Patent ID: 8612025

Claim:
A self-sizing cuff electrode, for use in stimulating a nerve, the cuff electrode comprising: a cuff portion configured to adopt a generally tubular shape, said cuff portion comprising a first end, a second end, a length, an inner surface and an outer surface, the cuff portion being configured to contact a nerve over a contact area, the cuff portion further comprising: a hinge portion that extends the length of the cuff portion, the hinge portion includes a hole that extends the length of the cuff portion, the hinge portion configured to provide resilient support along substantially the length of the cuff portion; a cylindrical elastic member disposed within the hole of the hinge portion, the cylindrical elastic member is telescoping to facilitate the insertion of the cylindrical elastic member into the hole of the hinge portion; a longitudinal split, said split defining a first edge, and a second edge, said first edge and second edge configured to slidably overlap each other such that the cuff portion substantially circumferentially encloses at least a portion of the nerve; and a plurality of electrodes, said electrodes comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode, said at least one anode and at least one cathode located on substantially opposite sides of the nerve when the nerve is enclosed by the cuff portion; wherein in response to an electrical signal, the at least one anode and at least one cathode form an electrically coupled anode-cathode pair with an electrical pathway therebetween; and wherein the cuff portion is configured to provide a compressive force effective to maintain contact between the electrodes and the nerve, such that the electrical pathway between the electrodes and the nerve is maintained.