Asymmetric single electrode cuff for generation of unidirectionally propagating action potentials for collision blocking

An asymmetric single electrode cuff comprising:

• a sleeve of electrically non-conductive, biocompatible material, the sleeve defines an axial passage therethrough from a first end to a second end, which passage is adapted to receive a nerve trunk therethrough, and,
• one and only one annular electrode is disposed in the axial sleeve passage, the electrode is disposed a first distance from the first end and a second distance from the second end, the first distance is at least 1.7 times as large as the second distance.

An action potential blocking system for selectively, unidirectionally blocking orthodromic action potentials passing along a nerve trunk, the system comprising:

• an electrode cuff including only a single electrode encircled by a dielectric sleeve, the dielectric sleeve extending a first distance from one side of the single electrode to an escape end and extending a second distance from the other side of the single electrode to an arrest end, the first distance being greater than the second distance, the single electrode and dielectric sleeve being disposed around the nerve trunk;
• a remote electrode disposed physically displaced and separated from the electrode cuff;
• a signal generator electrically connected with the electrodes for applying a stimulus current across the electrodes to generate antidromic action potentials in the nerve trunk to collision block the orthodromic action potentials.

A method of blocking orthodromic action potentials traveling along a nerve trunk in a first direction, the method comprising:

• positioning an electrode cuff, which has a dielectric sleeve extending from an escape end to an arrest end and only a single electrode disposed in the dielectric sleeve closer to the arrest end than the escape end, around the nerve trunk such that the orthodromic action potentials travel from the escape end toward the arrest end;
• positioning a remote electrode physically separate from the cuff in an electrically conductive relationship with the nerve trunk;
• applying an oscillating, bipolar stimulating electric signal across the electrodes, the bipolar signal including a first polarity portion of each cycle for generating antidromic action potentials traveling unidirectionally along the nerve trunk in an opposite direction to the orthodromic action potentials, the antidromic action potentials collision blocking the orthodromic action potentials from traveling past the electrode cuff.