Patent ID: 8560083

Claim:
An electrode array, said electrode array including: a frame formed from flexible material, said frame shaped to define: a plurality of bridges, each said bridge having a longitudinal axis that extends from a proximal end of said bridge to a distal end of said bridge, said bridges being located side by side and being laterally spaced apart from each other; a plurality of tabs that extend from said bridges, wherein: plural said tabs extend away from the longitudinal axis of a first said bridge towards an adjacent second said bridge, said tabs extending away from the first said bridge being spaced apart from each other along the first said bridge; plural said tabs that extend away from the longitudinal axis of the second said bridge towards the first said bridge, said tabs extending away from the second said bridge being spaced apart from each other along the second said bridge; and wherein said tabs that extend outwardly from the first said bridge are separate from said tabs that extend outwardly from the second said bridge; and a plurality of beams that are separate from said tabs, said beams extending between the first said bridge and the second said bridge so as to connect the first and second said bridges together, wherein said frame is configured to bend around said beams so that, as a result of the bending, the said first bridge at least partially overlaps the second said bridge; and a plurality of electrodes, each said electrode being formed from biocompatable material through which a current can be sourced to or sunk from tissue against which the electrodes are disposed, said electrodes being disposed on said frame tabs.