FOLDABLE, IMPLANTABLE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY AND TOOL FOR IMPLANTING SAME
First Claim
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1. An electrode array for implantation against living tissue, said electrode array including;
- a frame formed from flexible material, said frame having an outer perimeter and shaped to define within the outer perimeter of the frame a plurality of openings through the frame so that said frame includes;
a plurality of spaced apart tabs, wherein at least two said tabs are laterally spaced apart from each other; and
at least one beam, that is separate from said tabs that extends laterally at least partially across said frame across a distance subtended by at least one tab so as to connect two laterally spaced apart sections of said frame from which adjacent, laterally spaced apart tabs extend wherein, said beam can be folded so to result in the at least partial overlapping of the two laterally spaced apart sections of said frame from which the laterally adjacent tabs extend; and
a plurality of electrodes, each said electrode formed being formed from biocompatible material through which a current can be sourced to or sunk from tissue against which said electrodes are disposed, wherein said electrodes are disposed on said frame.
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Abstract
An electrode array assembly with a frame that is foldable or bendable on which electrodes are disposed. The frame includes laterally spaced apart bridges. Tabs extend laterally outwardly from the bridges Electrodes are disposed on the tabs. Beams, also part of the frame, extend between the laterally adjacent bridges. The frame can be folded around the beams so as to cause the laterally spaced bridges to at least partially overlap. When the beams are so bent, the electrode carrying tabs extend beyond the bent beams.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An electrode array for implantation against living tissue, said electrode array including;
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a frame formed from flexible material, said frame having an outer perimeter and shaped to define within the outer perimeter of the frame a plurality of openings through the frame so that said frame includes; a plurality of spaced apart tabs, wherein at least two said tabs are laterally spaced apart from each other; and at least one beam, that is separate from said tabs that extends laterally at least partially across said frame across a distance subtended by at least one tab so as to connect two laterally spaced apart sections of said frame from which adjacent, laterally spaced apart tabs extend wherein, said beam can be folded so to result in the at least partial overlapping of the two laterally spaced apart sections of said frame from which the laterally adjacent tabs extend; and a plurality of electrodes, each said electrode formed being formed from biocompatible material through which a current can be sourced to or sunk from tissue against which said electrodes are disposed, wherein said electrodes are disposed on said frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electrode array, said electrode array including:
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a frame formed from flexible material, said frame shaped to define; a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart bridges; a plurality of tabs, said tabs extending outwardly from one of said bridges wherein;
plural longitudinally spaced apart tabs extend outwardly from each said bridge;
said tabs extending outwardly from said bridges so that plural said tabs extend outwardly from a first one of said bridges towards a second one of said bridges and plural said tabs extend outwardly from the second one of the said bridges towards the first one of said bridges; and
said tabs that extend outwardly from the first said bridge are separate from said tabs that extend outwardly from the second said bridge; anda plurality of beams that are separate from and said tabs, said beams extending laterally across said frame so as to connect said bridges together, wherein said frame can be bent around said beams so as a result of the bending, the said first bridge at least partially overlaps the second said bridge; and a plurality of electrodes, each said electrode being formed from biocompatible material through which a current can be sourced to or sunk from tissue against which the electrodes are disposed, said electrodes being disposed on said frame tabs. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrode array for implantation against living tissue, said electrode array including;
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a frame formed from flexible metal, said frame having an outer perimeter and shaped to define within the outer perimeter of the frame a plurality of openings through the frame so that said frame includes; a plurality of spaced apart tabs, wherein at least two said tabs are laterally spaced apart from each other; and at least one beam that is separate from said tabs, said at least one beam extends laterally along at least partially across said frame so as to connect two laterally spaced apart sections of said frame from which adjacent laterally spaced apart tabs extend, wherein said frame can be bent around said at least one beam so as to result in at least two said tabs at least partially overlapping; a layer of electrically insulating material disposed over a portion of said frame, including said tabs; a plurality of electrodes, each said electrode being formed from biocompatible material through which a current can be sourced to or sunk from tissue against which the electrodes are disposed, wherein said electrodes are disposed on said frame tabs; electrical conductors that extend to said electrodes, said conductors being disposed in the said electrically insulating material. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An electrode array and deployment assembly, including:
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an access cannula consisting of a structural member formed from material that is insertable in living tissue, the member shaped to define a lumen having a major diameter and a distal end, the lumen open at the distal end; and an electrode array including; a frame formed from flexible material that can be folded or rolled and that, when able to expand from a folded or rolled state, returns to an unfolded or unrolled state, wherein said frame has a width greater than the major diameter of the access cannula lumen and wherein said carrier is folded or rolled so as to be disposed in the access cannula lumen, said frame further formed to define at least one tab that is part of the frame and that is separated from surrounding sections of the frame; and at least one electrode disposed on said at least one frame tab, and wherein said frame is rolled or folded so as to be disposed in the access cannula lumen, and when said frame is s rolled or folded said at least one electrode carrying tab is less folded or rolled relative to the extent the surrounding sections of said frame are folded or rolled.
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22. An electrode array and deployment assembly, said assembly including:
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an access cannula consisting of an outer structural member formed from material insertable in living tissue, the outer structural member shaped to define a lumen and a distal end, the lumen open adjacent the structural member distal end; a deployment cannula disposed in the lumen of the access cannula, said deployment cannula having a lumen and a distal end opening, said deployment cannula being disposed in the lumen of the outer structural member to be discharged from the lumen opening and that so that during the discharge, the deployment cannula can be rotated; and an electrode array assembly including;
a frame; and
at least one electrode disposed on the frame; and
wherein the electrode assembly is disposed in the lumen of the access cannula, said electrode array assembly being disposed in the lumen of said deployment cannula for discharge from the distal end opening of the deployment cannula lumen, said electrode assembly being seated in the deployment cannula lumen to rotate with said deployment cannula so that the rotation of said deployment cannula results in a rotation of the electrode assembly prior to the discharge of the electrode assembly from said deployment cannula.
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Specification