disposed about at least a portion of the elongated member adjacent to the distal end, wherein the balloon is fluidly connected to the lumen of the elongated member to receive a fluid for inflating the balloon; one or more electroactive polymers disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the balloon, wherein the one or more electroactive polymers are electrically actuatable between a first contracted state and a second expanded state; an activation circuit including a sensor for sensing a measure related to a parameter within the elongated member and/or balloon, wherein the activation circuit is coupled to the one or more electroactive polymers for selectively providing an electrical current to the one or more electroactive polymers according to the sensed measure; and wherein the activation circuit includes a comparator having a first input connected to the sensor and a second input connected to a predefined threshold value, wherein the sensed measure is compared to the predefined threshold value.