Patent Document ID: 9555235
Application ID: 14605148
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. An electrode array, comprising: (1) a bio-compatible dielectric scaffold defining a plurality of openings and a plurality of channels therein, wherein each channel: (a) occupies a three-dimensional volume extending into the scaffold from a respective opening of the plurality of openings; (b) contains an electrode attached to the scaffold and electrically exposed to the three-dimensional volume of the channel; and (c) contains a bio-compatible gel disposed therein; (2) a first growth factor disposed in the gel disposed in a first at least one of the plurality of channels, wherein the first growth factor is selected to preferentially promote growth of a first type of nerve fiber over a second type of nerve fiber; and (3) a second growth factor disposed in the gel disposed in a second at least one of the plurality of channels, different than the first at least one of the plurality of channels, wherein the second growth factor is selected to preferentially promote growth of the second type of nerve fiber over the first type of nerve fiber; wherein: the first growth factor is disposed in the gel disposed in the first at least one of the plurality of channels so as to present a first gradient of effectiveness of the first growth factor across the opening of the first at least one of the plurality of channels; the second growth factor is disposed in the gel disposed in the second at least one of the plurality of channels so as to present a second gradient of effectiveness of the second growth factor across the opening of the second at least one of the plurality of channels; the first gradient increases along a direction away from the opening of the second at least one of the plurality of channels; and the second gradient increases along a direction away from the opening of the first at least one of the plurality of channels.