# US 10,765,859 B2 · Neural sleeve for neuromuscular stimulation, sensing and recording

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- Number: US 10,765,859 B2
- Document ID: US10765859B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/578,816
- Filed: 2016-06-02
- Published: 2018-06-07
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2015-06-02
- Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute
- Applicants: Battelle Memorial Institute
- Inventors: Chad E. Bouton; Gaurav Sharma; Andrew Sweeney; Amy M. Heintz; Stephanie Kute; Nicholas Annetta; Thomas D. Haubert; Steven M. Risser; Jeffrey Friend; John Bartholomew; Rachel Thurston; C. Alexander Morrow; George Brand; Jeffrey Ellis; Matthew Mowrer; Raymond Zaborski
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765859B2

## CPC

- A61N 1/0556: {Cuff electrodes}
- A61B 5/1127: {using markers}
- A61B 5/251: Means for maintaining electrode contact with the body
- A61B 5/293: Invasive
- A61B 5/375: using biofeedback
- A61B 5/395: Details of stimulation, e.g. nerve stimulation to elicit EMG response
- A61B 5/4836: {Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods (A61B5/0036 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/686: {Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips (A61B5/6861 takes precedence)}
- A61N 1/0452: {Specially adapted for transcutaneous muscle stimulation [TMS]}
- A61N 1/0456: {Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]}
- A61B 5/11: Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb {(A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721)}
- A61N 1/0476: {Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)}
- A61N 1/048: {Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode}
- A61N 1/0484: {Garment electrodes worn by the patient}
- A61N 1/36003: {of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance}
- 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)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

The present disclosure relates to neuromuscular stimulation and sensing cuffs. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff has at least two fingers and a plurality of electrodes disposed on each finger. More generally, the neuromuscular stimulation cuff includes an outer, reusable component and an inner, disposable component. One or more electrodes are housed within the reusable component. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff may be produced by providing an insulating substrate layer, forming a conductive circuit on the substrate layer to form a conductive circuit layer, adhering a cover layer onto the conductive circuit layer to form a flexible circuit, and cutting at least one flexible finger from the flexible circuit. The neuromuscular stimulation cuff employs a flexible multi-electrode design which allows for reanimation of complex muscle movements in a patient, including individual finger movement.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for neuromuscular stimulation, comprising:
a reusable sleeve;
electrodes housed within the reusable sleeve; and
an inner disposable sleeve comprising a conductive medium in contact with the electrodes;
wherein the conductive medium comprises a hydrogel which is more conductive in a z-direction than in a x-direction or a y-direction.

### Claim 2

A device for neuromuscular stimulation, comprising:
a reusable sleeve;
electrodes housed within the reusable sleeve; and
an inner disposable sleeve comprising a conductive medium in contact with the electrodes;
wherein a conductivity of the conductive medium increases upon application of external pressure in a direction of the external pressure.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein the conductive medium comprises a compressible polymer and a conductive filler dispersed in the compressible polymer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device of claim 3, wherein the conductive filler comprises carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, or metallic particles.

### Claim 5

A device for neuromuscular stimulation, comprising:
a reusable sleeve;
electrodes housed within the reusable sleeve; and
an inner disposable sleeve comprising a conductive medium in contact with the electrodes;
wherein the conductive medium is dry in an initial state and becomes tacky upon application of an electrical current.

### Claim 6

A device for neuromuscular stimulation, comprising:
a reusable sleeve;
electrodes housed within the reusable sleeve; and
an inner disposable sleeve comprising a conductive medium in contact with the electrodes;
wherein the conductive medium is dry in an initial state and becomes tacky upon a change in temperature.

### Claim 7

A device for neuromuscular stimulation, comprising:
a reusable sleeve;
electrodes housed within the reusable sleeve; and
an inner disposable sleeve comprising a conductive medium in contact with the electrodes;
wherein the conductive medium is dry in an initial state and becomes tacky upon a change in pH.

### Claim 8

A device for neuromuscular stimulation, comprising:
a reusable sleeve;
electrodes housed within the reusable sleeve; and
an inner disposable sleeve comprising a conductive medium in contact with the electrodes;
wherein the conductive medium is dry in an initial state and becomes tacky upon a change in moisture.