# US 7,610,103 B2 · Electrode arrangement for nerve stimulation and methods of treating disorders

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- Number: US 7,610,103 B2
- Document ID: US7610103B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/311,502
- Filed: 2005-12-19
- Published: 2007-06-21
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2005-12-19
- Assignees: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
- Inventors: Todd Kevin Whitehurst; Kirsten N. Jaax; Rafael Carbunaru; Janusz A. Kuzma
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610103B2

## CPC

- A61N 1/0551: {Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes}
- A61N 1/0556: {Cuff electrodes}
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

## Abstract

A stimulator arrangement for stimulating nerves or other tissue includes an electrode arrangement having a substrate and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate. The substrate is configured and arranged to be in a curved state prior to implantation into the body and to flatten with exposure to the body after implantation. The stimulator arrangement may also include a stimulator unit coupled to the electrode arrangement. The stimulator unit may also be implantable.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A stimulator arrangement for a nerve in a body of a patient, comprising:
an electrode arrangement having
a substrate comprising an inner surface, the substrate comprising an arched portion and at least one relatively-flat stabilizing portion extending from, and abutting, each side of two opposing sides of the arched portion, wherein the inner surface of the arched portion is configured and arranged to receive the nerve upon implantation, wherein the arched portion is formed from a material configured and arranged to flatten the arched portion in response to exposure to the body after implantation such that the inner surface of the arched portion at least partially flattens the nerve, and
a plurality of electrodes disposed on the inner surface of the substrate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The stimulator arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a stimulator unit coupled to the electrodes of the electrode arrangement.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The stimulator arrangement of claim 1, wherein the electrode arrangement further comprises a plurality of posts that extend from the substrate and into tissue of the body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The stimulator arrangement of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the electrodes are disposed on the plurality of posts.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The stimulator arrangement of claim 4, wherein all of the electrodes are disposed on the plurality of posts.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The stimulator arrangement of claim 4, wherein the electrodes disposed on the plurality of posts are disposed at tips of the posts.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The stimulator arrangement of claim 4, wherein at least two electrodes are disposed on each of at least a portion of the plurality of posts.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The stimulator arrangement of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the electrodes disposed on the plurality of posts are disposed as rings around the posts.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The stimulator arrangement of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the electrodes disposed on the plurality of posts are disposed on only one side of the posts.

### Claim 10 (depends on 3)

The stimulator arrangement of claim 3, wherein the plurality of posts are configured and arranged to lie next to the substrate prior to implantation and to extend away from the substrate after implantation.

### Claim 11

A nerve stimulator, comprising:
a stimulator unit;
an electrode arrangement for disposition adjacent the nerve, wherein the electrode arrangement comprises
a substrate comprising an inner surface, the substrate comprising an arched portion and at least one relatively-flat stabilizing portion extending from, and abutting, each side of two opposing sides of the arched portion, wherein the inner surface of the arched portion is configured and arranged to receive the nerve upon implantation, wherein the arched portion is formed from a material configured and arranged to flatten the arched portion in response to exposure to patient tissue after implantation such that the inner surface of the arched portion at least partially flattens the nerve, and
a plurality of electrodes disposed on the inner surface of the substrate; and
a lead coupling the stimulator unit to the electrodes of the electrode arrangement.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The nerve stimulator of claim 11, wherein the electrode arrangement further comprises a plurality of posts formed on the substrate.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The nerve stimulator of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the electrodes are disposed on the plurality of posts.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The nerve stimulator of claim 11, wherein the nerve stimulator defines a lumen for providing a drug to tissue adjacent the electrode arrangement.