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 nerve interface electrode comprising:
a plurality of fibers configured for insertion between fascicles of a nerve, wherein each of the plurality of fibers comprises:
a conductive wire;a nonconductive sheath substantially surrounding the conductive wire; anda conducting region of the wire that is exposed by an opening in the nonconductive sheath,wherein the conducting region is configured to be exposed to an interior of the nerve, andwherein the nonconductive sheath comprises a polymer material with a variable stiffness to facilitate the insertion between the fascicles of the nerve.