Custom sized neural electrodes

• US 7,822,486 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.
• Original Assignee: EnteroMedics, Inc. (ReShape LifeSciences, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bierk, Michael D., Foster, Arthur J., Erickson, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evanisko; George R
• Assistant Examiner(s): D ABREU, MICHAEL JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US11/205,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20070043411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,896 Days
• Field of Search: 607/118, 607/40, 607/2, 607/113, 607/149, 607/46, 607/150, 607/63, 600/377
• US Class Current: 607/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder includes a main electrode body of biocompatible dielectric material and having a concave upper surface and an opposite lower surface. The concave upper surface curves about an axis and has a curvature sized to receive a nerve within the concave surface with an axis of the nerve substantially parallel to an axis of the concave surface. An electrode contact of electrically conductive material is secured to the main electrode body and has an electrode contact surface exposed on the concave surface. The concave surface terminates at opposite first and second upper ends. The electrode contact has a first end near the first end of the concave surface. A secondary electrode body of biocompatible dielectric material is attached to the first upper end of the concave surface. An electrode lead has an electrical conductor surrounded by a biocompatible insulative coating with both the conductor and the coating flexible relative to a longitudinal axis of the lead. A first end of the lead is secured to the secondary electrode body and with a first end of said conductor electrically connected to said first end of said electrode contact.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder, said apparatus comprising:

a main electrode body of biocompatible dielectric material and having a concave upper surface and an opposite lower surface, said concave upper surface curving about an axis and having a curvature sized to receive a nerve within said concave surface with an axis of said nerve substantially parallel with an axis of said concave surface, said concave surface terminating at opposite first and second upper ends;

an electrode contact of electrically conductive material secured to said main electrode body and having an electrode contact surface exposed on said concave surface, said electrode contact having a first end extending above said first upper end of said concave surface;

a flexible extension connected to the main electrode body at the second upper end and extending longitudinally away from the concave surface to form part of a plane extending between said first and second upper ends of said main electrode body;

a secondary electrode body of biocompatible dielectric material attached to and pivotable relative to said main electrode body at said first upper end of said concave surface, wherein said secondary electrode body is in contact with the first end of the electrode contact, and extends from said first upper end at an angle that is 90°

or less relative to the plane extending between said first and second upper ends of said main electrode body and the flexible extension, and can pivot through angles of 90°

or less relative to the plane; and

an electrode lead having an electrical conductor surrounded by a biocompatible insulative coating with both said conductor and said coating flexible relative to a longitudinal axis of said lead, wherein a first end of said lead is secured to said secondary electrode body and a first end of said conductor is electrically connected to said first end of said electrode contact, and the longitudinal axis of the lead extends 90°

or less relative to the plane extending between said first and second upper ends of said main electrode body and the flexible extension.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said dielectric material of said main body extends axially away from said electrode contact surface on opposite sides thereof.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said secondary electrode body is connected to said first upper end by direct connection of said secondary electrode body to said first end of said electrode contact.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a filler material between said main electrode body and said secondary electrode body to fix an angle between said main electrode body and said secondary electrode body.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main body electrode accommodates nerves of diameters from 1 to 5 mm.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main body electrode accommodates a vagus nerve.