Indiana University

Nathaniel Lazorchak

Michael Ryne Horn

Awadh Al Hawwash

Onna Marie Doering

Kenichi Yoshida

Christian Phillip Vetter

Nerve stimulation via a Low Frequency Alternating Current (LFAC) waveform can result in blocking of action potential conduction, while an increase in LFAC frequency and/or amplitude can translate into nerve activation. As LFAC for nerve blocking is frequency independent, the threshold LFAC activation can decrease with increasing frequency. Thus, frequency and amplitude settings can determine whether LFAC activates or blocks nerve fibers. LFAC can also be orderly, wherein smaller, non-fatiguing nerve fibers can be activated before larger nerve fibers. LFAC settings for activation can also be influenced by the configuration of a cuff assembly that positions an electrode along a nerve. The cuff can position a nerve in a cuff through hole, and a sliding closure of the cuff can be slide into a radial opening to substantially lock the nerve in the cuff assembly. An electrode material is positioned within a window of the cuff and is connected to an electrical lead. An interface coating on a nerve-facing bioelectric surface of an electrode material, and related compositions and methods, are also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

Nathaniel Lazorchak