CUFF ELECTRODE HAVING TUBULAR BODY WITH CONTROLLED CLOSING FORCE
First Claim
1. A self-sizing cuff electrode, for use in stimulating a nerve, the cuff electrode comprising:
- a cuff portion configured to adopt a generally tubular shape, said cuff portion comprising a first end, a second end, a length, an inner surface and an outer surface, the cuff portion being configured to contact a nerve over a contact area, the cuff portion further comprising;
a hinge portion configured to provide resilient support along substantially the length of the cuff portion;
a longitudinal split, said split defining a first edge, and a second edge, said first edge and second edge configured to slidably overlap each other such that the cuff portion substantially circumferentially encloses at least a portion of the nerve; and
a plurality of electrodes, said electrodes comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode, said at least one anode and at least one cathode located on substantially opposite sides of the nerve when the nerve is enclosed by the cuff portion;
wherein in response to an electrical signal, the at least one anode and at least one cathode form an electrically coupled anode-cathode pair with an electrical pathway therebetween; and
wherein the cuff portion is configured to provide a compressive force effective to maintain contact between the electrodes and the nerve, such that the electrical pathway between the electrodes and the nerve is maintained.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Nerve cuff electrode including a tubular body having a longitudinal slit and a flap curled over the slit. The tubular body includes a central cathode disposed between two anodes. The region opposite the slit includes a flexible region that determines the flexibility and strength of tube opening and closing. The cuff electrode having a hinge region with a non-linear effective spring constant which can be higher at low cuff openings and lower at large opening to provide an effective yet non-damaging closing force over a wide range of cuff openings. In use, the tube body can be pulled apart using attached suture loops, with one loop and flap pulled under the nerve followed by part of the tubular body. The tubular body can be closed over the nerve and the flap closed over the tube slit.
20 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A self-sizing cuff electrode, for use in stimulating a nerve, the cuff electrode comprising:
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a cuff portion configured to adopt a generally tubular shape, said cuff portion comprising a first end, a second end, a length, an inner surface and an outer surface, the cuff portion being configured to contact a nerve over a contact area, the cuff portion further comprising; a hinge portion configured to provide resilient support along substantially the length of the cuff portion; a longitudinal split, said split defining a first edge, and a second edge, said first edge and second edge configured to slidably overlap each other such that the cuff portion substantially circumferentially encloses at least a portion of the nerve; and a plurality of electrodes, said electrodes comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode, said at least one anode and at least one cathode located on substantially opposite sides of the nerve when the nerve is enclosed by the cuff portion; wherein in response to an electrical signal, the at least one anode and at least one cathode form an electrically coupled anode-cathode pair with an electrical pathway therebetween; and wherein the cuff portion is configured to provide a compressive force effective to maintain contact between the electrodes and the nerve, such that the electrical pathway between the electrodes and the nerve is maintained. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification