Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for delivering a stimulation pulse to an elongated fiber forming a tissue of a patient, said device comprising: at least one elongated electrode terminal having a first end and a second end, and a portion therebetween, said terminal adapted for orientation in a direction parallel to said fiber of said tissue which is adjacent to said terminal from said first end to said second end of said terminal, said electrode terminal further comprising a nonconductive facing layer attached to one side of said terminal, said facing layer comprised of a material of decreasing stiffness from said first end to said second end of said terminal, and means for electrically energizing said terminal, whereby the energization of said terminal reduces the nonuniformity of the transmembrane voltage change in the tissue proximate said electrode produced during said stimulation pulse.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for delivering a stimulation pulse to an elongated fiber forming a tissue of a patient, said device comprising: at least one elongated electrode terminal having a first end and a second end, and a portion therebetween, said terminal adapted for orientation in a direction parallel to said fiber of said tissue which is adjacent to said terminal from said first end to said second end of said terminal, said electrode terminal further comprising a nonconductive facing layer attached to one side of said terminal, said facing layer comprised of a material of decreasing stiffness from said first end to said second end of said terminal, and means for electrically energizing said terminal, whereby the energization of said terminal reduces the nonuniformity of the transmembrane voltage change in the tissue proximate said electrode produced during said stimulation pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrode terminal is uninsulated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrode terminal is flexible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second ends of said terminal have a greater resistance than said portion therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrode terminal is flat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrode terminal is preformed so as to lie parallel to said fiber of said tissue which is adjacent to said terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said electrode terminal tapers from said first end to said second end of said terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrode terminal further comprises at least one tine protruding outwardly from said electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and further comprising at least two electrodes laterally interconnected with insulated webbing therebetween.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for delivering a stimulation pulse to an elongated fiber forming a tissue of a patient, said method comprising the steps of: providing an elongated electrode terminal, said terminal having a first end and a second end, and a portion therebetween, orienting said terminal in a direction parallel to said fiber which is adjacent to said electrode terminal from said first end to said second end of said terminal, electrically energizing said terminal, whereby the energization of said terminal reduces the nonuniformity of the transmembrane voltage change in the tissue proximate said electrode produced during said stimulation pulse.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for delivering a stimulation pulse to an elongated fiber forming a tissue of a patient, said method comprising the steps of: providing an elongated electrode terminal, said terminal having a first end and a second end, and a portion therebetween, orienting said terminal in a direction parallel to said fiber which is adjacent to said electrode terminal from said first end to said second end of said terminal, electrically energizing said terminal, whereby the energization of said terminal reduces the nonuniformity of the transmembrane voltage change in the tissue proximate said electrode produced during said stimulation pulse.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for delivering a stimulation pulse to an elongated tissue fiber, said method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of elongated electrode terminals, each of said terminals having a first end and a second end, and a portion therebetween, said electrode terminals being independently positionable with respect to each other, orienting at least one said electrode terminal in a direction parallel to one of said elongated tissue fibers which is adjacent said electrode terminal from said first end to said second end of said terminal, electrically energizing said terminals, whereby the energization of each said terminal reduces the nonuniformity of the transmembrane voltage change in the tissue proximate to said electrode terminal producing said stimulation pulse.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for delivering a stimulation pulse to an elongated tissue fiber, said method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of elongated electrode terminals, each of said terminals having a first end and a second end, and a portion therebetween, said electrode terminals being independently positionable with respect to each other, orienting at least one said electrode terminal in a direction parallel to one of said elongated tissue fibers which is adjacent said electrode terminal from said first end to said second end of said terminal, electrically energizing said terminals, whereby the energization of each said terminal reduces the nonuniformity of the transmembrane voltage change in the tissue proximate to said electrode terminal producing said stimulation pulse.