Nerve cuff having one or more isolated chambers

Abstract

A nerve cuff has one or more sets of electrodes for selectively recording electrical activity in a nerve or for selectively stimulating regions of the nerve. Each set of electrodes is located in a longitudinally extending chamber between a pair of longitudinal ridges which project into the bore of the nerve cuff. The ridges are electrically insulating and serve to improve the selectivity of the nerve cuff. The ridges seal against an outer surface of the nerve without penetrating the nerve. Nerve cuffs according to the invention may be used in functional electrical stimulation systems. Electrodes may be replaced with fine tubes to enable pharmacological agents to be delivered selectively through the tubes to portions of a nerve passing through the cuff or to permit the sampling of fluids from regions adjacent selected outer portions of the nerve. The nerve cuff may be constructed of modular segments which can be selected to provide a customized fit to the shape and size of a nerve at time of implantation.