초록 ▼

A nerve trunk (A) has an annular electrode cuff (B) positioned therearound for imposing electrical signals on to the nerve trunk for the purpose of generating unidirectionally propagated action potentials. The electrode cuff includes an annular cathode (30) having a circular passage therethrough of

A nerve trunk (A) has an annular electrode cuff (B) positioned therearound for imposing electrical signals on to the nerve trunk for the purpose of generating unidirectionally propagated action potentials. The electrode cuff includes an annular cathode (30) having a circular passage therethrough of a first diameter. An annular anode (40) has a larger circular passage therethrough of a second diameter, which second diameter is about 1.2 to 3.0 times the first diameter. A non-conductive sheath (50) extends around the anode, cathode, and nerve trunk. The anode and cathode are placed asymmetrically to one side of the non-conductive sheath. Specifically, a first length (L1) along the electrode sheath between a first end (56) and the cathode is at least twice a second length (L2) between the anode and cathode. A third length (L3) between the anode and a second end (58) of the conductive sheath is smaller than the first or second lengths. With this geometry, the majority of the current applied to the anode electrode flows to the cathode along path segments (62b and 62d) with lesser amounts of current flowing in the path segments (64a), (64b), (66a), and (66b).

대표청구항 ▼

An electrode cuff for introducing unidirectionally propagated action potentials in a single direction on a nerve trunk, the cuff comprising: a generally annular cathode defining a first passage therethrough of a first diameter; a generally annular anode defining a second passage therethrough of a se

An electrode cuff for introducing unidirectionally propagated action potentials in a single direction on a nerve trunk, the cuff comprising: a generally annular cathode defining a first passage therethrough of a first diameter; a generally annular anode defining a second passage therethrough of a second diameter, the second diameter being 1.2 to 3.0 times as large as the first diameter such that the cathode is more proximate to the nerve trunk passing therethrough than the anode; and, an insulating shield extending from a first end thereof to the cathode, from the cathode to the anode, and from the anode to a second end thereof, a distance between the cathode and the first end being at least twice a distance between the cathode and the anode.