Multi-electrode neurological stimulation apparatus
First Claim
1. A nerve cuff for neurological stimulation comprising:
- a lead from the stimulation source containing at least two wires;
a main body formed of a resilient material with a generally gapped, hollow cylindrical shape such that the main body is deformable with respect to a longitudinal axis to allow temporary enlargement of the gap for placement around the nerve, the main body forming an environmentally sealed termination for the lead;
at least two electrodes on the inside surface of the cylindrical portion of the main body facing the nerve, said at least two electrodes adapted for being positioned such that at least portion of each of said at least a two electrodes contacts the nerve in a common plane approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nerve so as to provide for radially directed current flow through the nerve; and
transfer means for coupling stimulation signals from said at least two wires in the lead to each of said at least two electrodes;
wherein when the main body is placed around the nerve, each electrode is urged into contact with the nerve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable system for Functional Electro-Stimulation (FES) is disclosed which includes an environmentally sealed implant case and a nerve cuff for attaching to the nerve. A plurality of leads connect the nerve cuffs to the case. The implant case provides redundant seals for entrance of the leads in a double wall/double environmental seal to provide long term sealing reliability for the case. Inside the case, the wires in each lead attach to connectors, which establish contact with an enclosed master circuitry case. The connectors allow the leads to be individually removed and replaced, thereby providing a maintainable system.
At the other end of the leads is attached the nerve cuff. Each nerve cuff has a hollow, gapped cylindrical shape, and includes electrodes on its inner surface. The cuff is deformable to allow placement around the nerve, holding the electrodes in electrical contact therewith.
In other embodiments of the invention, the nerve cuff includes a micro circuit which is capable of demultiplexing stimulation signals from a single pair of wires in the lead to drive multiple electrodes. These embodiments reduce the number of wires needed in each lead to facilitate the stimulation of a large number of nerves with a single implant.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A nerve cuff for neurological stimulation comprising:
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a lead from the stimulation source containing at least two wires; a main body formed of a resilient material with a generally gapped, hollow cylindrical shape such that the main body is deformable with respect to a longitudinal axis to allow temporary enlargement of the gap for placement around the nerve, the main body forming an environmentally sealed termination for the lead; at least two electrodes on the inside surface of the cylindrical portion of the main body facing the nerve, said at least two electrodes adapted for being positioned such that at least portion of each of said at least a two electrodes contacts the nerve in a common plane approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nerve so as to provide for radially directed current flow through the nerve; and transfer means for coupling stimulation signals from said at least two wires in the lead to each of said at least two electrodes; wherein when the main body is placed around the nerve, each electrode is urged into contact with the nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification