Shielded electrode for nerve sensing
First Claim
1. An electrode assembly for sensing nerve signals, the electrode assembly comprising:
- an electrically conductive layer adapted to form an implantable shield assembly, extending circumferentially around at least a first portion of a nerve;
at least two reference electrodes electrically coupled to the shield assembly and extending circumferentially around the first portion of the nerve wherein the shield assembly and the reference electrodes are configured to contact a nerve so as to define a substantially isopotential reference; and
at least one implantable sense electrode configured to contact the nerve and positioned between the conductive layer of the shield assembly and the first portion of the nerve such that the sense electrode is electrically insulated from the shield assembly and at least partially shielded by the shield assembly from potentials arising externally to the nerve.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A shielded electrode assembly for nerve sensing is disclosed. The electrode assembly is a flexible and generally tubular structure that can be wrapped around and secured to the outer surface of a nerve so as to establish and maintain electrical contact therewith. The assembly includes an electrically conductive shield with conductive reference electrodes positioned at opposite ends thereof to define an isopotential reference. A sense electrode is placed within the isopotential reference and senses signals either with respect to the isopotential reference or to a sense reference electrode also positioned within the isopotential reference to a sensing device. The isopotential reference provides a region along which nerve activity propagating along the nerve can be sensed with a large attenuation of any external noise which may be present adjacent the sensing region of the nerve. The shielded electrode assembly facilitates direct, long-term nerve sensing with reduced need for filtering or signal processing.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An electrode assembly for sensing nerve signals, the electrode assembly comprising:
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an electrically conductive layer adapted to form an implantable shield assembly, extending circumferentially around at least a first portion of a nerve; at least two reference electrodes electrically coupled to the shield assembly and extending circumferentially around the first portion of the nerve wherein the shield assembly and the reference electrodes are configured to contact a nerve so as to define a substantially isopotential reference; and at least one implantable sense electrode configured to contact the nerve and positioned between the conductive layer of the shield assembly and the first portion of the nerve such that the sense electrode is electrically insulated from the shield assembly and at least partially shielded by the shield assembly from potentials arising externally to the nerve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An implantable medical device comprising:
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a processor; and a shielded electrode assembly in communication with the processor, wherein the shielded electrode assembly comprises an implantable shield assembly having an electrically conductive layer extending circumferentially around at least a first portion of a nerve and at least two reference electrodes electrically coupled to the shield assembly and extending circumferentially around the first portion of a nerve wherein the shield assembly and the reference electrodes are configured to contact a nerve so as to define a substantially isopotential reference and at least one sense electrode which is electrically insulated from the shield assembly and positioned between the electrically conductive layer of the shield assembly and the first portion of the nerve and wherein the electrode assembly senses nerve activity in a manner that is at least partially shielded from electrical potentials arising external to the nerve. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification