Separated-interface nerve electrode

• US 9,008,800 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2010
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Original Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
• Inventors: Ackermann, Douglas Michael Jr., Kilgore, Kevin, Bhadra, Niloy, Bhadra, Narendra
• Primary Examiner(s): Kahelin, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): FAIRCHILD, MALLIKA DIPAYAN
• Application Number:
  US12/949,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20110160798A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,608 Days
• Field of Search: 607 1- 3, 607115-118, 607/120, 607/46
• US Class Current: 607/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/048 obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds A61L31/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0436 Material of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36103 Neuro-rehabilitation; Repair or reorganisation of neural tissue, e.g. after stroke

Abstract

Example ionic coupling electrodes are described. One example ionic conducting electrode includes a first portion that can be coupled to a single phase current source. The first portion carries current flow via electrons. The electrode includes a second portion to apply a current to a nerve tissue. The second portion carries current flow via ions. The second portion is positioned between the nerve tissue and the first portion to prevent the first portion from touching the nerve tissue. The current applied to the nerve tissue is produced in the second portion in response to a current that is present in the first portion. The current present in the first portion is provided from a single phase current source. The electrode may be used in applications including, but not limited to, nerve block applications and nerve stimulation applications.

Claims

1. A system configured to deliver a monophasic current to a nerve, the system comprising:

a current source adapted to generate a monophasic electrical current;

an electrical lead adapted to carry the monophasic current from the current source to a metal conductor of a nerve cuff electrode,

the nerve cuff electrode, comprising;

the metal conductor connected to the electrical lead to receive the monophasic electrical current pulse from the current source;

an aqueous ionically conductive medium (ICM) that separates the nerve and the metal conductor to prevent damage due to an electrochemical reaction product; and

a housing structure that is physically coupled to the metal conductor and adapted to hold and enclose the ICM.

2. The nerve cuff electrode of claim 1, wherein the monophasic electrical current pulse comprises a constant amplitude between 1 and 10 mA.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing structure comprises a tube.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing structure comprises area that exposes the ICM covered by a membrane interface.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the membrane interface comprises an ionomer.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the ionomer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluoro-3, 6-dioxa-4-methyl-7-octenesulfonic acid.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the monophasic electrical current produced by the current source comprises a DC current.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the monophasic electrical current produced by the current source comprises an amplitude of between 1 mA and 10 mA.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the ICM comprises a material that at least one of reacts with and neutralizes the electrochemical reaction product.