Therapy delivery devices and methods for non-damaging neural tissue conduction block
Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.
1. A therapy delivery device comprising:
an electrode contact adapted to directly contact a nerve,
wherein the electrode contact comprises a high charge capacity material that prevents formation of irreversible electrochemical reaction products when a charge of 100 μC or more is delivered to the nerve by the electrode contact, and
the electrode contact having a geometric surface area of at least about 1 mm 2 .
2. The therapy delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the geometric surface area is between about 3 mm 2 and 9 mm 2 .
3. The therapy delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the electrode contact is fabricated of the high charge capacity material or the electrode contact comprises a base body at least partially coated with the high charge capacity material.
4. The therapy delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the high charge capacity material is platinum black, titanium nitride, tantalum, or poly(ethylenedioxythiophene).
5. The therapy delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the therapy delivery device is a nerve cuff.
6. The therapy delivery device of claim 5 , wherein the electrode contact comprises a plurality of electrode contacts.
7. The therapy delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the electrode contact comprises a plurality of monopolar nerve cuff electrode contacts.
8. A system comprising:
a waveform generator to generate a direct current (DC) with a total amount of charge of 100 microcoulombs or more;
an electrical contact, coupled to the waveform generator, adapted to be placed into direct contact with a nerve to deliver the DC to the neural tissue without producing irreversible reaction products that damage the nerve,
wherein the electrical contact is fabricated from a high charge-capacity material that prevents formation of irreversible electrochemical reaction products when a charge of 100 μC or more is delivered to the nerve by the electrode contact, and
wherein the electrode contact having a geometric surface area of at least about 1 mm 2 .