Surgically implantable peripheral nerve electrode

• US 4,940,065 A
• Filed: 01/23/1989
• Issued: 07/10/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Lue, Tom F., Schmidt, Richard A., Tanagho, Emil A., Gleason, Curtis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US07/299,135
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 128/784, 128/785, 128/642, 128/419 C
• US Class Current: 607/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes

Abstract

An electrode is adapted to be surgically implanted around a nerve bundle to provide for the selective stimulation thereof. The electrode comprises a biocompatible and dielectric carrier formable from a flattened, opened position to a closed position around the nerve bundle. In its opened position, the carrier exhibits a main body portion extending in the direction of a longitudinal wrapping axis of the carrier and flap portions extending transversely outwardly from opposite ends of the main body portion and from the axis. At least one electrode contact is secured on an inner surface of the carrier and is welded to a wire lead, adapted for connection to a receiver implanted on a patient. In carrying forth the method steps for making the electrode, the carrier originally constitutes a tube that is suitably cut to form the main body and flap portions thereof. The electrode contact is then secured to an inner surface of the carrier and welded to the wire lead.

Claims

1. A peripheral nerve electrode adapted to be surgically implanted around a nerve comprising

carrier means formable about a longitudinal wrapping axis thereof from an opened position to a closed position encircling a nerve, said carrier means composed of a biocompatible and dielectric material and when in its opened position said carrier means having a main body portion extending in the direction of said axis and flap portions extending transversely outwardly from opposite ends of said main body portion and from said axis and when in its closed position said carrier means having opposed edges of opposite sides of its main body and flap portions disposed in close abutting relationship relative to each other to form a tube, and

electrode means secured on an inner surface of said carrier means for selectively electrically stimulating said nerve when said carrier means is in its closed position thereabout.

2. The nerve electrode of claim 1 wherein said carrier means generally forms a cylindrical tube when in its closed position and is composed of a polymeric material exhibiting a memory to automatically assume its closed position when released from its opened position.

3. The nerve electrode of claim 2 wherein said carrier means is composed of a polymeric material having a physical character comparable to milled and compounded rubber prior to vulcanization, but containing organosilicon polymers.

4. The nerve electrode of claim 1 wherein said carrier means is generally Z-shaped when in its opened and flattened position and said main body portion is defined by a pair of opposite end edges disposed transversely relative to said axis and parallel side edges intersecting said end edges.

5. The nerve electrode of claim 4 wherein each said flap portion is defined by a pair of parallel outer and inner side edges each defining an acute angle relative to said axis and to a respective one of the side edges of said main body portion.

6. The nerve electrode of claim 5 wherein said outer and inner side edges intersect a respective one of the end edges and side edges of said main body portion, respectively.

7. The nerve electrode of claim 6 wherein each said flap portion is further defined by a distal edge intersecting the outer and inner edges thereof and when said carrier means is in its closed position each side edge of said main body portion being disposed to closely abut a distal edge of a respective flap portion and the inner edges of said flap portions being disposed to closely abut each other with said carrier means generally assuming a cylindrical configuration.

8. The nerve electrode of claim 1 wherein said electrode means extends at least substantially circumferentially within said carrier means and about said nerve when said nerve electrode is in its closed position encircling said nerve.

9. The nerve electrode of claim 8 wherein said electrode means comprises a wire or ribbon electrode contact extending transversely across said main body portion, between outer side edges of said flap portions.

10. The nerve electrode of claim 8 wherein said electrode means comprises a plurality of wire or ribbon electrode contacts disposed in spaced and parallel relationship relative to each other.

11. The nerve electrode of claim 10 wherein said electrode contacts are disposed in parallel relationship relative to said axis.

12. The nerve electrode of claim 10 wherein said electrode contacts are disposed transversely relative to said axis.

13. The nerve electrode of claim 8 wherein said electrode means comprises a plurality of button-type electrode contacts.

14. The nerve electrode of claim 1 further comprising an electrical lead means welded to said electrode means for connecting said electrode means to a receiver implanted on a patient.

15. A peripheral nerve electrode adapted to be surgically implanted around a nerve comprising

carrier means formable about a longitudinal wrapping axis thereof from an opened position to a closed position encircling a nerve, said carrier means composed of a biocompatible and dielectric material and when in its opened position said carrier means having a main body portion extending in the direction of said axis and flap portions extending transversely outwardly from opposite ends of said main body portion and from said axis, said carrier means being generally Z-shaped when in its opened and flattened position and said main body portion being defined by a pair of opposite end edges disposed transversely relative to said axis and parallel side edges intersecting said end edges, and

electrode means secured on an inner surface of said carrier means for selectively electrically stimulating said nerve when said carrier means is in its closed position thereabout.