Self-locking electrode assembly usable with an implantable medical device

Abstract

An electrode assembly for an implantable medical device, including a spine, and a plurality of electrodes protruding from the spine. At least two electrodes protrude from the spine in opposing directions and define a nerve-receiving channel. When the electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and the electrodes are in a relaxed state position, the nerve receiving channel comprises a cross-sectional area that is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a nerve to which the electrode assembly is adapted to be coupled. And when coupled to the nerve, each electrode wraps around and directly contacts at least 60% of the circumference of the nerve.

1 . An electrode assembly for an implantable medical device, comprising: a spine; and a plurality of electrodes protruding from the spine, wherein at least two electrodes protrude from the spine in opposing directions and define a nerve-receiving channel; wherein, when said electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and said electrodes are in a relaxed state position, said nerve receiving channel comprises a cross-sectional area that is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a nerve to which the electrode assembly is adapted to be coupled; and wherein, when coupled to said nerve, each electrode wraps around and directly contacts at least 60% of the circumference of the nerve. 
     
     
         2 . The electrode assembly of  claim 1  wherein, when said electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and said electrodes are in a relaxed state position, the cross-sectional area of the nerve receiving channel is less than 80% of the cross-sectional area of the nerve. 
     
     
         3 . The electrode assembly of  claim 2  wherein, when said electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and said electrodes are in a relaxed state position, the cross-sectional area of the nerve receiving channel is less than 60% of the cross-sectional area of the nerve. 
     
     
         4 . The electrode assembly of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of electrodes comprises at least three electrodes and at least two electrodes adjacent one another along the spine protrude from the spine in a common direction. 
     
     
         5 . The electrode assembly of  claim 1  wherein said spine includes a plurality of electrical conductors, and wherein each conductor is coupled to at least one electrode, and is electrically insulated from all other of said electrical conductors. 
     
     
         6 . An implantable medical device, comprising: a pulse generator; a lead assembly coupled to said pulse generator; and an electrode assembly coupled to said lead assembly, wherein the electrode assembly comprises a spine and a plurality of electrodes protruding from the spine, and wherein at least two electrodes protrude from the spine in opposing directions and define a nerve-receiving channel; wherein, when said electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and said electrodes are in a relaxed state position, said nerve receiving channel comprises a cross-sectional area that is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a nerve to which the electrode assembly is adapted to be coupled; and wherein, when coupled to said nerve, each electrode wraps around and directly contacts at least 70% of the circumference of the nerve. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable medical device of  claim 6  wherein, when said electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and said electrodes are in a relaxed state position, the cross-sectional area of the nerve receiving channel is less than 80% of the cross-sectional area of the nerve. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable medical device of  claim 7  wherein, when said electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and said electrodes are in a relaxed state position, the cross-sectional area of the nerve receiving channel is less than 60% of the cross-sectional area of the nerve. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable medical device of  claim 6  wherein said plurality of electrodes comprises at least three electrodes and at least two electrodes adjacent one another along the spine protrude from the spine in a common direction. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable medical device of  claim 6  wherein said spine includes a plurality of electrical conductors, and wherein each conductor is coupled to at least one electrode, and is electrically insulated from all other of said electrical conductors. 
     
     
         11 . An electrode assembly usable with an implantable medical device, comprising: a spine; and a plurality of curved fingers protruding from said spine, wherein at least two fingers protrude from the spine in opposing directions and define a nerve-receiving channel, and wherein at least one of said fingers comprises an electrode that is adapted to electrically contact a nerve; wherein, when said electrode assembly is not coupled to the nerve and said fingers are in a relaxed state position, said nerve-receiving channel comprises a cross-sectional area that is substantially less than a cross-sectional area of a nerve to which the electrode assembly is adapted to be coupled; and wherein, when coupled to said nerve, all of said fingers contact the nerve on a partial outer surface of the nerve, said partial outer surface extending circumferentially at least approximately 40% of the circumference of the nerve. 
     
     
         12 . The electrode assembly of  claim 11  wherein each finger wraps around and directly contacts at least 70% of the circumference of the nerve. 
     
     
         13 . The electrode assembly of  claim 11  wherein at least two fingers comprise an electrode. 
     
     
         14 . The electrode assembly of  claim 11  wherein, when said electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and said fingers are in a relaxed state position, the cross-sectional area of the nerve receiving channel is less than 80% of the cross-sectional area of the nerve. 
     
     
         15 . The electrode assembly of  claim 14  wherein, when said electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and said fingers are in a relaxed state position, the cross-sectional area of the nerve receiving channel is less than 60% of the cross-sectional area of the nerve. 
     
     
         16 . An electrode assembly for an implantable medical device, comprising: a spine; and a plurality of electrodes protruding from the spine, wherein at least two electrodes protrude from the spine in opposing directions and define a nerve-receiving channel; wherein, when said electrode assembly is not coupled to a nerve and said electrodes are in a relaxed state position, said nerve receiving channel comprises a cross-sectional area that is less than 80% of the cross-sectional area of a nerve to which the electrode assembly is adapted to be coupled.