Abstract: A method of selecting a subset of electrodes in a stimulator device implanted in a patient for further clinical evaluation is disclosed. The method comprises measuring at least first and second measurement for each of the plurality of electrodes that are indicative of the ability of the electrode if activated to provide useful therapy to the patient in which the stimulator device is implanted A weight is then determined for each of the measurements. The weight is then applied to each electrode measurement, which measurement may be normalized, and the weighted measurements for each electrode are preferably summed to arrive at a value which itself is indicative of a particular electrode's ability to provide useful therapy to the patient. These values can then be used to determine a subset of the electrodes useful for further clinical evaluation in the patient, which improved the accuracy and speeding determining appropriate patient therapy.

Abstract: A method and neurostimulation system for providing therapy to a patient is provided. A plurality of electrodes is placed adjacent to tissue of the patient. The electrodes include first and second electrodes, with the first electrode having a first tissue contacting surface area and the second electrode having a second tissue contact surface area greater than the first tissue contacting surface area. Anodic electrical current is simultaneously sourced from one of the first and second electrodes to the tissue and while cathodic electrical current is sunk from the tissue to another of the first and second electrodes to provide the therapy to the patient.

Abstract: A method and neurostimulation system for providing therapy to a patient is provided. A plurality of electrodes is placed adjacent to tissue of the patient. The electrodes include first and second electrodes, with the first electrode having a first tissue contacting surface area and the second electrode having a second tissue contact surface area greater than the first tissue contacting surface area. Anodic electrical current is simultaneously sourced from one of the first and second electrodes to the tissue and while cathodic electrical current is sunk from the tissue to another of the first and second electrodes to provide the therapy to the patient.

Abstract: A method and neurostimulation system for providing therapy to a patient is provided. A plurality of electrodes is placed adjacent to tissue of the patient. The electrodes include first and second electrodes, with the first electrode having a first tissue contacting surface area and the second electrode having a second tissue contact surface area greater than the first tissue contacting surface area. Anodic electrical current is simultaneously sourced from one of the first and second electrodes to the tissue and while cathodic electrical current is sunk from the tissue to another of the first and second electrodes to provide the therapy to the patient.

Abstract: A method and neurostimulation system for providing therapy to a patient is provided. A plurality of electrodes is placed adjacent to tissue of the patient. The electrodes include first and second electrodes, with the first electrode having a first tissue contacting surface area and the second electrode having a second tissue contact surface area greater than the first tissue contacting surface area. Anodic electrical current is simultaneously sourced from one of the first and second electrodes to the tissue and while cathodic electrical current is sunk from the tissue to another of the first and second electrodes to provide the therapy to the patient.

Abstract: A method and neurostimulation system for providing therapy to a patient is provided. A plurality of electrodes is placed adjacent to tissue of the patient. The electrodes include first and second electrodes, with the first electrode having a first tissue contacting surface area and the second electrode having a second tissue contact surface area greater than the first tissue contacting surface area. Anodic electrical current is simultaneously sourced from one of the first and second electrodes to the tissue and while cathodic electrical current is sunk from the tissue to another of the first and second electrodes to provide the therapy to the patient.

Abstract: A method and neurostimulation system for providing therapy to a patient is provided. A plurality of electrodes is placed adjacent to tissue of the patient. The electrodes include first and second electrodes, with the first electrode having a first tissue contacting surface area and the second electrode having a second tissue contact surface area greater than the first tissue contacting surface area. Anodic electrical current is simultaneously sourced from one of the first and second electrodes to the tissue and while cathodic electrical current is sunk from the tissue to another of the first and second electrodes to provide the therapy to the patient.

Abstract: A method of selecting of subset of electrodes in a stimulator device implanted in a patient for further clinical evaluation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring at least first and second measurement for each of the plurality of electrodes that are indicative of the ability of the electrode if activated to provide useful therapy to the patient in which the stimulator device is implanted, such as electrode impedance, field potential, and nerve response. The measurements can be objective such as those measurements just mentioned, or can comprise subjective measurements which are quantified in response to qualitative feedback from the patient. A weight is then determined for each of the measurements, which may be a predetermined weight or determined on the basis of the variance of the measurement between the electrodes.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed of preparing neural tissue of the brain for subsequent electrical stimulation. For example, first, second and third electrodes may be placed in close proximity to tissue of a patient's brain. A hyperpolarizing electrical pre-pulse may be applied to the tissue through the first electrode wherein the tissue is more susceptible to subsequent electric stimulation, or a depolarizing electrical pre-pulse may be applied to the tissue through the first electrode wherein the tissue is less susceptible to subsequent electric stimulation. Other exemplary embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of electrically stimulating neural tissue of the brain are disclosed. A first electrode is placed in close proximity with tissue of a patient's brain (e.g., in the brain, or on or near the surface of the brain). A hyperpolariziag electrical pre-pulse is applied to the tissue through the first electrode wherein the tissue is more susceptible to subsequent electric stimulation. A subsequent depolarizing electrical pulse is applied to the tissue through the first electrode wherein an action potential is generated in the tissue.

Abstract: A system and method is described for preferentially stimulating dorsal column fibers while avoiding stimulation of dorsal root fibers. The invention applies hyperpolarizing pre-pulses and depolarizing pre-pulses to neural tissue, such as spinal cord tissue, through a lead placed over the spinal cord having the electrodes arranged on a line approximately transverse to the axis of the spine. To increase the threshold needed to stimulate dorsal root fibers, the anodal pulse given by each lateral contact of the electrodes has to be preceded by a depolarizing pre-pulse and simultaneously, the central electrode contact gives a hyperpolarizing pre-pulse, thereby reducing the stimulation threshold for the dorsal column fibers to subsequent depolarizing pulses.

Abstract: A system and method is described for preferentially stimulating dorsal column fibers while avoiding stimulation of dorsal root fibers. The invention applies hyperpolarizing pre-pulses and depolarizing pre-pulses to neural tissue, such as spinal cord tissue, through a lead placed over the spinal cord having the electrodes arranged on a line approximately transverse to the axis of the spine. To increase the threshold needed to stimulate dorsal root fibers, the anodal pulse given by each lateral contact of the electrodes has to be preceded by a depolarizing pre-pulse and simultaneously, the central electrode contact gives a hyperpolarizing pre-pulse, thereby reducing the stimulation threshold for the dorsal column fibers to subsequent depolarizing pulses.

Abstract: A system and method is described for preferentially stimulating dorsal column fibers while avoiding stimulation of dorsal root fibers. The invention applies hyperpolarizing pre-pulses and depolarizing pre-pulses to neural tissue, such as spinal cord tissue, through a lead placed over the spinal cord having the electrodes arranged on a line approximately transverse to the axis of the spine. To increase the threshold needed to stimulate dorsal root fibers, the anodal pulse given by each lateral contact of the electrodes has to be preceded by a depolarizing pre-pulse and simultaneously, the central electrode contact gives a hyperpolarizing pre-pulse, thereby reducing the stimulation threshold for the dorsal column fibers to subsequent depolarizing pulses.

Abstract: A system and method is described for preferentially stimulating dorsal column fibers while avoiding stimulation of dorsal root fibers. The invention applies hyperpolarizing pre-pulses and depolarizing pre-pulses to neural tissue, such as spinal cord tissue, through a lead placed over the spinal cord having the electrodes arranged on a line approximately transverse to the axis of the spine. To increase the threshold needed to stimulate dorsal root fibers, the anodal pulse given by each lateral contact of the electrodes has to be preceded by a depolarizing pre-pulse and simultaneously, the central electrode contact gives a hyperpolarizing pre-pulse, thereby reducing the stimulation threshold for the dorsal column fibers to subsequent depolarizing pulses.

Abstract: A system and method is described for preferentially stimulating dorsal column fibers while avoiding stimulation of dorsal root fibers. The invention applies hyperpolarizing pre-pulses and depolarizing pre-pulses to neural tissue, such as spinal cord tissue, through a lead placed over the spinal cord having the electrodes arranged on a line approximately transverse to the axis of the spine. To increase the threshold needed to stimulate dorsal root fibers, the anodal pulse given by each lateral contact of the electrodes has to be preceded by a depolarizing pre-pulse and simultaneously, the central electrode contact gives a hyperpolarizing pre-pulse, thereby reducing the stimulation threshold for the dorsal column fibers to subsequent depolarizing pulses.

Abstract: Apparatus for multi-channel transverse epidural spinal cord stimulation uses a multi-channel pulse generator driving a plurality of electrodes mounted near the distal end of a lead. These electrodes are mounted in one or more lines, generally perpendicular to the lead axis, and have a planar surface along one surface of the lead. The lead is implanted adjacent to spinal cord dura mater with the electrodes transverse and facing the spinal cord. Pulses generated by the pulse generator for each channel are not simultaneous but are selectively offset in time and may be of equal or varying amplitude and of equal or varying duration. When the pulses given by the stimulator channels are offset in time and have sufficient amplitude and duration, overlapping areas of stimulation of the spinal area can be obtained. In the overlapping areas of stimulation, the frequency of stimulation is double the frequency of the pulses given by the each stimulator channel separately.

Abstract: Apparatus for multi-channel transverse epidural spinal cord stimulation uses a multi-channel pulse generator driving a plurality of electrodes mounted near the distal end of a lead. These electrodes are mounted in one or more lines, generally perpendicular to the lead axis, and have a planar surface along one surface of the lead. The lead is implanted adjacent to spinal cord dura mater with the electrodes transverse and facing the spinal cord. Pulses generated by the pulse generator for each channel are normally simultaneous, of equal amplitude and of equal duration, however the pulse generator is arranged such that pulses for each channel can selectably alternate in time, can selectably be of unequal amplitude, or both. The changes in pulse timing and magnitude permit shifting the electrical stimulation field and the resulting paresthesia pattern after installation to accommodate improper lead placement or postoperative dislocation and to minimize unwanted motor responses.