Patent ID: 8515520

Claim:
An electrode assembly comprising: a nerve-engaging portion including: a pair of generally arcuate fingers, with each finger including a proximal end, a distal end, and a first side surface extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and a base hinge portion from which the respective fingers extend and configured to cause movement of the fingers between a closed position in which the first side surface of the respective fingers are releasably, slidably engaged against each other in a side-by-side relationship to define a lumen and an open position in which distal ends of the fingers are spaced apart to provide access to the lumen, wherein the base hinge portion supports an electrode contact exposed at a surface of the lumen with the exposed electrode contact being separate from, and independent of, the fingers, wherein each finger is configured with a radial length sufficient to cause the distal end of each finger to releasably contact a portion of the base hinge portion when the fingers are in the closed position; an actuator mechanism including a pair of grip members, both extending outwardly from the base hinge portion and spaced apart from each other such that a releasable pressing action of the grip members relative to each other causes movement of the fingers from the closed position to the open position; and an electrical lead extending through one of the respective grip members to be in electrical communication with the electrode contact.