A lead introducer includes an integrated sheath/needle including a splittable sheath configured to split a into a first portion and a second portion, a needle having a length and a proximal end region, and a hub coupled to the proximal end regions of the splittable sheath and the needle and configured to split into a first portion and a second portion. The needle is permanently attached to either the first portion of the hub or the first portion of the splittable sheath (or both) so that when the hub is split into the first and second portions, the needle remains attached to the first portion of the hub or the first portion of the splittable sheath.

Provided herein is a method of blocking a nerve or neuron including applying an electrical stimulation to the nerve or neuron, wherein the electrical stimulation is of an intensity that is greater than an excitation threshold of the nerve or neuron for a length of time sufficient to produce a block of nerve conduction or neuron excitation.

Systems and methods are provided for electrical stimulation using electrical neurostimulators to treat neurological disorders. In exemplary implementations, the systems and methods effectuate selective sensory transmission block by spatially and temporally patterned multichannel, closed-loop electrical stimulation of neural tissue across the intervertebral foramina. The systems and methods optimize stimulation parameters according to the conduction velocity of afferents leading to effective neural transmission block. The systems and methods provide a dramatic improvement of selective transmission block, e.g., in a sub-population of unmyelinated C-fibers and slow-conducting Aδ fibers, by combining spatial, frequency and temporal parameters in the disclosed stimulation paradigm. An optimized start and termination of the stimulation may be implemented, as desired, thereby reducing overall energy consumption by reducing the stimulus strength during the maintenance phase of neural transmission block.

A neuromodulation system and method of providing sub-threshold modulation therapy. Electrical modulation energy is delivered to a target tissue site of the patient at a programmed intensity value, thereby providing therapy to a patient without perception of stimulation. In response to an event, electrical modulation energy is delivered at incrementally increasing intensity values. At least one evoked compound action potential (eCAP) is sensed in a population of neurons at the target tissue site of the patient in response to the delivery of the electrical modulation energy at the incrementally increasing intensity values. One of the incrementally increased intensity values is selected based on the sensed eCAP(s). A decreased intensity value is automatically computed as a function of the selected intensity value. Electrical modulation energy is delivered to the target tissue site of the patient at the computed intensity value, thereby providing sub-threshold therapy to the patient.

The present disclosure relates to a neurostimulation system, in particular for Cortical and/or Deep Brain Stimulation, comprising:

at least one implant unit comprising:

at least one first antenna, and

at least one lead having at least one electrode array with at least one electrode; and

at least one wearable device comprising at least one second antenna,

wherein the at least one wearable device is configured to wirelessly control and wirelessly communicate with the at least one implant unit, and wherein the at least one electrode is made of reduced graphene oxide, such as hydrothermally reduced graphene oxide.

A Closed Loop Hybrid Modulation Methodology, including the following four methods of neural stimulation: METHOD 1: A priming electrical signal followed by a second magnetic signal. METHOD 2: A magnetic priming signal followed by a second electrical signal. METHOD 3: A priming magnetic signal followed by a second magnetic signal. METHOD 4: A priming hybrid electric and magnetic signal followed by a second hybrid electric and magnetic signal.

Systems and methods are disclosed to permit a patient to use his external controller to move the location of stimulation in an implantable stimulator system. The external controller can be programmed with a steering algorithm, which prompts the patient to enter certain data regarding their symptoms (e.g., pain), such as pain scores and stimulation coverage. Such data is preferably entered for a plurality of different regions of the patient's body. The algorithm can compute for each body regions a targeting precision value (TP), and from these values determine a steering vector D that suggests a direction and/or a magnitude that stimulation can be moved in the electrode array to more precisely target the patient's pain. The patient may then move the location of the stimulation in accordance with the steering vector using their external controller. The algorithm can be repeated if necessary to again move the stimulation.

User-specific neurostimulation settings are efficiently determined and optimized based on an optimized set of population-based neurostimulation settings. The population data are clustered and a set of test settings for a new user are selected as settings that efficiently discriminate between the clusters. User preference of the test settings are used to map the user to a particular cluster of settings, which can be used to determine user-specific neurostimulation settings. The user-based settings can be iteratively updated and/or optimized using information from the population data, such as by using average preference score surfaces in the population data to identify and/or filter new test settings for the user.

Systems and methods are disclosed in which a time series analysis algorithm is used to analyze inputs such as adjustments a patient has made to the amplitude of stimulation in an implantable stimulator system. The algorithm uses these inputs to predict how the patient would likely adjust the amplitude in the future, i.e. to predict future amplitudes for the patient as a function of time. Preferably, the algorithm determines one or more of an amplitude level, at least one seasonal variation, or at least one trend when predicting the amplitude. This predicted amplitude can then be used to automatically adjust the amplitude of the stimulation provided by the patient's stimulator. The algorithm may only use previous amplitude adjustments to predict the amplitude, other time-varying inputs, or combinations of both.

The present technology is directed generally to spinal cord modulation and associated systems and methods for treating pain and other patient conditions. In particular, the present technology includes modified high frequency neuromodulation signals and administration patterns.