Patent ID: 8116881

Claim:
Apparatus for applying current to a nerve, comprising an electrode assembly, which comprises: a housing, adapted to be placed completely around the nerve, the housing shaped so as to define an outer surface and a plurality of chambers, including first and second chambers, that define respective open spaces between the housing and the nerve when the housing is placed around the nerve; one or more electrodes, fixed to the housing, which electrodes comprise an anode and a cathode, one of which is fixed to the housing within the first chamber, and the other of which is fixed to the housing within the second chamber; and a control unit, which is configured to drive a cathodic current through the cathode, and an anodal current through the anode, wherein the electrode assembly is shaped so as to define a plurality of openings through which the nerve passes when the housing is placed around the nerve, and wherein, in addition to the openings of the electrode assembly through which the nerve passes, the outer surface of the housing is shaped so as to define one or more holes through to the first chamber, and no holes through to the second chamber, which holes through to the first chamber are configured to allow passage of biological materials therethrough to the first chamber.