Patent ID: 6070105
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An electrode array for use with a stimulation device comprising:a flexible carrier that, when viewed in cross-section, is much more flexible in a first direction than in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts embedded within the flexible carrier, a portion of each contact being exposed at a first surface of the carrier;the first surface of the carrier comprising that surface which assumes a curved radius when the flexible carrier is flexed in the first direction;wherein the flexible carrier has a U-shaped cross section having a base portion and side extensions, and whereinthe base portion comprises a solid material wherein the electrodes are embedded, and wherein the base portion has a height ""h"" and a width ""w"", where w is much greater than h, whereby the base portion forms a ribbon-like cable that readily flexes in the first direction, the direction of the height h, but that does not readily flex in the second direction, the direction of the width w; andeach side extension comprises a flexible wall that extends rearwardly from the base portion a prescribed distance, the prescribed distance comprising a distance that is slightly less than a cross-sectional lateral distance across a duct within which the electrode array is to be inserted.