Corrugated inter-fascicular nerve cuff method and apparatus
US5634462A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49117
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A corrugated sheet of non-conductive biocompatible material is biased to circumferentially contract around a nerve or other body tissue. Conductive members are disposed on inwardly projecting portions of the corrugated sheet formed into a cylinder around the nerve. The conductive segments are electrically conductive for applying or recording electrical impulses or fluid conductive for infusing medications or draining fluids from the nerve. The corrugated sheet, when wrapped around a nerve, is self-biased to slowly controllably contract to its original size. Over a period of a few days, electrodes disposed on the sheet corrugations become embedded in the nerve without damage to the perineurium membrane surrounding the nerve axons. The electrodes and corrugations displace the fascicles of the nerve rather than damaging them by piercing the perineurium membrane. The epineurium membrane is initially pierced but rejunivates around the contracted nerve cuff over time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.