Circumneural electrode assembly

• US 6,600,956 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2001
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc. (LivaNova Plc)
• Original Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc
• Inventors: Kollatschny, Shawn D., Maschino, Steve E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl
• Application Number:
  US09/933,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20030040785A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 607/118
• US Class Current: 607/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes

Abstract

An electrode assembly to be installed on a patient'"'"'s nerve has a thin, flexible, electrically insulating circumneural carrier with a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to a lead at the distal end thereof. The carrier possesses circumferential resiliency and has at least one flexible, elastic electrode secured to the underside thereof and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead. A fastener serves to close the split configuration of the carrier to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve. Tear away webbing secured to adjacent serpentine segments of the lead near the carrier enables the lead to lengthen with patient movements.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient'"'"'s nerve, comprising:

a thin, flexible, electrically insulating circumneural carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to said lead at the distal end thereof, said carrier possessing circumferential elasticity,

at least one flexible, elastic electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, said at least one electrode being composed of electrically conductive fibers, and

a fastener for closing the split configuration of die carrier to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve.

2. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said fibers are coated with electrically conducting material to render them electrically conductive.

3. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said at least one electrode is composed of stretchable or non-stretchable fibers having electrically conducting material incorporated therein.

4. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said electrode is coated with an agent to minimize tissue inflammation and lower stimulation thresholds.

5. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said electrode is coated with an agent to enhance tissue compatibility.

6. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein:

said electrode is coated with an agent to prevent tissue adhesion to the electrode.

7. An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient'"'"'s nerve, comprising:

a thin, flexible, electrically insulating circumneural carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to said lead at the distal end thereof, said carrier possessing circumferential elasticity,

at least one flexible, elastic electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead,

a fastener for closing the split configuration of the carrier to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve, and

a tether coupled to said lead adjacent said carrier for additionally securing said carrier and said lead to the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve, said tether comprising a circumferential loop having one end rotatably coupled to said lead and another end free of attachment, and a fastener affixed to the rotatable coupling for engaging the free end of the tether for securing the tether about the nerve.

8. An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patients nerve, comprising:

a thin, flexible, electrically insulating circumneural carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to said lead at the distal end thereof, said carrier possessing circumferential elasticity,

at least one flexible, elastic electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, and

a fastener for closing the split configuration of the carrier to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve,

said lead including webbing secured between at least some adjacent serpentine segments of the lead to enable lengthening of the lead in response to movements or growth of the patient'"'"'s body.

9. The electrode assembly of claim 8, wherein:

said webbing is of tear away construction.

10. A cuff electrode for implantation on a nerve of the body, comprising:

a resilient curved split electrically insulating cylinder,

an elastic electrode secured to the underside of said resilient cylinder between the split therein, and

an electrically conductive lead secured generally axially along and to the outside of said resilient cylinder between the split therein, said electrode being electrically connected to said lead.

11. The cuff electrode of claim 10, wherein:

said resilient cylinder has an elastic strip extending longitudinally between the ends thereof.

12. The cuff electrode of claim 10, wherein:

said resilient cylinder is composed of elastic material.

13. The cuff electrode of claim 10, wherein:

said lead includes webbing secured between adjacent serpentine segments of the lead at least proximate said resilient cylinder to enable lengthening of the lead in response to movements or growth of the body.

14. An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient'"'"'s nerve, comprising:

a thin, resilient, curled electrically insulating carrier having a spilt circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to and projecting generally perpendicularly from said lead at the distal end thereof,

at least one resilient ribbon electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, and

a selectively separable fastener for securing the split configuration of the carrier together to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve,

said split circumferential configuration comprising;

a curled rectangular loop attached at one edge to said lead, and having an edge opposite said one edge unattached to said lead, and

a pair of resilient ribbon electrodes, including said at least one electrode, secured to respective spaced apart legs of said rectangular loop projecting perpendicularly from said lead.

15. An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient'"'"'s nerve, comprising:

a thin, resilient, curled electrically insulating carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to and projecting generally perpendicularly from said lead at the distal end thereof,

at least one resilient ribbon electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, and

a selectively separable fastener for securing the split configuration of the carrier together to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve,

said split circumferential configuration comprising;

a pair of spaced apart curled rectangular strips attached at one edge to said lead and having an edge opposite said one edge unattached to said lead, and a bridge connection between said pair of strips to maintain their spaced apart relationship, and

a pair of resilient ribbon electrodes, including said at least one electrode, secured to respective ones of said spaced apart strips.

16. The electrode assembly of claim 15, wherein:

said bridge connection joins said pair of strips at said edge unattached to said lead.

17. The electrode assembly of claim 15, wherein:

said bridge connection joins said pair of strips at a location between said attached and unattached edges thereof.

18. An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient'"'"'s nerve, comprising:

a thin, resilient, curled electrically insulating carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to and projecting generally perpendicularly from said lead at the distal end thereof,

at least one resilient ribbon electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, and

a selectively separable fastener for securing the split configuration of the carrier together to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve,

said split circumferential configuration comprising;

a curled rectangular loop attached substantially centrally to said lead and having substantially symmetrical portions projecting in opposite directions from said lead with confronting spaced apart edges, and

a pair of resilient ribbon electrodes, including said at least one electrode, secured to respective spaced apart legs of said rectangular loop projecting perpendicularly from said lead.

19. An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient'"'"'s nerve, comprising:

a thin, resilient, curled electrically insulating carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to and projecting generally perpendicularly from said lead at the distal end thereof,

at least one resilient ribbon electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, and

a selectively separable fastener for securing the split configuration of the carrier together to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve, said selectively separable fastener comprising a flexible strap in combination with a fixed coupling, attached adjacent to opposite ones of split ends of said circumferential configuration of said carrier.

20. An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient'"'"'s nerve, comprising:

a thin, resilient, curled electrically insulating carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to and projecting generally perpendicularly from said lead at the distal end thereof,

at least one resilient ribbon electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, and

a selectively separable fastener for securing the split configuration of the carrier together to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve,

said lead including tear away webbing secured between adjacent serpentine segments of the lead in proximity to said carrier to enable lengthening of the lead in response to normal movements or growth of the patient'"'"'s body.