Patent ID: 7797058
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A system for placement of an implantable cuff electrode about a biological tissue, the system comprising: an elastic body comprising a single layer of elastomeric material, the elastic body having an elastic memory to form a normally coiled configuration extending as a spiral having an inner diameter and a range of about 450 degrees to about 560 degrees, the elastic body being configured to be elastically uncoiled to increase the inner diameter in response to an uncoiling force, at least one electrically conductive surface coupled to an inside surface of the elastic body, an applicator body having a handle, the applicator body comprising an open ended inverted trough for fitment over a portion of the biological tissue, the inverted trough sized and configured to apply the uncoiling force to the elastic body and maintain the elastic body and electrically conductive surface in an uncoiled configuration for placement about the biological tissue, the applicator body including a slider carried on the applicator body and moveable along the axis of the applicator body between a forward position and an aft position, the slider being capable of axially sliding the elastic body off the open ended inverted trough and onto the biological tissue, a linkage mechanism coupled to the handle and the slider to affect axial movement of the slider fore and aft, and the elastic body and electrically conductive surface being capable of assuming the normally coiled configuration after placement onto the biological tissue allowing intimate contact between the electrically conductive surface on the inside surface of the elastic body and the biological tissue surrounded.