Nerve cuff electrode locking mechanism

Abstract

A lead comprising a lead body, a lead connector terminal affixed to a proximal end of the lead body, and a cuff body affixed to a distal end of the lead body, an electrode contact affixed to the cuff body, and an electrical conductor between the connector terminal and electrode contact. The lead further comprises a strap extending from a first region of the cuff body, a buckle disposed on a second region of the cuff body, and a locking feature, e.g., protuberance, ring, or wrinkle, associated with the strap. The locking feature is configured for being pulled through the buckle to dispose the cuff body around a nerve in response to a tensile force applied to the strap. The locking feature is configured for abutting an edge of the buckle in response to a release of the tensile force to secure the cuff body around the nerve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrode lead, comprising:
 an elongated lead body having a proximal end and a distal end;   at least one lead connector terminal affixed to the proximal end of the lead body;   a biologically compatible, elastic, electrically insulative cuff body affixed to the distal end of the lead body, the cuff body configured for being circumferentially disposed around a nerve, the cuff body having opposing first and second regions;   at least one electrode contact affixed to the cuff body;   at least one electrical conductor extending through the lead body between the at least one lead connector terminal and the at least one electrode contact;   a strap extending from the first region of the cuff body;   a buckle disposed on the second region of the cuff body; and   at least one raised protuberance disposed on a planar surface of the strap;   wherein the strap with the at least one raised protuberance is configured for being pulled through an aperture of the buckle to dispose the cuff body around the nerve in response to a tensile force applied to the strap; and   wherein one of the at least one raised protuberance is configured for abutting an edge of the buckle in response to a release of the tensile force to secure the cuff body around the nerve.