US4308868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable electrical device
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1980-05-27
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Granted: 1982-01-05
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Expires: 2000-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A fully implantable and self-contained device is disclosed composed of a flexible electrode array 10 for surrounding damaged nerves and a signal generator 12 for driving the electrode array with periodic electrical impulses of nanoampere magnitude to induce regeneration of the damaged nerves.
Inventors
- 👤 Murzban D. Jhabvala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372; A61N1/326
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An implantable therapeutic device comprising: a flexible electrode array for surrounding a nerve in its damaged area; circuit means for developing a continuous series of square wave pulses of electrical energy at a predetermined frequency; circuit means for stretching each of said square wave pulses. circuit means for reversing the polarity of said stretched square wave pulses to provide short duration impulses of electrical energy; means for energizing all of said circuit means; and impedance means for applying a series of said short duration impulses of electrical energy in the nanosecond range to said array to regenerate the damaged area of said nerve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An implantable therapeutic device comprising: a flexible electrode array for surrounding a nerve in its damaged area; circuit means for developing a continuous series of square wave pulses of electrical energy at a predetermined frequency; circuit means for stretching each of said square wave pulses. circuit means for reversing the polarity of said stretched square wave pulses to provide short duration impulses of electrical energy; means for energizing all of said circuit means; and impedance means for applying a series of said short duration impulses of electrical energy in the nanosecond range to said array to regenerate the damaged area of said nerve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said electrode array includes: a piece of mesh material, and a plurality of parallel spaced electrodes woven into said mesh material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein the center one of said electrodes is positioned directly at the area of damage of the nerve and the remaining ones of said electrodes are positioned on opposite sides of said center one about the nerve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device according to claim 3 wherein said impedance means applies said impulses to said center one of said electrodes thereby establishing a potential difference between it and said remaining ones of said electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 4 wherein said applied impulses are less than 200 nanoamperes and of about 0.1 millisecond duration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the electrodes of said array are transversely disposed around said nerve with an intermediate one of said parallel spaced electrodes positioned directly at said damaged area and adjacent ones of said electrodes are positioned on opposite sides of said intermediate one.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
18 words
The device of claims 1 or 6 wherein said impedance means discontinuously applies electrical energy to said array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said impulses provided by said impedance means are about 10 nanoamperes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-01-04 | 1985-07-06 | 1986-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-04 | 1989-07-06 | 1990-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-04 | 1993-07-06 | 1994-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |