Asymmetric single electrode cuff for generation of unidirectionally propagating action potentials for collision blocking

Claim 2

An asymmetric single electrode cuff system comprising: a sleeve of electrically non-conductive, biocompatible material, the sleeve defining an axial passage therethrough from a first end to a second end, which passage is adapted to receive a nerve trunk therethrough, one and only one annular electrode extending radially around an inner surface of the axial sleeve passage, the electrode being disposed closer to the first end than the second end, a remote electrode physically disconnected and displaced from the axial sleeve, and, a signal generator electrically connected with the axial sleeve electrode and the remote electrode for applying an oscillating current thereacross.

Claim 3

The electrode cuff system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the annular electrode defines a circular passage therethrough.

Claim 4

An asymmetric single electrode cuff comprising: a sleeve of electrically non-conductive, biocompatible material, the sleeve defines an axial passage therethrough from a first end to a second end, which passage is adapted to receive a nerve trunk therethrough, and, one and only one annular electrode is disposed in the axial sleeve passage, the electrode is disposed a first distance from the first end and a second distance from the second end, the first distance is at least 1.7 times as large as the second distance.

Claim 5

An asymmetric single electrode cuff comprising: a sleeve of electrically non-conductive, biocompatible material, the sleeve defines an axial passage therethrough from a first end to a second end, which passage is adapted to receive a nerve trunk therethrough, and, one and only one annular electrode is disposed in the axial sleeve passage, the electrode is disposed a first distance from the first end and a second distance from the second end, the first distance is at least 1.7 times as large as the second distance.

Claim 6

The electrode cuff as set forth in claim 3 wherein the first distance is 7 times the second distance.

Claim 7

The electrode cuff as set forth in claim 4 wherein the first distance is 21 mm, the second distance is 3 mm, and the electrode has an inner diameter of about 1 mm to 2 mm.

Claim 8

An action potential blocking system for selectively, unidirectionally blocking orthodromic action potentials passing along a nerve trunk, the system comprising: an electrode cuff including only a single electrode encircled by a dielectric sleeve, the dielectric sleeve extending a first distance from one side of the single electrode to an escape end and extending a second distance from the other side of the single electrode to an arrest end, the first distance being greater than the second distance, the single electrode and dielectric sleeve being disposed around the nerve trunk; a remote electrode disposed physically displaced and separated from the electrode cuff; a signal generator electrically connected with the electrodes for applying a stimulus current across the electrodes to generate antidromic action potentials in the nerve trunk to collision block the orthodromic action potentials.

Claim 9

An action potential blocking system for selectively, unidirectionally blocking orthodromic action potentials passing along a nerve trunk, the system comprising: an electrode cuff including only a single electrode encircled by a dielectric sleeve, the dielectric sleeve extending a first distance from one side of the single electrode to an escape end and extending a second distance from the other side of the single electrode to an arrest end, the first distance being greater than the second distance, the single electrode and dielectric sleeve being disposed around the nerve trunk; a remote electrode disposed physically displaced and separated from the electrode cuff; a signal generator electrically connected with the electrodes for applying a stimulus current across the electrodes to generate antidromic action potentials in the nerve trunk to collision block the orthodromic action potentials.

Claim 10

The blocking system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the signal generator includes an oscillator for generating the stimulus current such that the stimulus current oscillates cylically, each oscillation cycle of the stimulus current having a first polarity portion and an opposite polarity portion.

Claim 11

The blocking system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the first distance is at least 1.7 times the second distance.

Claim 12

The blocking system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first distance is about 7 times the second distance.

Claim 15

An action potential blocking system for selectively, unidirectionally blocking orthodromic action potentials passing along a nerve trunk, the system comprising: an electrode cuff including one and only one electrode encircled by a dielectric sleeve, the dielectric sleeve extending a first distance from one side of the single electrode to an escape end and extending a second distance from the other side of the single electrode to an arrest end, the single electrode and dielectric sleeve being disposed around the nerve trunk; a remote electrode displaced separate from the electrode cuff; an oscillating means for generating a cylically oscillating current which has oscillation cycles that each include a first polarity portion and a second polarity portion, the first and second polarity portions of each cycle having a balanced net change flow; and, a means for applying the oscilalting current across the cuff electrode and the remote electrode such that the first polarity portions generate unidirectional antidromic action potentials traveling along the nerve trunk from the electrode cuff escape end and the second polarity portions balance net charge flow in the nerve trunk without generating an action potential.

Claim 16

An action potential blocking system for selectively, unidirectionally blocking orthodromic action potentials passing along a nerve trunk, the system comprising: an electrode cuff including one and only one electrode encircled by a dielectric sleeve, the dielectric sleeve extending a first distance from one side of the single electrode to an escape end and extending a second distance from the other side of the single electrode to an arrest end, the single electrode and dielectric sleeve being disposed around the nerve trunk; a remote electrode displaced separate from the electrode cuff; an oscillating means for generating a cylically oscillating current which has oscillation cycles that each include a first polarity portion and a second polarity portion, the first and second polarity portions of each cycle having a balanced net change flow; and, a means for applying the oscilalting current across the cuff electrode and the remote electrode such that the first polarity portions generate unidirectional antidromic action potentials traveling along the nerve trunk from the electrode cuff escape end and the second polarity portions balance net charge flow in the nerve trunk without generating an action potential.

Claim 17

The blocking system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the first distance is at least 1.7 times the second distance.

Claim 18

The blocking system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the first distance is about 7 times the second distance.