Methods, devices and systems to improve neural stimulation by applying biphasic waveforms including a positive anodal pulse followed by a negative cathodal pulse to speed conduction and improve mitochondrial function in conditions such as cerebellar dysfunction (such as gluten ataxia, spinocerebellar ataxia, and Alzheimer's disease). Improved neural stimulation of more distal brain structures may interrupt epileptic seizures. Additionally, biphasic waveforms including a positive anodal pulse followed by a negative cathodal pulse speed wound healing by lowering the cell membrane potential of the skin, and may stimulate the release of hormonal secretions or insulin by proper placement of electrodes.

Stimulation of neural activity in a nerve supplying the spleen, wherein the nerve is associated with a neurovascular bundle, can re-programme immune cells in the spleen, modulate pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules levels, and induce disease-resolution pathways system-ically thereby reducing inflammation and providing ways of treating inflammatory disorders. The invention provides improved ways of treating inflammatory disorders which minimize off-target effects.

A neural stimulator system which generates stimulation from an implantable stimulator circuit which generates stimulation outputs which mimic biological signals. The user/operator can select stimulation generated from recorded waveforms, or by selecting the characteristics for generating stimulation based on randomized inter-pulse-intervals (IPI). A control unit controls the operation of the implantable stimulator circuit, and receives sets of stimulation parameters based on user input from a user input device executing application specific programming.

A method of downregulating and/or upregulating neural activity by applying a high frequency alternating current electrical signal to a nerve in a subject is disclosed. The signal comprises more than one microsecond cycle comprising one or more periods, each period comprising a charge recharge phase, and optionally, a pulse delay, each period having a frequency of at least 1000 Hz; and a microsecond inactive phase. In embodiments, an electrical signal treatment comprises more than one microsecond cycle to form a millisecond cycle, each millisecond cycle separated by a millisecond inactive phase during an on time. In embodiments, the electrical signal patterns can differ in amplitude.

Systems and methods for treating a patient having a blood glucose abnormality, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), using an electrical signal are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes, based at least in part on a patient indication of a blood glucose abnormality, positioning at least one implantable signal delivery device proximate to a target location at the patient's spinal cord within a vertebral range of from about C8 to about T12. The method further includes directing an electrical signal to the target location via the implantable signal delivery device, wherein the electrical signal has a frequency in a frequency range of from 1.2 kHz to 100 kHz.

Methods and systems for providing sub-perception spinal cord stimulation are described. In some examples, the stimulation current is shared among three or more anodes and three or more cathodes to provide virtual poles that are configured to cover a relatively large area of the patient's neural tissue that contains the “sweet spot” for treating the patient's pain. Covering a relatively large area mitigates the need to perform time-intensive sweet spot searching. In some examples, one or more stimulation parameters are varied while the stimulation is being provided.

The present technology provides systems and methods for directly suppressing nerve cells by delivering electrical stimulation having relatively long pulse widths and at amplitudes below an activation threshold of the nerve cells. For example, some embodiments include delivering a therapy signal having individual pulses with pulse widths of between about 5 ms and 100 ms. Directly suppressing the nerve cells is expected to reduce the transmission of pain signals.

A method of localizing brain regions for the purpose of guiding placement of electrodes and related implants is disclosed. The inventive method involves effecting a pulse in a patient's brain, temporally aligning readings taken from an electrode at various depths, measuring local field potentials at each depth during interstimulus intervals, performing a coherence analysis comparing the local field potential measurements of the different depths, and determining a corresponding brain region for the depths compared.

A method of providing electrical stimulation to a patient, to treat a disorder from which the patient suffers, includes: detecting respiration of the patient with a sensor; and repeatedly administering electrical stimulations to a target site of the patient. Suitably, the repeated administration of said electrical stimulations is automatically synchronized with the respiration of the patient as detected by the sensor.

Methods and systems are provided to improve SDB in a patient suffering therefrom by delivering an electrical neuromodulation signal to at least a target site comprising an efferent fiber of the glossopharyngeal nerve that innervates pharyngeal constrictor muscles or the stylopharyngeus muscle. Methods include further delivering electrical neuromodulation signals to other sites including one or more combinations of the ansa cervicalis, the hypoglossal nerve, the palatoglossus muscle, and/or the palatopharyngeus muscle. The electrical neuromodulation signal delivered to efferent fibers of the glossopharyngeal nerve can be done independent of a detected sensory or input signal that measures the neuromuscular state of the patient's airway.