US5487756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable cuff having improved closure
Assignee: SIMON FRANSER UNIVERSITY
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Filing: 1994-12-23
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Granted: 1996-01-30
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Expires: 2014-12-23
Abstract
Abstract An implantable cuff having an improved closure is disclosed. The closure has a set of small interdigitated tubes lying along the edges of a longitudinal slit opening in the cuff. A rod-like locking member is inserted through the interdigitated tubes to lock the cuff closed. A flexible flap attached to the inside of the cuff electrically and mechanically isolates the interior of the cuff from the exterior. The cuff has particular application as a nerve cuff for recording electrical nerve activity and for electrically stimulating nerves.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Kallesoe
- 👤 Joaquin A. Hoffer
- 👤 Kevin Strange
- 👤 Ignacio Valenzuela
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0551; A61N1/0556
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
An implantable cuff comprising: (a) a flexible tubular cuff member having a longitudinal slit extending through a wall thereof, said slit having first and second edges; and (b) a closure associated with said slit, said closure comprising: (i) two or more spaced apart first apertured members affixed to said cuff member at said first edge, said first apertured members having apertures aligned generally with said slit; and (ii) a second apertured member interdigitated between two of said first apertured members and affixed to said cuff member at said second edge, said second apertured member having an aperture aligned generally with said slit (c) retaining means for maintaining said closure closed with at least one said second apertured member interdigitated between said first apertured members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
An implantable cuff comprising: (a) a flexible tubular cuff member having a longitudinal slit extending through a wall thereof, said slit having first and second edges; and (b) a closure associated with said slit, said closure comprising: (i) two or more spaced apart first apertured members affixed to said cuff member at said first edge, said first apertured members having apertures aligned generally with said slit; and (ii) a second apertured member interdigitated between two of said first apertured members and affixed to said cuff member at said second edge, said second apertured member having an aperture aligned generally with said slit (c) retaining means for maintaining said closure closed with at least one said second apertured member interdigitated between said first apertured members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The implantable cuff of claim 1 wherein said retaining means comprises an elongated locking member inserted to extend through said apertures of said first apertured members and said second apertured member when said second apertured member is interdigitated with said first apertured members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implantable cuff of claim 2 wherein said locking member comprises a semi-rigid rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The implantable cuff of claim 3 wherein said locking member comprises a semi-rigid rod, said rod comprising a central portion having a diameter no greater than internal diameters of said apertures in said first and second apertured members and tapered end portions having diameters greater than said diameter of said central portion of said rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implantable cuff of claim 2 wherein said locking member comprises a length of suture material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implantable cuff of claim 2 wherein said locking member comprises a plurality of axially aligned rod members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implantable cuff of claim 2 wherein said first apertured members comprise first tubes connected to said cuff member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implantable cuff of claim 7 comprising a plurality of second aperture member spaced apart by distances generally equal to lengths of said first tubes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implantable cuff of claim 8 wherein said second apertured members comprise second tubes connected to said cuff member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The implantable cuff of claim 9 wherein said first and second tubes comprise flexible sheets folded over along a fold line and notched along said fold line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The implantable cuff of claim 9 wherein said first tubes are resilient and said second tubes are spaced apart by distances slightly less than said lengths of said first tubes wherein, when said first and second tubes are interdigitated, said first and second tubes seal said slit closed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implantable cuff of claim 11 comprising at least three of said second tubes interdigitated with at least three of said first tubes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The implantable cuff of claim 12 further comprising a flexible flap extending across said slit, said flexible flap having an edge affixed to said cuff member along one of said first and second edges.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The implantable cuff of claim 13 wherein said flap extends from said cuff member substantially along an entire length of said slit and said cuff is radially inward from said first and second apertured members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implantable cuff of claim 14 further comprising a second flap extending from an outer surface of said cuff member across said slit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The implantable cuff of claim 1 further comprising a flexible flap extending across said slit, said flexible flap having an edge affixed to said cuff member along one of said first and second edges.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The implantable cuff of claim 16 wherein said flap extends from said cuff member substantially along an entire length of said slit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implantable cuff of claim 17 wherein said flap is radially inward from said first and second apertured members.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The implantable cuff of claim 18 further comprising a second flexible flap extending across said slit, said second flexible flap having an edge affixed to said cuff member along one of said first and second edges, wherein said second flexible flap is radially outward from said first and second apertured members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implantable cuff of claim 17 wherein said flap is radially outward from said first and second apertured members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The implantable cuff of claim 17 wherein said retaining means comprises an elongated locking member inserted to extend through said apertures of said first apertured members and said second apertured member when said second apertured member is interdigitated with said first apertured members and said locking member comprises a semi-rigid rod.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The implantable cuff of claim 21 wherein said locking member comprises a semi-rigid rod, said rod comprising a central portion having a diameter no greater than internal diameters of said apertures in said first and second apertured members and tapered end portions having diameters greater than said diameter of said central portion of said rod.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
The implantable cuff of claim 17 wherein said retaining means comprises an elongated locking member inserted to extend through said apertures of said first apertured members and said second apertured member when said second apertured member is interdigitated with said first apertured members and said locking member comprises a length of suture material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implantable cuff of claim 1 comprising at least three of said second apertured members interdigitated with at least three of said first apertured members.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implantable cuff of claim 1 further comprising an electrode inside said cuff member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The implantable cuff of claim 25 wherein said electrode is a near circumferential electrode centrally located on an inner surface of said cuff member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implantable cuff of claim 25 wherein said electrode comprises a biologically compatible electrically conductive material deposited on an inner surface of said cuff member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implantable cuff of claim 1 further comprising a catheter extending through said wall of said cuff member for introducing fluids into said cuff member.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
232 words
A method for releasably enclosing a section of internal body tissue, said method comprising the steps of: (a) surgically separating said section of internal body tissue from surrounding tissues; (b) providing a tubular cuff comprising (i) a flexible tubular cuff member having a longitudinal slit extending through a wall thereof, said slit having first and second edges; and (ii) a closure associated with said slit, said closure comprising: (A) a pair of spaced apart first apertured members affixed to said cuff member at said first edge, said first aperture members having apertures aligned generally with said slit; (B) a second apertured member interdigitated between said first apertured members and affixed to said cuff member at said second edge, said second apertured member having an aperture aligned generally with said slit; and (C) an elongated locking member inserted to extend through said apertures of said first apertured members and said second apertured member when said second apertured member is interdigitated with said first apertured members; (c) opening said cuff by drawing said first and second edges of said slit apart; (d) placing said section of internal body tissue in said cuff; (e) closing said cuff by interdigitating said second apertured member between two of said first apertured members; and (f) securing said cuff around said internal body tissues by passing a locking member through said apertures in said first and second apertured members.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
232 words
A method for releasably enclosing a section of internal body tissue, said method comprising the steps of: (a) surgically separating said section of internal body tissue from surrounding tissues; (b) providing a tubular cuff comprising (i) a flexible tubular cuff member having a longitudinal slit extending through a wall thereof, said slit having first and second edges; and (ii) a closure associated with said slit, said closure comprising: (A) a pair of spaced apart first apertured members affixed to said cuff member at said first edge, said first aperture members having apertures aligned generally with said slit; (B) a second apertured member interdigitated between said first apertured members and affixed to said cuff member at said second edge, said second apertured member having an aperture aligned generally with said slit; and (C) an elongated locking member inserted to extend through said apertures of said first apertured members and said second apertured member when said second apertured member is interdigitated with said first apertured members; (c) opening said cuff by drawing said first and second edges of said slit apart; (d) placing said section of internal body tissue in said cuff; (e) closing said cuff by interdigitating said second apertured member between two of said first apertured members; and (f) securing said cuff around said internal body tissues by passing a locking member through said apertures in said first and second apertured members.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of providing an electrical connection to said internal body tissue by extending an electrical conductor to at least one electrode disposed on an inner surface of said cuff member.
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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) | 1999-01-29 | 1999-07-31 | 2000-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-29 | 2003-07-31 | 2004-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-29 | 2007-07-31 | 2008-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |