Nerve cuff electrode carrier
First Claim
1. A device for coupling spiral cuff electrodes to nerves for applying electrical signals from a signal generator to a nerve trunk to stimulate a nerve in a mammal, comprising:
- a carrier plate, formed from a non-conductive material, having a plurality of grooves formed therein, with each groove capable of accommodating at least one nerve trunk, said plate having a pair of through slots associated with each groove wherein said groove is positioned between said slots;
a plurality of electrically conductive contacts, each having a hollow hemicylindical outer surface, located within each groove;
and an electrical conductor, located within said carrier plate, associated with each groove, for coupling said contacts to a signal generator;
such that when a nerve trunk is positioned within a groove of said carrier plate in physical contact with the outer surface of said contacts and a spiral cuff electrode is positioned within said slots of said carrier plate encircling said nerve trunk and in physical contact with the nerve trunk, electrical signals from a signal generator may be applied through said electrical conductor and said contacts to the nerve trunk to stimulate the nerve.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for coupling nerve cuff electrodes for stimulating nerves to a signal source for applying electrical signals for activation. The device comprises a carrier plate composed of a non-conductive material which contains a series of grooves for receiving selected nerve trunks. On either side of each groove is located a slot along the length of the groove, and a plurality of contacts are embedded within each groove. The contacts are releasably coupled to a power source which supplies a stimulating signal to the nerves. A spiral cuff electrode is wrapped through the slots to secure the nerve within the contact and provide for electrical conduction.
50 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A device for coupling spiral cuff electrodes to nerves for applying electrical signals from a signal generator to a nerve trunk to stimulate a nerve in a mammal, comprising:
-
a carrier plate, formed from a non-conductive material, having a plurality of grooves formed therein, with each groove capable of accommodating at least one nerve trunk, said plate having a pair of through slots associated with each groove wherein said groove is positioned between said slots; a plurality of electrically conductive contacts, each having a hollow hemicylindical outer surface, located within each groove; and an electrical conductor, located within said carrier plate, associated with each groove, for coupling said contacts to a signal generator; such that when a nerve trunk is positioned within a groove of said carrier plate in physical contact with the outer surface of said contacts and a spiral cuff electrode is positioned within said slots of said carrier plate encircling said nerve trunk and in physical contact with the nerve trunk, electrical signals from a signal generator may be applied through said electrical conductor and said contacts to the nerve trunk to stimulate the nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A device for coupling a spiral cuff electrode to a nerve for applying electrical signals for a signal generator to stimulate a nerve trunk of a mammal, comprising:
-
a carrier plate, formed from a non-conductive material, having at least one groove formed therein capable of receiving a nerve trunk, said plate having a through slot located adjacent each side of said groove; at least one electrically conductive contact located within said groove, said contact having a hollow hemicylindrical upper surface; and means for electrically coupling said contact to a signal generator; such that, when a nerve trunk is positioned within said groove in physical contact with said contact and a spiral cuff electrode is coupled to said carrier plate through said slots encircling and in physical contact with the nerve trunk, electrical signals from a signal generator may be applied through said electrical coupling means and said contact to stimulate the nerve trunk. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification