Circumneural electrode assembly

An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient's nerve, comprising:

• a thin, flexible, electrically insulating circumneural carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to said lead at the distal end thereof, said carrier possessing circumferential elasticity,
• at least one flexible, elastic electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead,
• a fastener for closing the split configuration of the carrier to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve, and
• a tether coupled to said lead adjacent said carrier for additionally securing said carrier and said lead to the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve, said tether comprising a circumferential loop having one end rotatably coupled to said lead and another end free of attachment, and a fastener affixed to the rotatable coupling for engaging the free end of the tether for securing the tether about the nerve.

An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patients nerve, comprising:

• a thin, flexible, electrically insulating circumneural carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to said lead at the distal end thereof, said carrier possessing circumferential elasticity,
• at least one flexible, elastic electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, and
• a fastener for closing the split configuration of the carrier to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve,
• said lead including webbing secured between at least some adjacent serpentine segments of the lead to enable lengthening of the lead in response to movements or growth of the patient's body.

An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient's nerve, comprising:

• a thin, resilient, curled electrically insulating carrier having a spilt circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to and projecting generally perpendicularly from said lead at the distal end thereof,
• at least one resilient ribbon electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, and
• a selectively separable fastener for securing the split configuration of the carrier together to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve,
• said split circumferential configuration comprising:
• a curled rectangular loop attached at one edge to said lead, and having an edge opposite said one edge unattached to said lead, and
• a pair of resilient ribbon electrodes, including said at least one electrode, secured to respective spaced apart legs of said rectangular loop projecting perpendicularly from said lead.

An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient's nerve, comprising:

• a thin, resilient, curled electrically insulating carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to and projecting generally perpendicularly from said lead at the distal end thereof,
• at least one resilient ribbon electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, and
• a selectively separable fastener for securing the split configuration of the carrier together to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve,
• said split circumferential configuration comprising:
• a pair of spaced apart curled rectangular strips attached at one edge to said lead and having an edge opposite said one edge unattached to said lead, and a bridge connection between said pair of strips to maintain their spaced apart relationship, and
• a pair of resilient ribbon electrodes, including said at least one electrode, secured to respective ones of said spaced apart strips.

An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient's nerve, comprising:

• a thin, resilient, curled electrically insulating carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to and projecting generally perpendicularly from said lead at the distal end thereof,
• at least one resilient ribbon electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, and
• a selectively separable fastener for securing the split configuration of the carrier together to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve,
• said split circumferential configuration comprising:
• a curled rectangular loop attached substantially centrally to said lead and having substantially symmetrical portions projecting in opposite directions from said lead with confronting spaced apart edges, and
• a pair of resilient ribbon electrodes, including said at least one electrode, secured to respective spaced apart legs of said rectangular loop projecting perpendicularly from said lead.

An electrode assembly for a lead to be installed on a patient's nerve, comprising:

• a thin, resilient, curled electrically insulating carrier having a split circumferential configuration longitudinally attached to and projecting generally perpendicularly from said lead at the distal end thereof,
• at least one resilient ribbon electrode secured to the underside of said carrier and electrically connected to an electrical conductor in said lead, and
• a selectively separable fastener for securing the split configuration of the carrier together to prevent separation from the nerve after installation of the electrode assembly onto the nerve,
• said lead including tear away webbing secured between adjacent serpentine segments of the lead in proximity to said carrier to enable lengthening of the lead in response to normal movements or growth of the patient's body.