Pinch to open cuff electrode

A lead assembly configured for stimulating a target nerve, the lead assembly comprising:

• at least one cuff electrode assembly configured for implantation about the target nerve, the cuff electrode assembly comprising:
• a resilient cuff body configured to be disposed about the target nerve, the cuff body including a proximal end, a distal end, a first end portion having a first free end, and a second end portion having a second free end, the first free end and the second free end defining a gap in the cuff body between the first free end and the second free end, wherein the cuff body is pre-formed to assume a closed configuration having a generally annular cross-sectional shape, the gap extending straight along a longitudinal axis of the cuff body from the distal end of the cuff body to the proximal end of the cuff body;
• a first arm member and a second arm member each projecting radially outward from the cuff body and spaced from one another along the cuff body, wherein each of the first and second arm members is disposed closer, as measured circumferentially around the cuff body in a first direction as compared to a second direction opposite the first direction, to the gap in the cuff body and further wherein the cuff body is configured such that a force applied to urge the first and second arm members toward one another causes relative deflection of the second free end and the first free end away from one another to expand the gap and define an open configuration of the cuff body configured to allow the cuff body to be positioned around the target nerve;
• an electrode disposed at least partially within or on the cuff body oriented to provide an electrical stimuli to the target nerve when the cuff body is disposed about the target nerve;
• a flexible lead body made of an insulating material, the lead body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
• an insulated flexible conductor member at least partially disposed within the lead body, the conductor member including a distal end electrically and mechanically coupled to the electrode of the cuff electrode assembly;
• and
• a connector assembly coupled to the proximal end portion of the lead body and to the conductor member, the connector assembly configured to electrically couple the conductor member to an implantable stimulator.

A method for implanting a cuff electrode assembly on a target nerve, the method comprising:

• inserting an implantable cuff electrode assembly within a patient's body, the cuff electrode assembly including:
• a resilient cuff body configured to be disposed about the target nerve, the cuff body including a proximal end, a distal end, a first end portion having a first free end, and a second end portion having a second free end, the first free end and the second free end defining a gap in the cuff body between the first free end and the second free end, wherein the cuff body is pre-formed to assume a closed configuration having a generally annular cross-sectional shape, the gap extending straight along a longitudinal axis of the cuff body from the distal end of the cuff body to the proximal end of the cuff body;
• a first arm member and a second arm member each projecting radially outward from the cuff body and spaced from one another along the cuff body, wherein each of the first and second arm members is disposed closer, as measured circumferentially around the cuff body in a first direction as compared to a second direction opposite the first direction, to the gap in the cuff body, and further wherein the cuff body is configured such that a force applied to urge the first and second arm members toward one another causes relative deflection of the second free end and the first free end away from one another to expand the gap and define an open configuration of the cuff body configured to allow the cuff body to be positioned around the target nerve;
• and
• an electrode disposed at least partially within or on the cuff body oriented to provide an electrical stimuli to the target nerve when the cuff body is disposed about the target nerve;
• applying a force to at least one of the first and second arm members to urge the first and second arm members toward one another thereby causing the first and second free ends to deflect away from one another such that the cuff body widens the gap to assume the open configuration;
• with the cuff body in the open configuration, placing the cuff electrode assembly proximate the target nerve such that the cuff body at least partially surrounds the target nerve;
• and
• releasing the force urging the first and second arm members together to narrow the gap.