Construction of electrode assembly for nerve control

Apparatus for applying current to a nerve, comprising:

• a housing, adapted to be placed in a vicinity of the nerve;
• at least one electrode, fixed to the housing such that the at least one electrode does not come in direct physical contact with the nerve, the at least one electrode having an electrode surface axial length;
• and
• two end insulating elements, fixed to the housing such that the at least one electrode is between the end insulating elements, the end insulating elements shaped so as to define, upon placement of the housing, a nerve axial distance between the end insulating elements that is less than the electrode surface axial length.

Apparatus for applying current to a nerve, comprising:

• a housing, adapted to be placed in a vicinity of the nerve;
• at least one electrode, fixed to the housing such that the at least one electrode does not come in direct physical contact with the nerve;
• and
• two end insulating elements, fixed to the housing such that the at least one electrode is between the end insulating elements, wherein at least one of the end insulating elements is shaped so as to define a rough surface that is adapted to be in physical contact with the nerve when the housing is placed in the vicinity of the nerve.

Apparatus for applying current to a nerve, comprising:

• a housing, adapted to be placed in a vicinity of the nerve;
• at least one electrode, fixed to the housing such that the at least one electrode does not come in direct physical contact with the nerve;
• and
• two end insulating elements, fixed to the housing such that the at least one electrode is between the end insulating elements, at least one of the end insulating elements shaped so as to define a contact surface between the end insulating element and the nerve,
• wherein the contact surface is configured so as to promote connective tissue growth between the nerve and the contact surface.

A method, comprising:

• providing insulating elements at two longitudinal insulation sites of a nerve;
• promoting connective tissue growth between the nerve and at least one of the insulating elements;
• and
• applying an electrical current to the nerve from at least one current application site that is not in direct physical contact with the nerve, the current application site longitudinally between the insulation sites.

A method comprising:

• placing a housing in a vicinity of a nerve, the housing shaped so as to define an internal surface and an external surface;
• configuring the external surface to promote growth of fibrous connective tissue therearound;
• and
• applying an electrical current to the nerve from at least one site in a vicinity of the internal surface of the housing.

A method comprising:

• placing a housing in a vicinity of a nerve;
• configuring the housing to allow passage of biological materials therethrough;
• and
• applying an electrical current to the nerve from at least one site within the housing.