Cuff electrode having tubular body with controlled closing force

Abstract

Nerve cuff electrodes and methods using nerve cuffs. Nerve cuff electrodes are provided which can include a tubular body having a longitudinal slit and a flap curled over the slit. The tubular body interior can have a central cathode formed of two opposed and electrically coupled plates disposed between two anodes each formed of two opposed and electrically coupled plates. The tube interior region opposite the slit can be free of electrode material, such that the flexibility of the polymeric tube significantly determines the flexibility and strength of tube opening and closing. Some cuffs include a hinge region having a non-linear effective spring constant which can be higher at low cuff openings and lower at large opening to provide an effective yet non-damaging closing force over a wide range of cuff openings. In use, the tube body can be pulled apart using attached suture loops, with one loop and flap pulled under the nerve followed by part of the tubular body. The tubular body can be closed over the nerve and the flap closed over the tube slit. The nerve cuff can be placed minimally invasively over the nerve and used for neuromodulation and/or sensing purposes.