Devices, Systems, and methods employing a molded nerve cuff electrode

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for recording, and/or stimulation, and/or blocking of a nerve make use of a molded cuff electrode. An electrically conductive surface is coupled to an inside surface of the elastic body of the cuff. The elastic body of the cuff is formed from a substantially homogeneous material, and the electrically conductive surface and the body assume a coiled configuration in the natural state of the cuff. An applicator tool having a body and a slider are used to implant the cuff electrode about a nerve.

1 . An implantable cuff electrode for placement about a biological tissue comprising:
 an elastic body having an elastic memory, the elastic body having an inside surface, an outside surface oppositely disposed the inside surface, and a thickness extending between the inside surface and the outside surface, wherein the elastic body is formed from a substantially homogeneous material throughout the thickness,   at least one electrically conductive surface coupled to the inside surface of the elastic body, and   the body and electrically conductive surface assuming a coiled configuration in its natural state, allowing an intimate contact between a majority of the at least one electrically conductive surface and a biological tissue at least partially surrounded by the elastic body.   
     
     
         2 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive surface measures at least one mm of length along the axis of the biological tissue and at least one mm of width along the circumference of the biological tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the natural shape coiled configuration is defined by a natural state overlap of the inside surface over the outside surface through a range of about 90 degrees to about 200 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 3 , the elastic body being sized to interface with a predetermined target nerve, wherein when the elastic body is disposed on the target nerve, the elastic body has an installed overlap of the inside surface over the outside surface of less than 90 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 4 , wherein all of the at least one electrically conductive surface are disposed outside of the installed overlap. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic memory of the cuff electrode is adapted to exert a maximum radially inward pressure on a target nerve of about 20 mm Hg. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive surface makes circumferential contact about substantially the entire periphery of the biological tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive surface is adapted to make contact around less than half of the circumference of the biological tissue. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic memory of the cuff electrode is adaptive to post-operative swelling by allowing the coiled configuration to expand and contract about a periphery of the biological tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the biological tissue comprises at least one nerve. 
     
     
         11 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive surface is segmented into isolated segments along the axis of the biological tissue 
     
     
         12 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive surface is segmented into isolated segments around the circumference of the biological tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive surface comprises a thin film of metal deposited on a liquid crystal polymer substrate or a strip of platinum. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrically conductive surface includes three electrically conductive surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 11 , wherein the three electrically conductive surfaces are electrically isolated. 
     
     
         16 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a strain relief boot coupled to the outside surface of the elastic body, the strain relief boot being formed about a boot axis and adapted to coaxially interface a molded component of a lead including at least one electrical conductor.   
     
     
         17 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 16 , wherein the strain relief boot is integrally formed with the elastic body. 
     
     
         18 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 16 , wherein the boot axis is disposed substantially perpendicular to the outside surface. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable cuff electrode of  claim 16 , wherein the boot axis is disposed substantially parallel to the outside surface.