Electrode contact configurations for cuff leads
First Claim
1. A stimulation system for a nerve, comprising:
- a cuff configured and arranged to be placed, at least partially, around the nerve;
a plurality of electrode contacts disposed on the cuff, the plurality of electrode contacts comprising a first electrode contact, a second electrode contact adjacent the first electrode contact, a third electrode contact adjacent the second electrode contact, and a fourth electrode contact adjacent the third electrode contact, such that
1) a distance between the first electrode contact and the second electrode contact,
2) a distance between the second electrode contact and the third electrode contact, and
3) a distance between the third electrode contact and the fourth electrode contact are all different from each other; and
a stimulator unit electrically coupled to the plurality of electrode contacts and configured and arranged for selecting two of the plurality of electrode contacts and providing stimulation to adjacent tissue using the two of the plurality of electrode contacts.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stimulation system is disclosed that may include a stimulator unit coupled to electrode contacts on a cuff. In one embodiment, the cuff may be placed at least partially around a nerve. The stimulation system may include at least two electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that a distance between the at least two electrode contacts various along a length of the electrode contacts. In another embodiment, a plurality of electrode contacts are disposed on the cuff such that distances between at least one electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and each electrode contact immediately adjacent to the at least one electrode contact are different. The stimulator unit may also be implantable.
59 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A stimulation system for a nerve, comprising:
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a cuff configured and arranged to be placed, at least partially, around the nerve; a plurality of electrode contacts disposed on the cuff, the plurality of electrode contacts comprising a first electrode contact, a second electrode contact adjacent the first electrode contact, a third electrode contact adjacent the second electrode contact, and a fourth electrode contact adjacent the third electrode contact, such that
1) a distance between the first electrode contact and the second electrode contact,
2) a distance between the second electrode contact and the third electrode contact, and
3) a distance between the third electrode contact and the fourth electrode contact are all different from each other; anda stimulator unit electrically coupled to the plurality of electrode contacts and configured and arranged for selecting two of the plurality of electrode contacts and providing stimulation to adjacent tissue using the two of the plurality of electrode contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A stimulation system for a nerve, comprising:
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a cuff configured and arranged to be placed, at least partially, around the nerve; a plurality of electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that distances between a first electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and each electrode contact immediately adjacent to the first electrode contact are different; and a stimulator unit electrically coupled to the plurality of electrode contacts and configured and arranged for selecting two of the plurality of elements and providing stimulation to adjacent tissue using the two of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the plurality of electrode contacts further comprises at least two groupings of electrode contacts within the plurality of electrode contacts, wherein distances between one electrode contact within one of the at least two groupings and each electrode contact immediately adjacent to the one electrode contact within the same grouping are different. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method of stimulating a nerve, the method comprising:
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disposing a cuff, at least partially, around the nerve, the cuff having a plurality of electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that a distance between a first electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and at least one electrode contact immediately adjacent to the first electrode contact varies along a length of the first electrode contact; coupling the cuff to a stimulator unit; and providing electrical signals from the stimulator unit to a pair of the electrode contacts of the cuff to stimulate the nerve. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification