Segmented electrode

• US 20080139913A1
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Original Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Inventors: Schulman, Joseph H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,979,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36003 of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply

Abstract

An electrode having a plurality of electrically conductive segments, each segment being electrically isolated from adjacent segments. The segments are adapted to control living tissue, typically a neuromuscular pathway for delivery of stimulation signals to a desired pathway. The segments may be selectively chosen for the delivery of the stimulation signals, so as to avoid delivery of stimulation signals to tissue in contact with segments not chosen.

Claims

1. An electrode adapted to apply stimulation signals to a neuromuscular pathway, the electrode comprising a plurality of electrically conductive segments, each segment being electrically isolated from every other segment, each segment adapted for contact with a selected neuromuscular pathway, each segment configured for coupling to a source of stimulation signals so that stimulation signals are deliverable to a selected neuromuscular pathway through one or more of the segments.

2. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the electrode is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium and platinum-iridium.

3. The electrode of claim 1, wherein an electrically non-conductive material is disposed between adjacent segments, each segment thereby being electrically isolated from every other segment.

4. The electrode of claim 3, wherein the electrically non-conductive material is selected from the group consisting of:

zirconia, partially stabilized zirconia, zirconia containing phase stabilization admixtures of calcia, magnesia, ceria or yttria, tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline ceramic and alumina.

5. The electrode of claim 1, wherein the electrode is secured to one end of a support structure comprising a cylindrical tube having an outside diameter, the electrode being cylindrically shaped having an outside diameter equal to that of the support structure and being coaxial therewith.

6. An electrode system comprising:

an electrode, adapted to apply stimulation signals to a neuromuscular pathway, the electrode comprising a plurality of electrically conductive segments, each segment being electrically isolated from every other segment, each segment adapted for contact with a selected neuromuscular pathway, each segment configured for coupling to a source of stimulation signals so that stimulation signals are deliverable to a selected neuromuscular pathway through one or more of the segments;

a source of stimulation signals; and

a controller coupled between the source of stimulation signals and the electrode segments, the controller adapted to selectively interconnect the source of stimulation signals to selected ones of the plurality of electrode segments.

7. The electrode system of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of segment switches, each switch coupled between the source of stimulation signals and a respective one of the plurality of segments, each switch being selectively rendered conductive by said controller for selectively interconnecting the source of stimulation signals to a respective segment.

8. The electrode system of claim 7, wherein the source of stimulation signals comprises a capacitor chargeable from an energy source, the controller adapted to control the charging of the capacitor by the energy source.

9. The electrode system of claim 8, wherein the source of stimulation signals further comprises a stimulation switch coupled between the capacitor and the plurality of segment switches, said stimulation switch being rendered conductive by the controller whereupon the source of stimulation signals is selectively coupled to one or more of the segments.

10. An electrode adapted to contact body tissue, the electrode having a plurality of programmable segments, such that the electrode may be programmed to deliver stimulation signals to said body tissue through one or more programmed segments.