NERVE CUFF FOR IMPLANTABLE ELECTRODE

• US 20080046055A1
• Filed: 08/15/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Original Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Inventors: Durand, Dominique, Tyler, Dustin, Cottrill, Benjamin
• Granted Patent: US 8,868,211 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12 for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord specially adapted for vas deferens or fallopian tubes A61F6/20; materials for ligaturing blood vessels A61L17/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00831 Material properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/00 Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor A61N2/00 takes precedence; irradiation apparatus A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes

Abstract

A flat interface nerve electrode provides a plurality of electrical contacts embedded in a non-conductive cuff structure, which acts to gently and non-evasively redefine the geometry of a nerve through the application of a force acting on the nerve without causing damage to the nerve. The cuff is open at one side and has a connection to a lead at the other side. During implantation the open sides of the cuff are closed so as to capture the nerve in the cuff in a single motion.

Claims

1. A biocompatible cuff comprising a pair of members connected at a hinge end and securable together at a location removed from the hinge end via a closure mechanism that can secure the members in a closed condition.

2. A cuff as set forth in claim 1, wherein the members are made of silicon having a first hardness and the closure mechanism includes at least one element having a second hardness different from the first hardness.

3. A cuff as set forth in claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism has a connector assembly with male and female elements that snap together.

4. A cuff as set forth in claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism includes multiple spaced-apart connector assemblies.

5. A cuff as set forth in claim 1, wherein the members and the closure mechanism are molded as a single unit.

6. A cuff as set forth in claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism includes self-aligning features.

7. A cuff as set forth in claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism can be secured using a force applied along a common line of action.

8. A method comprising the following steps:

a. placing a nerve cuff adjacent a nerve;

b. closing the cuff around the nerve in a single step.

9. An electrode comprising a cuff and a lead extending from the cuff, where adjacent the cuff the lead passes through a resilient sleeve having a bent shape that reduces the transmission of forces from the lead to the cuff.

10. An electrode as set forth in claim 9, wherein the bent shape includes a U-shape.

11. An electrode as set forth in claim 9, wherein the bent shape forms an angle between 45 and 180 degrees.

12. A system for functional electrical stimulation comprising a cuff for a nerve or muscle filament, the cuff including an elastic collar that exerts a force on the filament to cause the filament to gradually reshape to the internal configuration of an opening in the collar, wherein the resulting pressure in the filament is less than 80 mmHG, and the elastic collar includes a biodegradeable material that dissolves in a body and thereby changes the pressure profile and reshapes the filament to the internal configuration of the opening in the collar.

13. A method of functional electrical stimulation comprising the following steps:

a. providing a stimulation apparatus, which, when operated, stimulates a nerve or muscle filament;

b. providing a monitoring apparatus, which, when operated, monitors a biological property of a nerve or muscle filament;

c. placing a cuff around a nerve or muscle filament; and

d. applying a gradual force to the nerve or muscle filament by means of the cuff which results in a pressure in the nerve or muscle filament of less than 80 mmHg;

operating the stimulation apparatus and;

operating the monitoring apparatus.