Patent US4730249A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3774618A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3774618A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable nerve stimulation electrode
Assignee: Avery Labor Inc
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Filing: 1972-07-03
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A relatively thin and flexible strip of inert plastic having electrodes and lead wires encapsulated therein is provided for implantation about a single nerve so that electrical stimuli may be applied thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 R Avery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0551; A61N1/0556
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A device implantable in a living body for the electrical stimulation of a single nerve, said device comprising: a. a relatively thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body tissues and fluids; b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive electrode means secured to a surface of said strip, said electrode means comprising cup-shaped noble metal meMbers with the edge of said cup-shaped members bearing against said strip of insulating material; c. a staple for securing each said electrode means to said strip of insulating material, said staple being welded to the inside of said respective cup-shaped member, said staples having legs crimped against the side of said strip of insulating material that is opposite to that to which said cup-shaped members are secured; d. first conductive lead means electrically and physically coupled to said electrode means and welded to said staples, said first conductive lead means being of relatively high tensile strength; and e. second conductive lead means secured to each said high tensile strength first lead means, said second conductive lead means comprising bundles of stainless steel filaments in the order of twelve microns diameter, said bundles containing from 50 to 450 filaments.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
A device implantable in a living body for the electrical stimulation of a single nerve, said device comprising: a. a relatively thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body tissues and fluids; b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive electrode means secured to a surface of said strip, said electrode means comprising cup-shaped noble metal meMbers with the edge of said cup-shaped members bearing against said strip of insulating material; c. a staple for securing each said electrode means to said strip of insulating material, said staple being welded to the inside of said respective cup-shaped member, said staples having legs crimped against the side of said strip of insulating material that is opposite to that to which said cup-shaped members are secured; d. first conductive lead means electrically and physically coupled to said electrode means and welded to said staples, said first conductive lead means being of relatively high tensile strength; and e. second conductive lead means secured to each said high tensile strength first lead means, said second conductive lead means comprising bundles of stainless steel filaments in the order of twelve microns diameter, said bundles containing from 50 to 450 filaments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electrically insulating strip is molded in a U-shape with the ends thereof in spaced confronting relationship, said electrode means being on the inside surface of said shaped strip and in spaced opposition to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said ends of said strip are transversely enlarged with respect to the central portion of said strip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said strip is made of a plastic material that may be opened to a flat configuration and which is characterized by a built-in memory that will return the strip to said U-shaped configuration upon the release of pressure whereby a nerve positioned between the legs of said U-shaped strip will be contacted by said electrode means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insulating material is a silicone rubber composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a material for reinforcing said silicone rubber.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
161 words
A device adapted to be implanted within a living body and in contact with a single nerve for the electrical stimulation thereof, said device comprising: a. a relatively non-elastic thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body fluids and tissues, said strip being defined by a central, integral hinge section and two spaced apart ends contiguous with said central section, said strip being molded in a U-shape with the ends thereof in spaced confronting relationship; b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive rigid electrode means secured to a surface of said strip in the central section thereof, said electrode means being on the inside surface of said strip in each leg of said U-shape and in spaced apart opposition to each other whereby a very light ''''kissing'''' contact is made between said electrode means and the nerve when said device is emplanted; and c. first conductive lead means electrically and physically coupled to said electrode means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
161 words
A device adapted to be implanted within a living body and in contact with a single nerve for the electrical stimulation thereof, said device comprising: a. a relatively non-elastic thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body fluids and tissues, said strip being defined by a central, integral hinge section and two spaced apart ends contiguous with said central section, said strip being molded in a U-shape with the ends thereof in spaced confronting relationship; b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive rigid electrode means secured to a surface of said strip in the central section thereof, said electrode means being on the inside surface of said strip in each leg of said U-shape and in spaced apart opposition to each other whereby a very light ''''kissing'''' contact is made between said electrode means and the nerve when said device is emplanted; and c. first conductive lead means electrically and physically coupled to said electrode means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said ends of said strip are transversely enlarged with respect to said central portion of said strip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said strip is made of a plastic material that may be opened to a flat configuration and which is characterized by a built-in memory that will return said strip to said U-shaped configuration upon the release of pressure whereby a nerve positioned between the legs of said U-shaped member will be contacted by said electrode means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said electrode means comprise cup-shaped noble metal members with the edge of said cup-shaped members bearing against said strip of insulating material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said insulating material is a silicone rubber composition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a material for reinforcing said silicone rubber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device in accordance with claim 7 further including a staple for seCuring each said electrode means to said strip of insulating material, said staples being welded to the inside of said respective cup-shaped member, said staples having legs crimped against the side of said strip of insulating material that is opposite to that to which said cup-shaped members are secured.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device in accordance with claim 13 wherein said first conductive lead means is of relatively high tensile strength and are welded to said staples.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device in accordance with claim 14 further including second conductive lead means secured to each said high tensile strength first lead means, said second conductive lead means comprising bundles of stainless steel filaments in the order of twelve microns in diameter, said bundles containing from 50 to 450 filaments.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device in accordance with claim 15 further including a physiologically inert sheath within which said second lead means are secured.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
120 words
A device adapted to be implanted within a living body and in contact with a single nerve for the electrical stimulation thereof, said device comprising: a. a relatively non-elastic thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body fluids and tissues, said strip being defined by a central, integral hinge section and two spaced apart ends contiguous with said central section; b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive rigid electrode means secured to a surface of said strip in the central section thereof whereby a very light ''''kissing'''' contact is made between said electrode means and the nerve when said device is implanted; and c. conductive lead means electrically and physically coupled to said electrode means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
120 words
A device adapted to be implanted within a living body and in contact with a single nerve for the electrical stimulation thereof, said device comprising: a. a relatively non-elastic thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body fluids and tissues, said strip being defined by a central, integral hinge section and two spaced apart ends contiguous with said central section; b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive rigid electrode means secured to a surface of said strip in the central section thereof whereby a very light ''''kissing'''' contact is made between said electrode means and the nerve when said device is implanted; and c. conductive lead means electrically and physically coupled to said electrode means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device in accordance with claim 17 wherein said strip is molded in a U-shape with the ends thereof in spaced confronting relationship, said electrode means being on the inside surface of said shaped strip in each leg of said U-shape and in spaced opposition to each other.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device in accordance with claim 17 wherein said electrode means comprise cup-shaped noble metal members with the edge of the cups bearing against said strip of insulating material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein said insulating material is a silicone rubber composition.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
249 words
A device adapted to be implanted within a living body and in contact with a single nerve for the electrical stimulation thereof, said device comprising: a. relatively thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body fluids and tissues, said strip being defined by a central section and two spaced apart ends contiguous with said central section, said strip being molded in a U-shape with the ends thereof in spaced confronting relationship; b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive cup-shaped noble metal electrode means secured to a surface of said strip in the central section thereof, the edge of said cup-shaped members bearing against said strip of insulating materials said electrode means being on the inside surface of said strip in each leg of said U-shape and in spaced opposition to each other; c. a staple for securing each said electrode means to said strip of insulating material, said staples being welded to the inside of said respective cup-shaped member, said staples having legs crimped against the side of said strip of insulating material that is opposite to that to which said cup-shaped members are secured; d. first conductive lead means of relatively high tensile strength electrically and physically welded to said staples; and e. second conductive lead means secured to said high tensile strength first lead means, said second conductive lead means comprising bundles of stainless steel filaments in the order of 12 microns in diameter, said bundles containing from 50 to 450 filaments.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
249 words
A device adapted to be implanted within a living body and in contact with a single nerve for the electrical stimulation thereof, said device comprising: a. relatively thin strip of flexible, electrically insulating material that is inert to body fluids and tissues, said strip being defined by a central section and two spaced apart ends contiguous with said central section, said strip being molded in a U-shape with the ends thereof in spaced confronting relationship; b. at least two substantially flat, electrically conductive cup-shaped noble metal electrode means secured to a surface of said strip in the central section thereof, the edge of said cup-shaped members bearing against said strip of insulating materials said electrode means being on the inside surface of said strip in each leg of said U-shape and in spaced opposition to each other; c. a staple for securing each said electrode means to said strip of insulating material, said staples being welded to the inside of said respective cup-shaped member, said staples having legs crimped against the side of said strip of insulating material that is opposite to that to which said cup-shaped members are secured; d. first conductive lead means of relatively high tensile strength electrically and physically welded to said staples; and e. second conductive lead means secured to said high tensile strength first lead means, said second conductive lead means comprising bundles of stainless steel filaments in the order of 12 microns in diameter, said bundles containing from 50 to 450 filaments.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device in accordance with claim 21 further including a physiological inert sheath witHin which said second lead means are secured.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device in accordance with claim 21 wherein said ends of said strip are transversely enlarged with respect to said central portion of said strip.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
64 words
The device in accordance with claim 21 wherein said strip is made of a plastic material that may be opened to a flat configuration and which is characterized by a built-in memory that will return said strip to said U-shaped configuration upon the release of pressure whereby a nerve positioned between the legs of said U-shaped member will be contacted by said electrode means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device in accordance with claim 21 wherein said insulating material is a silicone rubber composition.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device in accordance with claim 25 further comprising a material for reinforcing said silicone rubber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |