Self expanding electrode cuff
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electrode assembly comprising:
- an elongate cuff body including;
a base member including a top wall and at least one side wall; and
a first flange member including a first end and a second end;
a pair of resilient arcuate-shaped flange members that includes a second flange member and a third flange member,wherein the respective second and third flange members each include a proximal portion and a distal end portion, with each respective proximal portion extending from the base outwardly and away from the other respective proximal portion, andwherein the respective distal end portions are biased to extend toward each other and to be in releasable contact with each other when the cuff body is in a nerve-engaging position such that the respective second and third flange members define, in combination with the top wall of the base member, a lumen releasably enclosing a nerve and having a substantially re-closable opening, wherein the at least one side wall of the base member protrudes in first orientation away from the lumen, andwherein the first end of the first flange member is secured to an outer surface of the third flange member and has a cross-sectional length sufficient to extend from its secured first end to overlap an outer surface of the third flange member and to overlap an outer surface of a portion of the second flange member when the distal end portions of the respective second and third flange members of the cuff body are in the nerve-engaging position, and wherein, when the cuff body is in the nerve-engaging position, at least the second end of the first flange member is in releasable slidable contact against the second flange member and the first flange member also overlaps the substantially re-closable opening between the second and third flange members,wherein each of the first, second, and third flange members extend a length of the cuff body; and
a row of generally rigid electrode elements embedded within the cuff body and spaced apart from each other along the length of the cuff body, wherein in a cross-sectional orientation, each electrode element includes;
a generally arcuate first portion extending along an inner surface of the second flange member to be exposed at the lumen, wherein the exposed first portion of the electrode element is located generally opposite the substantially re-closable opening of the cuff body; and
a generally straight second portion extending into the base member away from the lumen at a generally obtuse angle relative to the first portion, wherein the second portion is separate from, and independent of, a lead extending from the base member of the cuff body with the second portion being electrically coupled to the lead.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode lead assembly is described. The lead assembly includes an expandable cuff electrode that includes a series of spaced apart electrode elements and a substantially re-closable opening.
109 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An electrode assembly comprising:
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an elongate cuff body including; a base member including a top wall and at least one side wall; and a first flange member including a first end and a second end; a pair of resilient arcuate-shaped flange members that includes a second flange member and a third flange member, wherein the respective second and third flange members each include a proximal portion and a distal end portion, with each respective proximal portion extending from the base outwardly and away from the other respective proximal portion, and wherein the respective distal end portions are biased to extend toward each other and to be in releasable contact with each other when the cuff body is in a nerve-engaging position such that the respective second and third flange members define, in combination with the top wall of the base member, a lumen releasably enclosing a nerve and having a substantially re-closable opening, wherein the at least one side wall of the base member protrudes in first orientation away from the lumen, and wherein the first end of the first flange member is secured to an outer surface of the third flange member and has a cross-sectional length sufficient to extend from its secured first end to overlap an outer surface of the third flange member and to overlap an outer surface of a portion of the second flange member when the distal end portions of the respective second and third flange members of the cuff body are in the nerve-engaging position, and wherein, when the cuff body is in the nerve-engaging position, at least the second end of the first flange member is in releasable slidable contact against the second flange member and the first flange member also overlaps the substantially re-closable opening between the second and third flange members, wherein each of the first, second, and third flange members extend a length of the cuff body; and a row of generally rigid electrode elements embedded within the cuff body and spaced apart from each other along the length of the cuff body, wherein in a cross-sectional orientation, each electrode element includes; a generally arcuate first portion extending along an inner surface of the second flange member to be exposed at the lumen, wherein the exposed first portion of the electrode element is located generally opposite the substantially re-closable opening of the cuff body; and a generally straight second portion extending into the base member away from the lumen at a generally obtuse angle relative to the first portion, wherein the second portion is separate from, and independent of, a lead extending from the base member of the cuff body with the second portion being electrically coupled to the lead. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 24, 25)
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12. An electrode assembly comprising:
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an elongate cuff body including; a base member including a top wall and at least one side wall; a first flange member including a first end and an opposite second end; and a pair of resilient arcuate-shaped flange members including a second flange member and a third flange member, the respective flange members each including a proximal portion that extends from the base member outwardly and away from the other respective proximal portion and a distal end portion that extends toward the other respective distal end portion, wherein the top wall of the base member and the two flange members at least partially define a lumen and wherein the distal end portions define an opening providing access to the lumen, wherein the at least one side wall of the base member protrudes in a first orientation away from the lumen and wherein each of the first, second, and third flange members extend a length of the cuff body, wherein the first end of the first flange member is secured to an outer surface of the second flange member and has a cross-sectional length sufficient to extend from the secured first end to overlap, and releasably contact, an outer surface of both the second flange member and the third flange member when at least the distal end portions of the respective second and third flange members are in a nerve-engaging position, wherein in the nerve-engaging position the second end of the first flange member terminates at a location over the third flange member the first flange member overlaps an opening between the distal end portions of the respective second and third flange members; and a row of resilient electrode elements at least partially embedded within the cuff body and spaced apart from each other along the length of the cuff body, wherein each electrode element includes; a generally semi-circular first portion extending along an inner surface of the respective flange members and arranged to be exposed at the lumen, wherein the exposed first portion is located generally opposite the opening of the cuff body, wherein the first portion defines a first segment and a second segment that extend outwardly in opposite directions from each other; and a second portion generally extending outward and away from a midpoint of the first portion, wherein the second portion extends into the base member away from the lumen, wherein the second portion of each electrode element is separate from, and independent of, a lead extending from the base member of the cuff body with the second portion electrically couplable to the lead. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification