ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY WITH FIBERS FOR A MEDICAL DEVICE

• US 20080183258A1
• Filed: 01/26/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc. (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc
• Inventors: Inman, D. Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,974,707 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0558 Anchoring or fixation means therefor

Abstract

An apparatus and system are provided for employing an electrode for delivering an electrical signal to a portion of a tissue of a patient'"'"'s body. The electrode includes a first surface to electrically couple to the portion of an outer layer of the tissue. The electrode also includes a plurality of fibers or longitudinal elements coupled to the outer surface. The plurality of fibers or longitudinal elements are adapted to migrate to an interior portion of the tissue.

Claims

1. An electrode for delivering an electrical signal to a target nerve of a patient'"'"'s body, wherein said nerve comprises an outer surface and an inner portion, said electrode comprising:

an inner surface to contact to said outer surface of said target nerve; and

a plurality of fiber elements comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said fiber elements are coupled at said proximal end to said inner surface of said electrode.

2. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said plurality of fiber elements are adapted to migrate into said inner portion of said target nerve.

3. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said fiber elements are comprised of at least one conductive material selected from the group consisting of copper, titanium, an alloy metal, iron, steel, and a carbon-based structure.

4. The electrode of claim 3, wherein each of said fiber elements comprises an electrically insulated portion proximate to said proximal end and a conductive portion proximal to said distal end.

5. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said target nerve is a cranial nerve selected from the group consisting of a vagus nerve, a glossopharyngeal nerve, and a trigeminal nerve, and said fiber elements are capable of penetrating said outer surface of said target nerve.

6. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said fiber elements are comprise a variety of lengths adapted to penetrate a plurality of distances into said target nerve.

7. The electrode of claim 6, wherein said inner surface of said electrode is substantially nonconductive, and wherein a first portion of said fiber elements is encapsulated with an electrically insulating material, electrically exposing a conductive second portion of said fiber element to said target nerve.

8. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode is a circumneural electrode such that said first surface substantially surrounds said outer surface of said target nerve.

9. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode further comprises an electrical signal to apply to said target nerve to treat at least one of depression disorder and an epilepsy disorder.

10. The electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode further comprises:

a circumneural cathode that surrounds a first portion of said target nerve, said circumneural cathode comprising a first plurality of fiber elements capable of migrating into said inner portion of said target nerve; and

a circumneural anode that surrounds a second portion of said target nerve, said circumneural anode comprising a second plurality of fiber elements capable of migrating into said inner portion of said target nerve.

11. An electrode for delivering an electrical signal to a portion of a cranial nerve of a patient'"'"'s body, said cranial nerve having an outer surface and an inner portion, said electrode comprising:

a first surface to electrically couple to said cranial nerve; and

a plurality of fibers having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein each of said fibers is coupled to said first surface at said proximal end, said fibers being conductive and adapted to migrate beneath the outer surface of the cranial nerve to deliver an electrical signal to said inner portion of said cranial nerve.

12. The electrode of claim 11, wherein said first surface is a helical structure adapted to be wrapped around said cranial nerve.

13. The electrode of claim 11, wherein said fibers are oriented generally perpendicular to said first surface of said electrode.

14. The electrode of claim 11, wherein said plurality of fibers are comprised of at least one conductive material selected from the group consisting of copper, titanium, an alloy metal, iron, steel, a shape memory metal and a carbon nanotube structure.

15. The electrode of claim 14, wherein said plurality of fibers are comprised of a shape-memory metal capable of returning to a desired orientation upon reaching a threshold temperature.

16. An implantable medical device system for providing an electrical signal therapy to a patient, comprising:

an implantable medical device for generating an electrical signal; and

an electrode operatively coupled to said implantable medical device for delivering said electrical signal to a portion of a target tissue of a patient'"'"'s body, said target tissue comprising an outer surface and an interior portion, said electrode comprising;

a first surface that electrically couples to said outer surface of said target tissue; and

a plurality of longitudinal elements coupled to said first surface, said longitudinal elements being adapted to electrically couple to at least one of said outer surface and said interior portion of said target tissue.

17. The implantable medical device system of claim 16, further comprising a lead assembly, said lead assembly comprising a proximal portion adapted to be connected to the implantable medical device and a distal portion being adapted to be coupled to said electrode, said lead assembly to carry said electrical signal from said implantable medical device to said electrode.

18. The implantable medical device system of claim 16, wherein said longitudinal elements comprise fiber elements capable of migrating within said interior portion of said target tissue.

19. The implantable medical device system of claim 18, wherein said fiber elements is comprised of at least one conductive material selected from the group consisting of copper, titanium, an alloy metal, iron, steel, a shape memory metal, and a carbon-based structure.

20. The implantable medical device system of claim 18, wherein said longitudinal elements comprises an electrically insulated portion proximate to said firs surface of the electrode and a conductive portion distal to said first surface.