Abstract: A charging energy control system may include an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external charger. The IMD receives charging energy to recharge the battery during a charging energy acceptance period and rejects the charging energy during an actual charging energy rejection period. The external charger transmits the charging energy to the IMD in order to recharge the battery. The external charger may include a charging controller configured to determine the charging energy rejection period, and regulate the charging energy during which the charging controller predicts a predicted charging energy rejection period of the IMD based on the actual recharging energy rejection period. The charging controller is configured to cease or reduce transmission of the charging energy during a charging energy conservation period that is at least a portion of the predicted charging energy rejection period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing or affecting neural stimulation efficiency and/or efficacy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and/or method may apply electromagnetic stimulation to a patient's nervous system over a first time domain according to a first set of stimulation parameters, and over a second time domain according to a second set of stimulation parameters. The first and second time domains may be sequential, simultaneous, or nested. Stimulation parameters may vary in accordance with one or more types of duty cycle, amplitude, pulse repetition frequency, pulse width, spatiotemporal, and/or polarity variations. Stimulation may be applied at subthreshold, threshold, and/or suprathreshold levels in one or more periodic, aperiodic (e.g., chaotic), and/or pseudo-random manners. In some embodiments stimulation may comprise a burst pattern having an interburst frequency corresponding to an intrinsic brainwave frequency, and regular and/or varying intraburst stimulation parameters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method, of fabricating a stimulation lead for stimulating tissue of a patient, comprises: providing a lead body, the lead body comprising a plurality of conductors embedded within insulating material; providing a plurality of terminals; electrically coupling the plurality of terminals with the plurality of conductors; providing a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes comprising a plurality of substantially continuous longitudinal trenches on a surface of the electrodes, the electrodes comprising areas of reflow material forming microstructures substantially continuously along walls of the longitudinal trenches; and electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes with the plurality of conductors.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a paddle lead is implanted within a patient such that the electrodes are positioned within the cervical or thoracic spinal levels. An electrode combination on a first row of electrodes can be determined that is effective for a first pain location with minimal effects on other regions of the body. The first pain location can be addressed by stimulating a first dorsal column fiber due to the relatively fine electrical field resolution achievable by the multiple columns. Then, another electrode combination on a second row of electrodes can be determined for a second pain location with minimal effects on other regions. The second pain location could be addressed by stimulating a second dorsal column fiber. After the determination of the appropriate electrodes for stimulation, the patient's IPG can be programmed to deliver pulses using the first and second rows according to the determined electrode combinations.

Abstract: Nerve cuff electrode including a tubular body having a longitudinal slit having electrodes disposed within the body. Wedge shape slits are formed into at least one of the interior wall and the exterior wall of the body, whereby the number and location of slits provided to facilitate the adjustment of the amount of compressive force of nerve cuff electrode about the nerve.

Abstract: An implantable stimulation system including an epidural lead for spinal cord stimulation that includes a paddle having an array of electrodes coupled to conductors within the paddle body. The paddle is elongated in shaped with the distal end of the paddle having a tabbed or extended portion with the lead exiting the extended portion of the paddle an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the paddle.

Abstract: An implantable stimulation system including an epidural lead for spinal cord stimulation that includes a paddle having an array of electrodes coupled to conductors within the lead body. The paddle includes score lines that extend along the length and width of either the front or back facets of the paddle portion. The score lines increase the flexibility of the paddle in both the length and width directions which facilitate the implantation of the paddle within the epidural space of the spinal cord, and further permits the paddle to conform more uniformly to the target area of implantation to minimize the gap between the electrodes and targeted fibers.