Electronic devices and systems that overcome the limitation of stiffness and rigidity generally associated with electronics and allow for delivery via minimally invasive or percutaneous access and delivery systems are described herein. The devices and systems are able to change in size, such as from a larger electronic construct to a smaller flowable configuration. The devices and systems are configured to open or reconfigure to return to the original size and spatial dimensions at the site. In another embodiment, the devices and systems begin as a plurality of discrete electrical elements in a flowable state, and change to a non-fluent state thereby forming an electrical construct. The electrical elements are able to communicate by direct contact with each other or near field inter-device communication means. This allows the electronic device or system to be applied, adhere and conform to the underlying surface.

In an example method for increasing synaptic gain in a region of a brain of a subject, a first electromagnetic pulse is applied to a first neural element of a first neuron of the subject using a first electrode. The first neural element includes a first synapse coupled to a second neuron of the subject. Subsequent to applying the first electromagnetic pulse to the first neural element, a second electromagnetic pulse is applied to a second neural element of the second neuron using a second electrode.

Architectures for an implantable neurostimulator system having a plurality of electrode-driver integrated circuits (ICs) in provided. Electrodes from either or both ICs can be chosen to provide stimulation, and one of the IC acts as the master while the other acts as the slave. A parallel bus operating in accordance with a communication protocol couples the ICs, and certain functional blocks not needed in the slave are disabled. Stimulation parameters are loaded via the bus into each IC, and a stimulation enable command is issued on the bus to ensure simultaneous stimulation from the electrodes on both ICs. Clocking strategies are also disclosed to allow clocking of the master and slave ICs to be independently controlled, and to ensure that relevant internal and bus clocks used in the system are synchronized.

Implantable medical devices (IMDs), and methods for use therewith, use a same coil for receiving communication and power signals. An IMD, which is configured to operate in a charge or power mode and in a communication mode, includes a coil, power circuitry and communication circuitry. The coil includes first and second terminals and an intermediate tap therebetween. The power circuitry is coupled, during the charge or power mode, to a first portion of the coil extending between the first and second terminals of the coil. The communication circuitry is coupled to a second portion of the coil extending between the first terminal and the intermediate tap of the coil. A third portion of the coil, extending between the intermediate tap and the second terminal of the coil, is decoupled from the power circuitry during the communication mode, which prevents current from flowing through the third portion of the coil.

An Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) is disclosed that is capable of sensing a degree to which recruited neurons in a patient's tissue are firing synchronously, and of modifying a stimulation program to promote desynchronicity and to reduce paresthesia. An evoked compound action potential (ECAP) of the recruited neurons is sensed as a measure of synchronicity by at least one non-active electrode. An ECAP algorithm operable in the IPG assesses the shape of the ECAP and determines one or more ECAP shape parameters that indicate whether the recruited neurons are firing synchronously or desynchronously. If the shape parameters indicate significant synchronicity, the ECAP algorithm can adjust the stimulation program to promote desynchronous firing.

A method of treating hypertension in a patient includes 1) generating, by an electroacupuncture device implanted beneath a skin surface of the patient at an acupoint corresponding to a target tissue location within the patient, stimulation sessions at a duty cycle that is less than 0.05, wherein the duty cycle is a ratio of T3 to T4, each stimulation session included in the stimulation sessions has a duration of T3 minutes and occurs at a rate of once every T4 minutes, and the electroacupuncture device comprises a central electrode of a first polarity and an annular electrode of a second polarity and that is spaced apart from the central electrode; and 2) applying, by the electroacupuncture device, the stimulation sessions to the target tissue location by way of the central electrode and the annular electrode in accordance with the duty cycle.

An embodiment in accordance with the present invention is directed to a system and device for applying electrical direct current transcranially to the brain that is combined with a behavioral activity consisting of an isometric force production task. The device is non-invasive or implantable and serves to improve motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other movement disorders. During the stimulation, the patient is engaged in a behavioral task using a system consisting of two force transducers and a controller. The patient holds the transducers, one in each hand, and is engaged in a task that requires the brain to assign forces to each arm so that the sum of the forces matches an instructed amount. In an electrode placement specifically for PD, bilateral primary motor cortices are simultaneously stimulated according to a specific algorithm that depends on the forces that the PD affected individual produces in the behavioral task.

An implantable pulse generator (IPG) that generates spinal cord stimulation signals for a human body has a programmable signal generator that can generate the signals based on stored signal parameters without any intervention from a processor that controls the overall operation of the IPG. While the signal generator is generating the signals the processor can be in a standby mode to substantially save battery power.

A controller for implementing a method, device and/or system for generating arbitrary waveforms of a desired shape that can be used for generating a stimulation pulse for medical purposes such as for spinal cord stimulation therapy, where such arbitrary waveforms can also be used for charge balancing purposes.

Some embodiments of the disclosure may include a device for wirelessly powering an implant unit in a body of a subject from a location outside of the body of the subject, wherein the implant unit includes a secondary antenna for wirelessly receiving energy. The device may include a primary antenna configured to be located external to the body of the subject, a circuit electrically connected to the primary antenna, and at least one processor electrically connected to the primary antenna and the circuit. The at least one processor may determine a resonant frequency mismatch between a first resonant frequency associated with the primary antenna and a second resonant frequency associated with the secondary antenna associated with the implant unit; and apply an adjustment to at least one component of the circuit to cause a change in the first resonant frequency associated with the primary antenna and a reduction in the resonant frequency mismatch.