Method and apparatus for interfacing to nerves
First Claim
1. An anatomically implantable electrical device for interfacing to nerves and comprising:
- electrical lead means;
coupling means comprising a piece of sheet material secured to one end of said lead means and being shaped to encircle the outer surface of a nerve at a minimum spacing therefrom of 0.3 millimeters, said sheet material having interstices for accommodating vascular flow and receiving anatomic tissue growth after being implanted; and
input terminal means electrically connected to said one end of said lead means and supported by an inner side of said sheet material so as to contact the embraced nerve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and a method for anatomic implantation to provide electrical interface to nerves. Included in the device are a pair of electrical leads secured to a coupling formed from a piece of woven sheet material, and having ends connected to spaced apart input terminals disposed adjacent to an inner surface of the coupling. Connected to the opposite ends of the leads are output terminals for interfacing to electrical recording or measuring instruments. During implantation, a subject nerve is embraced by the inner surface of the sheet material which is shaped for juxtaposition the outer surface of the nerve at a minimum spacing therefrom of 0.3 millimeters. In the period following implantation the interstices of the sheet material coupling receive anatomic tissue growth establishing a structurally stable dimensional relationship between the nerve and both the input electrodes and the coupling. The fixed input electrode spacing between the electrode and the nerve improves the quality of the electrical signals received from the nerve while the 0.3 millimeter minimum spacing insures that the nerve will continue living for extended periods of time.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An anatomically implantable electrical device for interfacing to nerves and comprising:
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electrical lead means; coupling means comprising a piece of sheet material secured to one end of said lead means and being shaped to encircle the outer surface of a nerve at a minimum spacing therefrom of 0.3 millimeters, said sheet material having interstices for accommodating vascular flow and receiving anatomic tissue growth after being implanted; and input terminal means electrically connected to said one end of said lead means and supported by an inner side of said sheet material so as to contact the embraced nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for providing an electrical interface to nerves and comprising the steps of:
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forming input terminal means on one end of a length of electrical lead means; securing said terminal means to a support comprising a piece of sheet material having interstices for accommodating vascular flow and receiving growing anatomic tissue; and anatomically implanting said lead means with said terminal means contacting a nerve and said portion of sheet material encircling the nerve and spaced at least 0.3 millimeters therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification