Systems and methods for enhancing or affecting neural stimulation efficiency and/or efficacy
First Claim
1. An apparatus for treating a neurological condition of a patient, comprising:
- an implantable stimulation device having at least one implantable stimulator configured to be positioned in signal communication with neural tissue of a patient'"'"'s nervous system, the stimulation device being configured to be implanted in the patient;
an implantable signal generator;
a signal communication link operatively coupled between the stimulation device and the signal generator; and
a controller operatively coupled to the signal generator, the controller being configured to provide instructions to the signal generator to direct an application of electromagnetic stimulation to the patient at a frequency that varies at least generally similar to naturally occurring frequency of brainwave variations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for enhancing or affecting neural stimulation efficiency and/or efficacy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and/or method may apply electromagnetic stimulation to a patient'"'"'s nervous system over a first time domain according to a first set of stimulation parameters, and over a second time domain according to a second set of stimulation parameters. The first and second time domains may be sequential, simultaneous, or nested. Stimulation parameters may vary in accordance with one or more types of duty cycle, amplitude, pulse repetition frequency, pulse width, spatiotemporal, and/or polarity variations. Stimulation may be applied at subthreshold, threshold, and/or suprathreshold levels in one or more periodic, aperiodic (e.g., chaotic), and/or pseudo-random manners. In some embodiments stimulation may comprise a burst pattern having an interburst frequency corresponding to an intrinsic brainwave frequency, and regular and/or varying intraburst stimulation parameters. Stimulation signals providing reduced power consumption with at least adequate symptomatic relief may be applied prior to moderate or significant power source depletion.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus for treating a neurological condition of a patient, comprising:
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an implantable stimulation device having at least one implantable stimulator configured to be positioned in signal communication with neural tissue of a patient'"'"'s nervous system, the stimulation device being configured to be implanted in the patient; an implantable signal generator; a signal communication link operatively coupled between the stimulation device and the signal generator; and a controller operatively coupled to the signal generator, the controller being configured to provide instructions to the signal generator to direct an application of electromagnetic stimulation to the patient at a frequency that varies at least generally similar to naturally occurring frequency of brainwave variations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification