Method of manufacturing an implantable helical spiral cuff electrode

Abstract

A self-curling elongate non-conductive sheet (A) defines a helical cuff electrode (10). A plurality of contact members (40) are linearly disposed along a direction (C) between a first layer (30) and a second layer (32) of laminated elastomeric material. The first layer is stretched along direction (F) oblique to the direction (C) before lamination such that the cuff electrode is elastomerically biased to curl into a helix. Windows (50) are defined in the elastomeric first layer (31) and bonding layer (34) to provide for electrical conduction between the contact members (40) and the nerve tissue (60) about which the cuff is wrapped. Method steps for endoscopic implantation of the cuff electrode (10) include flattening and then sliding the cuff from a carrier (100), the cuff helically self-wrapping around the nerve as it is urged from the carrier held stationary.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.