A method and system are provided to deliver nested stimulation to brain tissue of interest. The method and system set first parameters that define a carrier waveform. The method and system set second parameters that define a high frequency waveform, wherein at least one of the carrier waveform and high frequency waveform are defined to correspond to physiologic neural oscillations associated with the brain tissue of interest. The method and system operates a pulse generator to generate a nested stimulation waveform that combines the carrier waveform and high frequency waveform. The nested stimulation waveform has a plurality of pulse bursts. The method and system deliver the nested stimulation waveform through one or more electrodes to the brain tissue of interest.

A device for stimulating a nerve of a living being comprises: a stimulation generating unit; a first pair of electrodes, a second pair of electrodes, and a third pair of electrodes configured to be arranged in a first, second, and third location, respectively, in relation to the nerve; wherein the stimulation generating unit is configured to generate a first waveform comprising a first frequency; a second waveform comprising a second frequency, and a third waveform comprising a third frequency to the first, second, and third pairs of electrodes, respectively; wherein the first and second frequencies define a beat frequency and the third frequency is related to the beat frequency by an integer number, wherein the stimulation generating unit is configured to output the first, second, and third waveforms for causing interferential stimulation in the nerve.

A wirelessly powered implantable stimulator device includes one or more antenna configured to receive an input signal non-inductively from an external antenna, the input signal containing (i) electrical energy to operate the implantable stimulator device and (ii) configuration data according to which a pulse-density modulation (PDM) encoded stimulus waveform signal is retrieved to synthesize a desired stimulation waveform; a circuit coupled to the one or more antenna; and one or more electrodes coupled to the circuit and configured to apply the desired stimulation waveform to neural tissue, wherein the circuit is configured to: rectify the input signal received at the one or more antennas non-inductively; extract the electrical energy and the configuration data from the input signal; and in accordance with the extracted configuration data, retrieve the pulse-density modulation (PDM) signal to synthesize the desired stimulation waveform therefrom.

In accordance with the present invention, various embodiments of neurostimulators and stimulation systems are disclosed that provide different shapes and patterns of stimulus pulses and trains of pulses with fixed and no fixed frequencies. The neurostimulator can be configured to provide high frequency stimulation and also be implantable in the head or neck regions in order to stimulate nerves and nerve ganglions in the head and neck regions and also stimulate the brain.

A peripheral nerve stimulator can be used to stimulate a peripheral nerve to treat essential tremor, Parkinson tremor, and other forms of tremor. The peripheral nerve stimulator can be either a noninvasive surface stimulator or an implanted stimulator. Stimulation can be electrical, mechanical, or chemical. Stimulation can be delivered using either an open loop system or a closed loop system with feedback.

An electro-acupuncture (EA) system and method for performing EA on a patient are provided. The EA system comprises a wearable neurostimulator device, at least a first pair of electrically-conductive acupuncture needles and a system controller. The wearable neurostimulator device comprises a casing, an EA circuit mechanically coupled to the casing, and an attachment device mechanically coupled to the casing and adapted to removably secure the wearable neurostimulator device to the patient. The first pair of electrically-conductive acupuncture needles is mechanically coupled to the casing and electrically coupled to the EA circuit. The system controller is in communication with the EA circuit of the wearable neurostimulator device via a communication link and controls the EA circuit to cause the EA circuit to output an output voltage selected by the system controller at a frequency selected by the system controller.

Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue generate stimulation trains with temporal patterns of stimulation, in which the interval between electrical pulses (the inter-pulse intervals) changes or varies over time. Compared to conventional continuous, high rate pulse trains having regular (i.e., constant) inter-pulse intervals, the non-regular (i.e., not constant) pulse patterns or trains that embody features of the invention provide a lower average frequency.

A neuromodulation system comprises a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes, a user interface configured for receiving input from a user that selects one of a plurality of different shapes of a modulating signal and/or selects one of a plurality of different electrical pulse parameters of an electrical pulse train, neuromodulation output circuitry configured for outputting an electrical pulse train to the plurality of electrical terminals, and pulse train modulation circuitry configured for modulating the electrical pulse train in accordance with the selected shape of the modulating signal and/or selected electrical pulse parameter of the electrical pulse train.

A method of treating osteoarthritis in a knee includes generating, by an implantable stimulator configured to be implanted beneath a skin surface of a patient, stimulation sessions at a duty cycle that is less than 0.05, and applying, by the implantable stimulator in accordance with the duty cycle, the stimulation sessions to a location that includes at least one of an acupoint labeled ST35, an acupoint labeled EX-LE-4, and a location on a line that intersects the acupoints labeled ST35 and EX-LE-4. 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. The implantable stimulator is powered by a primary battery located within the implantable stimulator and having an internal impedance greater than 5 ohms.

A method is disclosed for programming a patient's stimulator device using an external device. The method obtains information such as a model at the external device, wherein the information is specific to the patient, wherein the information comprises a range or volume of stimulation parameters determined based on testing of the patient that preferably provide sub-perception therapy; and providing from the external device instructions for execution at the stimulator device, the instructions specifying an amplitude, a pulse width, and a frequency of stimulation pulses to be provided at one of more of electrodes in an electrode array of the patient's stimulator device, wherein the instructions vary over time at least one of the amplitude, pulse width, and frequency within the range or volume. Varying at least one of these parameters helps in preventing the patient's neural tissue from become habituated when compared to stimulation that is provided without variance.