A peristaltic pump for conveying a fluid comprises a flexible tube having
an outer surface and a lumen for carrying the fluid such as a therapeutic
agent. The tube has a length defined by opposed ends of the tube, the
outer surface of the body carrying a plurality of longitudinally
spaced-apart electroactive polymer actuators. The plurality of actuators
are adapted to be responsive to electrical signals for energizing the
actuators sequentially along the length of the tube to move a lumen
pinch-off along the length of the tube to thereby convey the fluid from
one end of the tube to the other end by means of a peristaltic pumping
action. The peristaltic pump may be incorporated into a medical lead,
such as an endocardial pacing lead, carrying at least one electrode.