# US 10,441,782 B2 · Therapy delivery devices and methods for non-damaging neural tissue conduction block > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,782 B2 - Document ID: US10441782B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/106,092 - Filed: 2018-08-21 - Published: 2019-02-28 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-15 - Assignees: Case Western Reserve University - Applicants: Case Western Reserve University - Inventors: Niloy Bhadra; Kevin L. Kilgore; Narendra Bhadra; Jesse Wainright; Tina Vrabec; Manfred Franke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441782B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/0556: {Cuff electrodes} - A61N 1/06: for high-frequency therapy - A61N 1/20: continuous direct currents - A61N 1/36064: {Epilepsy} - A61N 1/36067: {Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease (stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003)} - A61N 1/36071: {Pain} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrode, comprising: at least one contact configured to be in electrical communication with neural tissue and further configured to deliver a therapy signal to the neural tissue, wherein the at least one contact comprises a high charge capacity material that limits formation of irreversible reaction products when the therapy signal delivers a charge of 100 μC or more to the neural tissue. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrode of claim 1, wherein the therapy signal comprises at least one direct current (DC) with at least one polarity. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrode of claim 1, wherein the therapy signal comprises HFAC. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrode of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact has a geometric surface area of at least about 1 mm2. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electrode of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact is fabricated of the high charge capacity material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electrode of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact comprises a base body that is at least partially coated with the high charge capacity material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electrode of claim 1, wherein the high charge capacity material is platinum black, iridium oxide, titanium nitride, tantalum, poly(ethylenedioxythiophene), or combinations thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electrode of claim 1, further comprising a nerve cuff housing the at least one contact. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrode of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact is monopolar. ### Claim 10 An electrode, comprising: at least one contact configured to be in electrical communication with electrically excitable tissue and further configured to deliver a therapy signal to the excitable tissue, wherein the at least one contact comprises a high charge capacity material that limits formation of irreversible reaction products when the therapy signal delivers a charge of 100 μC or more to the excitable tissue. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The electrode of claim 10, wherein the therapy signal comprises at least one direct current (DC) with at least one polarity. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The electrode of claim 10, wherein the therapy signal comprises HFAC. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The electrode of claim 10, wherein the at least one contact has a geometric surface area of at least about 1 mm2. ### Claim 14 A method comprising placing at least one contact of an electrode in electrical communication with excitable tissue; and delivering a therapy signal through the at least one contact to the excitable tissue; wherein the at least one contact comprises a high charge capacity material that limits formation of irreversible reaction products when the therapy signal delivers a charge of 100 μC or more to the excitable tissue. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the excitable tissue comprises spinal nerves. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the excitable tissue comprises brain tissue. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the excitable tissue comprises ganglia. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising blocking signal transmission through at least a portion of the neural tissue based on the application of the therapy signal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the therapy signal comprises a current that delivers the charge of 100 μC or more to the neural tissue. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one contact has a geometric surface area of at least about 1 mm2.