Abstract Normaal nerve function is restored across severed ends of a nerve fascicle by inserting between the severed ends a laminated chip perforated with an array of holes each sized to accommodate approximately one axon and each containing at least two electrically conductive regions in ohmic contact with the inner surface of the hole at discrete locations along the axial direction of the hole. Proximal axon segments are permitted to propagate through the holes to join distal segments in random fashion and to be in contact with each of the two electrical contacts. Each contact is part of a circuit pattern capable of monitoring impulses, applying blocking potentials and placing selected pairs of proximal and distal axon segments in electrical contact such that nerve impulses can be routed as desired to restore normal nerve impulse communication and hence nerve function.
Inventors
👤 Joseph M. Rosen
👤 Morton Grosser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionEP
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-05 21:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/11; A61B17/1128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for restoring normal function to a severed nerve fascicle, comprising: a flat planar substrate perforated with a plurality of holes, each hole sized to accommodate approximately one axon; at least two electrically conductive traces in ohmic contact with the inner surface of each said hole at discrete locations along the axial direction of said hole, thereby defining a proximal contact and a distal contact; means for monitoring the potential at each said contact; means for individually applying a blocking potential to at least one contact in each hole; and means for communicating a stimulating potential between preselected pairs of proximal and distal contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for restoring normal function to a severed nerve fascicle, comprising: a flat planar substrate perforated with a plurality of holes, each hole sized to accommodate approximately one axon; at least two electrically conductive traces in ohmic contact with the inner surface of each said hole at discrete locations along the axial direction of said hole, thereby defining a proximal contact and a distal contact; means for monitoring the potential at each said contact; means for individually applying a blocking potential to at least one contact in each hole; and means for communicating a stimulating potential between preselected pairs of proximal and distal contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for restoring normal function to a severed nerve fascicle comprising: a flat planar substrate perforated with a plurality of holes, each hole sized to accommodate approximately one axon; a sheath surrounding said flat planar substrate for confronting respective ends of severed nerves one to another at discrete axons; at least two electrically conductive traces in ohmic contact with the inner surface of each said hole at discrete locations along the axial direction of said hole, thereby defining a proximal contact and a distal contact; means for monitoring the potential at each said contact; means for individually applying a blocking potential to at least one contact in each hole; and means for communicating a potential between preselected pairs of proximal and distal contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for restoring normal function to a severed nerve fascicle comprising: a flat planar substrate perforated with a plurality of holes, each hole sized to accommodate approximately one axon; a sheath surrounding said flat planar substrate for confronting respective ends of severed nerves one to another at discrete axons; at least two electrically conductive traces in ohmic contact with the inner surface of each said hole at discrete locations along the axial direction of said hole, thereby defining a proximal contact and a distal contact; means for monitoring the potential at each said contact; means for individually applying a blocking potential to at least one contact in each hole; and means for communicating a potential between preselected pairs of proximal and distal contacts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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