Nerve interface electrode with fibers for insertion between nerve fascicles

摘要

A nerve interface electrode has a plurality of conductive fibers. The fibers have a nonconductive sheath (108) surrounding a conducting wire. A conducting region (105) of the wire is exposed to the interior of the nerve (200). The fibers are configured for insertion between fascicles (204) of the nerve. In other teachings, a layer of polymer material configured to switch from a high strength/tensile modulus state to a low strength/tensile modulus state upon introduction of the fibers into the nerve is disposed on the fibers.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
extending a plurality of fibers from a housing, wherein each of the plurality of fibers comprises a conductive wire; covering each fiber with a layer of polymeric material to form a non-conductive sheath, wherein the polymeric material is rigid outside a nerve and flexible inside the nerve; and exposing a conducting region on each of the plurality of fibers, wherein the conducting region is exposed by an opening in the polymeric material.