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US5575813A
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Low-pressure neural contact structure
Assignee: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
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Filing: 1995-04-28
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Granted: 1996-11-19
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Expires: 2015-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A low-pressure neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue, for example, neural tissue of the retina within which are ganglion cells to be electrically stimulated. The contact structure comprises a first portion for attachment to a first bodily location, such as the inner surface of the retina, and a second portion interconnected with the first portion via an interconnection and being held in contact with the neural tissue. The interconnection exhibits a weak restoring force which in conjunction with the geometry of said second portion provides a preselected desired pressure of contact against the neural tissue. As adapted for the retina, the interconnection exhibits a weak restoring force developed in response to curvature of the interconnection along the inner radius of the retina.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Edell
- 👤 Joseph Rizzo, III
- 👤 John L. Wyatt, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 03:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/0526; A61N1/0543
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A low-pressure neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue, comprising: a first portion for anchoring said neural contact structure to a bodily location, and a second portion adapted to contact said neural tissue, said second portion interconnected with said first portion via an interconnection easily conforming to contours in said neural tissue to exhibit a weak restoring force in response to curvature of the interconnection to provide a desired pressure of contact of said second portion against said neural tissue of below 10 mm mercury, the desired pressure sufficient to permit stimulation of the neural tissue without damage to said neural tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A low-pressure neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue, comprising: a first portion for anchoring said neural contact structure to a bodily location, and a second portion adapted to contact said neural tissue, said second portion interconnected with said first portion via an interconnection easily conforming to contours in said neural tissue to exhibit a weak restoring force in response to curvature of the interconnection to provide a desired pressure of contact of said second portion against said neural tissue of below 10 mm mercury, the desired pressure sufficient to permit stimulation of the neural tissue without damage to said neural tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The neural contact of claim 1 wherein said second portion comprises a stimulation electrode structure for stimulating neurons within said neural tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The neural contact of claim 1 wherein said first portion and said second portion together comprise an integral structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The neural contact of claim 1 wherein said first portion and said second portion comprise distinct structures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The neural contact of claim 3 wherein said integral structure comprises a homogeneous material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The neural contact of claim 5 wherein said integral structure is of a generally rectangular geometry.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The neural contact of claim 6 wherein said integral structure comprises a cantilever.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The neural contact of either of claims 6 or 7 wherein said integral structure comprises silicon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The neural contact of either of claims 6 or 7 wherein said integral structure comprises silicon nitride.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The neural contact of either of claims 6 or 7 wherein said integral structure comprises a material which can be elastically deformed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The neural contact of claim 2 wherein said neurons comprise autonomic nervous tissue associated with bladder function.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The neural contact of claim 2 wherein said neurons are associated with activation of paretic limbs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The neural contact of claim 1 wherein said second portion comprises a transducing electrode structure for sensing neuronal activity of said neural tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The neural contact of claim 13 wherein said neural tissue comprises dorsal root ganglion neurons.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The neural contact of claim 1 wherein said second portion comprises a transducing electrode structure for sensing a chemical parameter associated with neurons within said neural tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The neural contact of claim 2 wherein said second portion further comprises mechanical support for a transducing electrode structure positioned on said second portion for sensing a chemical parameter associated with neurons within said neural tissue.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The neural contact of claim 1 wherein said second portion comprises a transducing electrode structure for sensing a physical parameter associated with neurons within said neural tissue.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The neural contact of claim 15 wherein said chemical parameter comprises oxygen concentration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The neural contact of claim 17 wherein said physical parameter comprises temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The neural contact of claim 2 wherein said second portion further comprises mechanical support for a transducing electrode structure positioned on said second portion for sensing a physical parameter associated with neurons within said neural tissue.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The neural contact of claim 1 wherein said second portion comprises a structure adapted to disperse chemicals into said neural tissue.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
85 words
A neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue, comprising: a first portion for anchoring to a location on the neural tissue; an elongated element extending from the first portion and easily conforming to contours in a surface of the neural tissue to exhibit a weak restoring force in response to curvature of the elongated element to provide a pressure to the surface no greater than 10 mm mercury, the pressure sufficient to permit stimulation of the neural tissue without damage to said neural tissue.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
85 words
A neural contact structure for contact with neural tissue, comprising: a first portion for anchoring to a location on the neural tissue; an elongated element extending from the first portion and easily conforming to contours in a surface of the neural tissue to exhibit a weak restoring force in response to curvature of the elongated element to provide a pressure to the surface no greater than 10 mm mercury, the pressure sufficient to permit stimulation of the neural tissue without damage to said neural tissue.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure of claim 22 further comprising a neural stimulatory electrode supported on said elongated element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure of claim 23 wherein a part of said elongated element that is in contact with said neural tissue is at a position remote from said first portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 22 wherein said elongated element comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, silicon nitride, and silicon carbide.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 22 wherein said first portion, neural stimulatory electrode, and elongated element are integral with each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-19 | 2000-05-20 | 2000-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-19 | 2004-05-20 | 2004-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-19 | 2008-05-20 | 2008-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |