Slowly penetrating inter-fascicular nerve cuff electrode and method of using

摘要

A self-curling sheet of a non-conductive material is biased to curl into a tight cylinder. Inwardly extending conductive members are disposed on the surface of the sheet forming the inside of the cylinder. Circumferentially separated longitudinal slices are made in the cylinder adjacent the conductive members forming spring members such that, as the sheet relaxes over time, the electrodes on the spring members engage and pierce a nerve surrounded by the cuff. The conductive segments may be electrically conductive for applying electrical impulses or fluid conductive for infusing medications. In use, a first edge of the self- curling sheet is disposed adjacent a nerve trunk which is to receive the cuff therearound. The self-curling sheet is controllably permitted to curl around the nerve into its original cylindrical shape. Over a period of a few days, electrodes riding on spring members formed by longitudinal slices into the cylinder are embedded in the nerve without damage to the perineurium membrane surrounding the nerve axons. The electrodes displace the fascicles rather than damaging them by piercing the perineurium.