IMPLANTABLE NERVE STIMULATION ELECTRODE

• US 3,774,618 A
• Filed: 07/03/1972
• Issued: 11/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roger E. Avery
• Original Assignee: Roger E. Avery
• Inventors: Avery, Roger E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/268,667
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.6E,2.1E,404,410,411,416,418,419C,419E,419P,DIG.4,2.5F
• 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

A relatively thin and flexible strip of inert plastic having electrodes and lead wires encapsulated therein is provided for implantation about a single nerve so that electrical stimuli may be applied thereto.

Claims

1. A device implantable in a living body for the electrical stimulation of a single nerve, said device comprising:

a. a relatively thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body tissues and fluids;

b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive electrode means secured to a surface of said strip, said electrode means comprising cup-shaped noble metal meMbers with the edge of said cup-shaped members bearing against said strip of insulating material;

c. a staple for securing each said electrode means to said strip of insulating material, said staple being welded to the inside of said respective cup-shaped member, said staples having legs crimped against the side of said strip of insulating material that is opposite to that to which said cup-shaped members are secured;

d. first conductive lead means electrically and physically coupled to said electrode means and welded to said staples, said first conductive lead means being of relatively high tensile strength; and

e. second conductive lead means secured to each said high tensile strength first lead means, said second conductive lead means comprising bundles of stainless steel filaments in the order of twelve microns diameter, said bundles containing from 50 to 450 filaments.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrically insulating strip is molded in a U-shape with the ends thereof in spaced confronting relationship, said electrode means being on the inside surface of said shaped strip and in spaced opposition to each other.

3. The device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said ends of said strip are transversely enlarged with respect to the central portion of said strip.

4. The device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said strip is made of a plastic material that may be opened to a flat configuration and which is characterized by a built-in memory that will return the strip to said U-shaped configuration upon the release of pressure whereby a nerve positioned between the legs of said U-shaped strip will be contacted by said electrode means.

5. The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insulating material is a silicone rubber composition.

6. The device in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a material for reinforcing said silicone rubber.

7. A device adapted to be implanted within a living body and in contact with a single nerve for the electrical stimulation thereof, said device comprising:

a. a relatively non-elastic thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body fluids and tissues, said strip being defined by a central, integral hinge section and two spaced apart ends contiguous with said central section, said strip being molded in a U-shape with the ends thereof in spaced confronting relationship;

b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive rigid electrode means secured to a surface of said strip in the central section thereof, said electrode means being on the inside surface of said strip in each leg of said U-shape and in spaced apart opposition to each other whereby a very light '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'kissing'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' contact is made between said electrode means and the nerve when said device is emplanted; and

c. first conductive lead means electrically and physically coupled to said electrode means.

8. The device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said ends of said strip are transversely enlarged with respect to said central portion of said strip.

9. The device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said strip is made of a plastic material that may be opened to a flat configuration and which is characterized by a built-in memory that will return said strip to said U-shaped configuration upon the release of pressure whereby a nerve positioned between the legs of said U-shaped member will be contacted by said electrode means.

10. The device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said electrode means comprise cup-shaped noble metal members with the edge of said cup-shaped members bearing against said strip of insulating material.

11. The device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said insulating material is a silicone rubber composition.

12. The device in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a material for reinforcing said silicone rubber.

13. The device in accordance with claim 7 further including a staple for seCuring each said electrode means to said strip of insulating material, said staples being welded to the inside of said respective cup-shaped member, said staples having legs crimped against the side of said strip of insulating material that is opposite to that to which said cup-shaped members are secured.

14. The device in accordance with claim 13 wherein said first conductive lead means is of relatively high tensile strength and are welded to said staples.

15. The device in accordance with claim 14 further including second conductive lead means secured to each said high tensile strength first lead means, said second conductive lead means comprising bundles of stainless steel filaments in the order of twelve microns in diameter, said bundles containing from 50 to 450 filaments.

16. The device in accordance with claim 15 further including a physiologically inert sheath within which said second lead means are secured.

17. A device adapted to be implanted within a living body and in contact with a single nerve for the electrical stimulation thereof, said device comprising:

a. a relatively non-elastic thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body fluids and tissues, said strip being defined by a central, integral hinge section and two spaced apart ends contiguous with said central section;

b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive rigid electrode means secured to a surface of said strip in the central section thereof whereby a very light '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'kissing'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' contact is made between said electrode means and the nerve when said device is implanted; and

c. conductive lead means electrically and physically coupled to said electrode means.

18. The device in accordance with claim 17 wherein said strip is molded in a U-shape with the ends thereof in spaced confronting relationship, said electrode means being on the inside surface of said shaped strip in each leg of said U-shape and in spaced opposition to each other.

19. The device in accordance with claim 17 wherein said electrode means comprise cup-shaped noble metal members with the edge of the cups bearing against said strip of insulating material.

20. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein said insulating material is a silicone rubber composition.

21. A device adapted to be implanted within a living body and in contact with a single nerve for the electrical stimulation thereof, said device comprising:

a. relatively thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body fluids and tissues, said strip being defined by a central section and two spaced apart ends contiguous with said central section, said strip being molded in a U-shape with the ends thereof in spaced confronting relationship;

b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive cup-shaped noble metal electrode means secured to a surface of said strip in the central section thereof, the edge of said cup-shaped members bearing against said strip of insulating materials said electrode means being on the inside surface of said strip in each leg of said U-shape and in spaced opposition to each other;

c. a staple for securing each said electrode means to said strip of insulating material, said staples being welded to the inside of said respective cup-shaped member, said staples having legs crimped against the side of said strip of insulating material that is opposite to that to which said cup-shaped members are secured;

d. first conductive lead means of relatively high tensile strength electrically and physically welded to said staples; and

e. second conductive lead means secured to said high tensile strength first lead means, said second conductive lead means comprising bundles of stainless steel filaments in the order of 12 microns in diameter, said bundles containing from 50 to 450 filaments.

22. The device in accordance with claim 21 further including a physiological inert sheath witHin which said second lead means are secured.

23. The device in accordance with claim 21 wherein said ends of said strip are transversely enlarged with respect to said central portion of said strip.

24. The device in accordance with claim 21 wherein said strip is made of a plastic material that may be opened to a flat configuration and which is characterized by a built-in memory that will return said strip to said U-shaped configuration upon the release of pressure whereby a nerve positioned between the legs of said U-shaped member will be contacted by said electrode means.

25. The device in accordance with claim 21 wherein said insulating material is a silicone rubber composition.

26. The device in accordance with claim 25 further comprising a material for reinforcing said silicone rubber.