Apparatuses and systems for applying electrical stimulation to a patient

An implantable electrode assembly comprising:

• a flexible support member;
• a first electrode carried by the support member;
• at least a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and carried by the support member;
• and
• a lead electrically connecting the first electrode to the second electrode.

An implantable electrode assembly comprising:

• a flexible support member;
• at least one electrode carried by the support member, the electrode having a surface with a groove;
• and
• an electrical lead at least partially disposed in the groove, the lead configured to connect the electrode to a stimulus unit for biasing of the electrode at an electrical potential.

An implantable electrode assembly comprising:

• a flexible support member;
• at least one electrode carried by the support member, the electrode having a first surface positioned to contact a portion of a patient and a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface;
• and
• a lead contacting the electrode at least generally between the first surface and the second surface.

An implantable electrode assembly comprising:

• a flexible support member;
• a first electrode carried by the support member, the first electrode having a first surface positioned to contact a portion of a patient and a second surface positioned opposite to the first surface;
• a second electrode carried by the support member, the second electrode having a third surface positioned to contact a portion of the patient and a fourth surface positioned opposite to the third surface;
• and
• an electrical lead at least partially carried by the support member, the lead contacting the first electrode at a first location positioned at least generally between the first surface and the second surface, the lead further contacting the second electrode at a second location positioned least generally between the third surface and the fourth surface.

An implantable electrode assembly comprising:

• a flexible support member;
• a first electrode carried by the support member;
• at least a second electrode carried by the support member;
• an electrical lead carried by the support member, the lead contacting the first electrode and the second electrode;
• and
• a cable extending outwardly from the support member, the cable including a tube at least partially housing the lead, the cable further including a cable end at least partially received by the support member, wherein the first electrode is positioned a first distance from the cable end and the second electrode is positioned a second distance from the cable end, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance, and wherein the lead extends from the cable end to the first electrode and then from the first electrode to the second electrode.

An implantable electrode assembly comprising:

• a flexible support member having a first end spaced apart from a second end defining a width therebetween, the support member further having a length transverse to the width, the length being less than the width;
• a first electrode carried by the support member;
• at least a second electrode carried by the support member and spaced apart from the first electrode;
• and
• at least a first lead carried by the support member and electrically connected to at least the first electrode, wherein the first lead is at least partially housed in a cable attached to the support member between the first and second ends.

A system for applying electrical stimulation at a site proximate to a surface of the cortex of a patient, the system comprising:

• a stimulus unit having a pulse system including a first terminal that can be biased at a first potential and a second terminal that can be biased at a second potential;
• and
• an implantable electrode assembly having:
• a flexible support member;
• a first electrode carried by the support member;
• at least a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and carried by the support member;
• and
• a lead electrically connecting the first electrode to the second electrode, wherein the lead is configured to be connected to the first terminal for biasing of the first and second electrodes at the first potential.

A method of manufacturing an implantable electrode assembly, the method comprising:

• forming a first portion of a flexible support member;
• forming a second portion of the flexible support member, the second portion of the support member configured to carry at least a portion of at least one electrode having a groove;
• disposing an electrical lead in the groove of the electrode;
• and
• disposing at least a portion of the electrode in the second portion of the support member.

A method of manufacturing an implantable electrode assembly, the method comprising:

• forming at least a portion of a flexible support member;
• installing a first electrode in the portion of the support member;
• installing at least a second electrode in the portion of the support member;
• and
• connecting the first electrode to the second electrode with an electrical lead.

An implantable electrode assembly comprising:

• a flexible support member;
• at least one electrode carried by the support member;
• an electrical lead configured to connect the electrode to a stimulus unit for biasing of the electrode at an electrical potential;
• and
• a resistance weld attaching the electrical lead to the electrode.

A method of manufacturing an implantable electrode assembly, the method comprising:

• positioning an implantable electrode on a first weld tool;
• positioning an electrical lead in contact with the implantable electrode;
• sandwiching the lead and the electrode between the first weld tool and a second weld tool;
• and
• applying electrical current though the first and second weld tools to resistance weld the lead to the electrode.