Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research

Receptor Holdings, Inc.

Joseph L Calderon

Gregory F Molnar

Brian R Dearden

Siegmar Schmidt

Boon Khai Ng

Harshit R Suri

William A Dai

George S Goding, Jr

Alanie Atyabi

Desmond B Keenan

Neil Hamilton Talbot

Ross Davis

William Andrew Brandt

Christopher Reed Jenney

Joseph Lockhart

Arthur I Rubinfeld

Michael R Perrin

Oren Gotlib

Kenneth L Ripley

Delta Mishler

Edward Hillery

An electrode that includes an elongate lead body and a nerve cuff. The nerve cuff may include a biologically compatible, elastic, electrically insulative cuff body configured to be circumferentially disposed around a nerve, first and second relatively wide electrically conductive contacts carried by the cuff body that are spaced from one another in the length direction and that extend in the width direction to such an extent that they extend completely around the cuff body inner lumen when the cuff body is in the pre-set furled shape, and a plurality of relatively narrow electrically conductive contacts carried by the cuff body that are spaced from one another in the width direction and are located between the first and second relatively wide electrically conductive contacts.

Electrode leads having nerve cuffs and associated systems and methods

An electrode lead comprises a lead body, connector contacts affixed to the proximal end of the lead body, and a cuff body affixed to the distal end of the lead body. The cuff body is pre-shaped to transition from an unfurled state to a furled state, wherein the cuff body, when in the furled state has an inner surface for contacting a nerve and an overlapping inner cuff region and an outer cuff region. The electrode lead further comprise electrode contacts circumferentially disposed along the cuff body when in the furled state, such that at least one of the electrode contacts is located on the inner surface of the cuff body, and at least another of the electrode contacts is located between the overlapping inner and outer cuff regions. The electrode lead further comprises electrical conductors extending through the lead body respectively between the connector contacts and the electrode contacts.

Stimulator systems and methods for selectively recruiting fascicles in hypoglossal nerve trunk

An electrode lead comprises an electrically insulative cuff body and at least three axially aligned electrode contacts circumferentially disposed along the inner surface of the cuff body when in the furled state. The electrode contacts may be circumferentially disposed around a nerve, and an electrical pulse train may be delivered to the electrode contacts thereby stimulating the nerve to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The electrical pulse train may be one that pre-conditions peripherally located nerve fascicles to not be stimulated, while stimulating centrally located nerve fascicles. A feedback mechanism can be used to titrate electrode contacts and electrical pulse train to the patient. A sensor that is affixed to the case of a neurostimulator can be used to measure physiological artifacts of respiration, and a motion detector can be used to sense tapping of the neurostimulator to toggle the neurostimulator between an ON position and an OFF position.

Stimulator systems and methods for obstructive sleep apnea

Inhaler device

An interface for coupling with a percutaneously implantable lead is described. The interface includes a rotation based system to engage the terminal connector of the lead. The interface includes a brake which retains the lead in the lead port through friction, but allows the lead to exit the lead port if sufficient force is applied. The interface can be coupled with the lead without removing a stylet or stiffening wire from the lead.

EPG leaded interface

Surgical dilators with tips having curved tapers and with a minimal distance between the distal and proximal ends of the dilator tips provide for precision placement of miniature medical devices at a target area in a body with reduced insertion force. A contour of a longitudinal cross section of the dilator tip comprises a first convex portion extending from the distal end to a first interface; a concave portion extending from the first interface to a second interface; and a second convex portion extending from the second interface to a third interface at the proximal end. The first convex portion and the second convex portion are convex relative to an interior of the tip and the concave portion is concave relative to the interior of the tip.

Surgical dilators with tips having curved tapers

Suture tracking dilators and methods for removing implanted medical devices such as microstimulators or microsensors from living tissue are described. A suture tracking dilator has a slit running along its axial length. The slit can have a curved portion. A suture is attached to a medical device prior to its implantation. To remove the implanted medical device, the free end of the suture is exposed and inserted in the slit in the suture tracking dilator. The suture is held under tension at its free end, the dilator is inserted in the living tissue and the dilator follows the suture to the implanted medical device. The medical device is removed by pulling on the free end of the suture.

Suture tracking dilators and related methods

The invention is a hollow electrode implantation device for inserting a flexible electrode, such as a Memberg electrode, in living tissue. The inserter has a longitudinal slot that accepts the electrode into the hollow center of the electrode implantation device. The slot is offset at least once forming one or more offset slots, where retainer tabs define the slots and assure retention of the electrode in the implantation device during insertion of the electrode into living tissue.

Electrode implant device

Growing community of inventors

Culver City, CA, United States of America

Joseph L Calderon