Cuff electrode

1. A method comprising:

encircling a nerve of a patient with a main cuff body of a cuff electrode at a first location of the nerve, the cuff electrode further including a distal extension extending distally from a distal end of the main cuff body to a distal end of the distal extension;

arranging the distal extension to position a first electrode carried by the distal extension away from the first location; and

providing neurostimulation therapy to the patient via the cuff electrode;

wherein the method is characterized by the distal extension not encircling a nerve of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the main cuff body carries a second electrode, and further wherein the step of providing neurostimulation therapy includes applying stimulation energy to the patient via at least the second electrode.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of providing neurostimulation therapy further includes applying stimulation therapy to the patient via the first electrode.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of providing neurostimulation therapy further includes utilizing a stimulation vector between the first and second electrodes to capture a targeted nerve branch.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of arranging includes locating the first electrode adjacent a nerve branch apart from the first location of the nerve.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first location is a main nerve, and further wherein the step of arranging includes positioning the distal extension distally beyond a junction between the main nerve and the nerve branch.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing neurostimulation therapy includes treating sleep disordered breathing of the patient.

8. A cuff electrode comprising:

a main cuff body including a first arm, a second arm and a base;

wherein the first and second arms extend circumferentially in opposite directions from the base to form a re-closable lumen to encircle a nerve, the lumen being open at opposing, proximal and distal ends of the cuff body;

a distal extension extending from the cuff body distal the distal end, wherein the distal extension defines a front side opposite a back side;

a first electrode carried by the distal extension and exposed at the back side; and

a second electrode carried by the distal extension and exposed at the front side.

9. The cuff electrode of claim 8 , wherein the main cuff body is configured to releasably encircle a nerve.

10. The cuff electrode of claim 8 , wherein the distal extension is configured to locate the first electrode away from a location of a nerve about which the main cuff body encircles.

11. The cuff electrode of claim 8 , wherein the distal extension comprises an elongate rectangular element.

12. The cuff electrode of claim 8 , wherein the distal extension comprises a helical coil body.

13. The cuff electrode of claim 8 , wherein the distal extension comprises a cylindrically-shaped body, and further wherein the first electrode is positioned on an exterior of the cylindrically-shaped body.

14. The cuff electrode of claim 8 , further comprising a third electrode carried by the main cuff body.

15. A method comprising:

encircling a nerve of a patient with a main cuff body of a cuff electrode at a first location of the nerve, the cuff electrode further including a distal extension extending distally from a distal end of the main cuff body;

arranging the distal extension to position a first electrode carried by the distal extension away from the first location;

wherein the main cuff body carries a second electrode; and

providing neurostimulation therapy to the patient via the cuff electrode, including applying stimulation therapy utilizing a stimulation vector between the first and second electrodes to capture a targeted nerve branch.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of arranging includes locating the first electrode adjacent a nerve branch apart from the first location of the nerve.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the first location is a main nerve, and further wherein the step of arranging includes positioning the distal extension distally beyond a junction between the main nerve and the nerve branch.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the method is characterized by the distal extension not encircling the nerve branch.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of providing neurostimulation therapy includes treating sleep disordered breathing of the patient.

20. A cuff electrode comprising:

a main cuff body including a first arm, a second arm and a base;

wherein the first and second arms extend circumferentially in opposite directions from the base to form a re-closable lumen to encircle a nerve, the lumen being open at opposing, proximal and distal ends of the cuff body;

a distal extension extending from the cuff body distal the distal end; and

a first electrode carried by the distal extension;

wherein the distal extension comprises a cylindrically-shaped body, and further wherein the first electrode is positioned on an exterior of the cylindrically-shaped body.