Implantable electrode array
First Claim
1. An electrode assembly for surgical implantation on a nerve of the peripheral nerve system, comprising:
- a flexible helically formed supporting matrix of dielectric material;
a flexible conductive electrode secured to the surface of the matrix, the electrode having front and rear surfaces and side edges, the front surface being exposed and not covered by the matrix, the electrode occupying only a portion of the cross-sectional periphery of the matrix; and
flexible connection means connected to the electrode and extending from the matrix;
the matrix and electrode generally forming a multiturn hollow helix wibh a free end and without a supporting core, the turns being resiliently movable with respect to each other to enable the helix to be wrapped around an unsevered nerve, the helix having a central passage therethrough of size and configuration generally conforming to the external size and configuration of the nerve.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable helical electrode assembly configured to fit around a nerve for electrically triggering or measuring an action potential or for blocking conduction in nerve tissue. A multiconductor flexible cable connects the electrode to an implanted signal receiver, and the assembly may include multiple individual flexible ribbon electrodes each partially embedded in a portion of the peripheral surface of a helically formed dielectric support matrix. The spiral configuration of the assembly is easy to install around a nerve bundle during surgical implantation, and the resiliency of the assembly minimizes the risk of damage to nerve tissue. The tissue-contacting surface of each electrode is roughened to increase the electrode surface area.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An electrode assembly for surgical implantation on a nerve of the peripheral nerve system, comprising:
-
a flexible helically formed supporting matrix of dielectric material; a flexible conductive electrode secured to the surface of the matrix, the electrode having front and rear surfaces and side edges, the front surface being exposed and not covered by the matrix, the electrode occupying only a portion of the cross-sectional periphery of the matrix; and flexible connection means connected to the electrode and extending from the matrix; the matrix and electrode generally forming a multiturn hollow helix wibh a free end and without a supporting core, the turns being resiliently movable with respect to each other to enable the helix to be wrapped around an unsevered nerve, the helix having a central passage therethrough of size and configuration generally conforming to the external size and configuration of the nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18)
-
-
12. An electrode assembly for surgical implantation around a nerve, comprising:
-
a flexible supporting matrix formed substantially in the shape of a spiral helix; a plurality of spaced-apart flexible conductive ribbon electrodes secured to and arrayed along an inner surface of the matrix, each electrode occupying only a portion of the cross-sectional periphery of the matrix and having a separate flexible conductor extending therefrom; and the conductors being embedded in the matrix to extend from the respective electrodes to an end of the matrix; the matrix and electrodes generally forming a multiturn hollow helix with a free end and without a supporting core, the turns being resiliently movable with respect to each other to enable the helix to be wrapped around an unsevered nerve, the helix having a central passage therethrough of size and configuration generally conforming to the external size and configuration of the nerve. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19)
-
Specification