A method of blocking signal transmission through a nerve, with reduced onset activity includes applying an HFAC to an axon of a nerve to block the transmission of signals through the axon. The method may also include applying a direct current (DC) to the axon, increasing the amplitude of the DC over time to a predetermined amplitude, applying the HFAC, and then decreasing the DC. The method may also include temporarily reducing the amplitude of the HFAC to permit the transmission of signals through the axon and subsequently increasing the amplitude to block transmission without triggering an onset response. The method may also include temporarily applying an unbalanced charge to the nerve and then balancing the charge over time.

A method of treating an overactive bladder condition includes providing a stimulation device having a generator enclosing a primary cell that is coupled to circuitry, and a lead coupling an electrode assembly to the generator, where the circuitry is operable to generate a stimulation signal with a duty cycle of between 0.1% and 2.5% and a total average current drain from the primary cell of between 0.1 μA and 5 μA, with the total average current drain including a background current plus a stimulation current weighted by the duty cycle; forming an incision in skin of a patient diagnosed with the overactive bladder condition; implanting the stimulation device in the patient by inserting the stimulation device into the incision in the skin of the patient; and closing the incision.

The disclosure describes devices and methods for providing transdermal electrical stimulation therapy to a subject including positioning a stimulator electrode over a glabrous skin surface overlying a palm of the subject and delivering electrical stimulation via a pulse generator transdermally through the glabrous skin surface and to a target nerve or tissue within the hand to stimulate the target nerve or tissue within the hand so that pain felt by the subject is mitigated. The pulses generated during the electrical stimulation therapy may include pulses of two different magnitudes.

A device which includes a generator of electric current pulses and a neurostimulation probe with M sectoral electrodes forming stimulation poles for passing a current between at least one anode and at least one cathode in a predetermined stimulation configuration. The generator includes N current sources and N current sinks, the N sources and the N sinks being defined independently of the M electrodes. A first distribution circuit can indiscriminately and dynamically switch any of the N sources to any of the M electrodes, and a second distribution circuit can indiscriminately and dynamically switch any of the N sinks to any of the M electrodes. The device can thus define a plurality of commutation combinations between sources and/or sinks, providing a single average current in the organ to be stimulated for different respective predetermined pole configurations.

Techniques to help improve efficiency or effectiveness of treating a disorder such as RLS or PLMD, such as by issuing neural electrostimulations to a particular patient, while varying one or more amplitude parameters (e.g., at least one of electrostimulation current amplitude, electrostimulation voltage amplitude, or electrostimulation pulsewidth duration). A corresponding patient-subjective or patient-objective response can be observed. A characteristic electrostimulation intensity relationship can be generated, for example, based on the determined respective at least one of RLS or PLMD response indication threshold amplitude parameters and the plurality of corresponding neural electrostimulation durations. Once this characteristic electrostimulation intensity relationship has been generated, it can then be used to control issuing subsequent neural electrostimulations to the particular patient according to (1) at least one goal and (2) a variable operating point based upon the generated characteristic electrostimulation intensity relationship.

A device for neurostimulation includes a pulse generator for generating current having pulses and at least one first pair of electrodes connected to the pulse generator. The device provides a user-programmable therapy strength parameter configuration and at least two current parameter configurations for neurostimulation stored in the pulse generator. The current parameter configurations are controlled by the therapy strength configuration, at least one of the current parameter configurations is associated with a level of paresthesia sensation of a patient and at least one of the current parameter configurations is associated with a paresthesia-free therapy for the patient. The association between therapy strength parameter and current parameter configurations uniquely adjusts the current parameter configurations based on paresthesia or paresthesia-free intent, when neurostimulation is performed using parameter configurations. Particularly, the current parameter configurations include parameters such as pulse trains, pulse frequencies, duty cycling, and amplitudes of the current.

An implantable device for providing electrical stimulation of cervical vagus nerves for treatment of chronic cardiac dysfunction is provided. A stimulation therapy lead includes helical electrodes configured to conform to an outer diameter of a cervical vagus nerve sheath, and a set of connector pins electrically connected to the helical electrodes. A neurostimulator includes an electrical receptacle into which the connector pins are securely and electrically coupled. The neurostimulator also includes a pulse generator configured to therapeutically stimulate the vagus nerve through the helical electrodes in alternating cycles of stimuli application and stimuli inhibition that are tuned to both efferently activate the heart's intrinsic nervous system and afferently activate the patient's central reflexes by triggering bi-directional action potentials.

A device for neurostimulation includes a pulse generator for generating current having pulses and at least one first pair of electrodes connected to the pulse generator. The device provides a user-programmable therapy strength parameter configuration and at least two current parameter configurations for neurostimulation stored in the pulse generator. The current parameter configurations are controlled by the therapy strength configuration, at least one of the current parameter configurations is associated with a level of paresthesia sensation of a patient and at least one of the current parameter configurations is associated with a paresthesia-free therapy for the patient. The association between therapy strength parameter and current parameter configurations uniquely adjusts the current parameter configurations based on paresthesia or paresthesia-free intent, when neurostimulation is performed using parameter configurations. Particularly, the current parameter configurations include parameters such as pulse trains, pulse frequencies, duty cycling, and amplitudes of the current.

Prophylactic stimulation and abortive electrical stimulation are delivered to a cranial nerve, including, e.g. an occipital or trigeminal nerve to treat symptoms of various conditions, including, e.g. occipital neuralgia or migraines.

A method and device for modulating the autonomic nervous system adjacent a pericardial space to treat cardiac arrhythmia includes a treatment source arranged to supply a treatment medium, a catheter having an end sized for insertion into the pericardial space, a medium delivery assembly having a distal end arranged to be positioned by the catheter into the pericardium, with the distal end of the delivery assembly comprising a delivery tip arranged to extend away from the distal end of the catheter into the pericardial space. A connector operatively couples the delivery tip of the medium delivery assembly to the treatment source, and the delivery tip of the medium delivery assembly including a plurality of delivery points for delivering the treatment medium at a plurality of treatment areas within the pericardial space. The device performs modulation or ablation of the autonomic nervous system at selected treatment areas within the pericardium.