Neural electrode

• US 20070043411A1
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.
• Original Assignee: EnteroMedics, Inc. (ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.)
• Inventors: Foster, Arthur, Erickson, Brian, Bierk, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,822,486 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder includes a main electrode body of biocompatible dielectric material and having a concave upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The concave upper surface curves about an axis and has a curvature sized to receive a nerve within the concave surface with an axis of the nerve substantially parallel to an axis of the concave surface. An electrode contact of electrically conductive material is secured to the main electrode body and has an electrode contact surface exposed on the concave surface. The concave surface terminates at opposite first and second upper ends. The electrode contact has a first end near the first end of the concave surface. A secondary electrode body of biocompatible dielectric material is attached to the first upper end of the concave surface. An electrode lead has an electrical conductor surrounded by a biocompatible insulative coating with both the conductor and the coating flexible relative to a longitudinal axis of the lead. A first end of the lead is secured to the secondary electrode body and with a first end of said conductor electrically connected to said first end of said electrode contact.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder, said apparatus comprising:

a main electrode body of biocompatible dielectric material and having a concave upper surface and an opposite lower surface, said concave upper surface curving about an axis and having a curvature sized to receive a nerve within said concave surface with an axis of said nerve substantially parallel with an axis of said concave surface;

an electrode contact of electrically conductive material secured to said main electrode body and having an electrode contact surface exposed on said concave surface;

said concave surface terminating at opposite first and second upper ends, said electrode contact having a first end near said first end of said concave surface;

a secondary electrode body of biocompatible dielectric material attached to said first upper end of said concave surface;

an electrode lead having an electrical conductor surrounded by a biocompatible insulative coating with both said conductor and said coating flexible relative to a longitudinal axis of said lead;

a first end of said lead secured to said secondary electrode body and with a first end of said conductor electrically connected to said first end of said electrode contact.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a dielectric material of said main body extends axially away from said electrode contact surface on opposite sides thereof.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said secondary electrode body is pivotable relative to said main electrode body about a pivot axis substantially parallel to said axis of said concave surface.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said secondary electrode body is connected to first upper end by direct connection to of said secondary electrode body to said first end of electrode contact.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said electrode contact is deformable between said main electrode body and said secondary electrode body to pivot said secondary electrode body about said pivot axis.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a filler material between said main electrode body and said secondary electrode body to fix an angle between said main electrode body and said secondary electrode body.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a strain relief on said secondary electrode body to direct said lead away from said first upper end in a direction upwardly away from a plane defined by said first and second upper ends