Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Variable amplitude signals for neurological therapy, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method includes activating automatic delivery of an electrical therapy signal to a patient's spinal cord region at a frequency in a frequency range between 1.5 kHz and 100 kHz, via at least one signal delivery contact carried by an implanted signal delivery device. The delivery can include repeatedly and automatically delivering the electrical therapy signal at each of multiple therapy signal amplitudes to the at least one signal delivery contact, without the therapy signal generating paresthesia in the patient. The foregoing process can be used as a screening tool to screen responders from non-responders in the context of a non-paresthesia-generating therapy, and/or can be used during long-term treatment, for example, for chronic pain.

Abstract: Electromagnetic stimulation for treating diseases, conditions associated with diseases and/or inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency stimulation in the range of from about 1.5 kHz to about 100 kHz may be applied to a patient's target tissue region to treat the disease, associated condition and/or to inhibit pain. Electrical stimulation in accordance with similar parameters can directly affect a cellular membrane, such as a neuron and in particular, a spontaneously active neuron and/or a quiescent neuron.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to spinal cord modulation leads having one or more sidewall openings configured for inserting stylets to steer and/or position the leads within a patient and/or with respect to a pulse generator, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, sidewall opening is generally positioned in an intermediate portion of the lead and is operatively coupled to a lumen extending distally to a distal end of the lead, and/or proximally to a proximal end of the lead.

Abstract: A lead anchor comprising a longitudinally extending anchor body and a retainer. The longitudinally extending anchor body having a lumen positioned to receive a spinal cord lead therethrough and having a retainer pocket intersecting the lumen. The retainer is positioned in the retainer pocket. The retainer comprises a first grip member having at least one first aperture, a second grip member having at least one second aperture, and at least one U-shaped resilient portion connecting the first and second grip members.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning implanted devices in a patient are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes, for each of a plurality of patients, receiving a target location from which to deliver a modulation signal to the patient's spinal cord. The method further includes implanting a signal delivery device within a vertebral foramen of each patient, and positioning an electrical contact carried by the signal delivery device to be within ±5 mm. of the target location, without the use of fluoroscopy. The method can still further include, for each of the plurality of patients, activating the electrical contact to modulate neural activity at the spinal cord. In further particular embodiments, RF signals, ultrasound, magnetic fields, and/or other techniques are used to locate the signal delivery device.

Abstract: Electrical stimulation, including high frequency stimulation, for altering autonomic functions, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method includes directing an electrical signal to a target tissue at (a) a ventral region of the patient's spinal canal, (b) a sympathetic chain structure, or (c) both (a) and (b), at a frequency in a range from 1 kHz to 100 kHz, and an amplitude that does not generate an objectionable, patient-detectable sensation.

Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region from an epidural, cervical location to address at least one of high back pain, mid-back pain, low back pain, and leg pain without creating paresthesia in the patient.

Abstract: Autonomic nervous system control via high frequency spinal cord modulation, and associated systems and methods. A method for treating a patient in accordance with a particular embodiment includes selecting a neural modulation site to include a neural population of the patient's spinal cord, and selecting parameters of a neural modulation signal to at least reduce an autonomic system deficit in the patient.

Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.

Abstract: Spinal cord modulation for inducing paresthetic and anesthetic effects, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes creating a therapeutic effect and a sensation in a patient by delivering to the patient first pulses having a first set of first signal delivery parameters and second pulses having a second set of second signal delivery parameters, wherein a first value of at least one first parameter of the first set is different than a second value of a corresponding second parameter of the second set, and wherein the first pulses, the second pulses or both the first and second pulses are delivered to the patient's spinal cord.

Abstract: Methods for automatically programming a signal generator in a patient therapy system and associated systems are disclosed. A representative method comprises retrieving data including therapy program parameters, level of efficacy, and medication use corresponding to a plurality of time periods; identifying from the data a target time period having a corresponding level of efficacy; determining from the data if medication was used during the target time period; determining from the data if medication was used during a prior time period immediately before the target time period; calculating a lead position confidence factor; and programming the signal generator to repeat therapy with the therapy program parameters corresponding to the target time period if the confidence factor is greater than a threshold value and medication was used during the prior time period and not during the target time period.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides systems and methods of communication between implanted medical devices, e.g., implanted pulse generators, and handheld consumer devices, e.g., smartphones, via standard wireless communication protocols, e.g., Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) operating in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz frequency band.

Abstract: Electrical therapy applied to the brain with increased efficacy and/or decreased undesirable side effects, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative method includes applying a therapy signal to a patient, via at least one electrode at a subdural or epidural location at the patient's brain, to provide effective therapy that reduces or eliminates the effects of a patient disorder. The therapy signal does not induce any non-therapeutic side effects, and has a frequency in a frequency range of from 1.2 kHz to 500 kHz, an amplitude in an amplitude range from 0.1 to 20 mA, and a pulse width in a pulse width range from 1 microsecond to 400 microseconds.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating neurodegenerative disorders with high frequency stimulation are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes applying an electrical signal to the patient via a treatment system that includes a signal delivery element positioned at or within a white matter of the patient's brain, spinal cord, or both, the electrical signal having a frequency of from about 1.5 kHz to about 100 kHz.

Abstract: Insertion devices and associated systems and methods for the percutaneous placement of patient leads are disclosed herein. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a cannula having a lumen and a first dilator. The first dilator can be positioned within the lumen and the first dilator and the cannula can be used to create a percutaneous entry point. An additional dilator can be positioned over the first dilator and advanced into the percutaneous entry point to expand the percutaneous entry point. A final dilator can be inserted into the patient and two leads can be advanced into the patient through the final dilator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extending the life of an implanted pulse generator battery are disclosed. A representative method for establishing charge parameters for a battery-powered implantable medical device includes receiving a patient-specific therapy signal parameter and, based at least in part on the patient-specific therapy signal parameter, determining a discharge rate for a battery of the implanted medical device. The method can further include determining a therapy run time, based at least in part on the discharge rate. The method can still further include determining at least one battery charging parameter, based at least in part on the run time.

Abstract: Improving motor function in spinal cord injury patients (among others) via electrical stimulation, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method includes, in a patient having a spinal cord injury, improving the patient's gait response by delivering an electrical signal that includes repeating pulse packets delivered at a first frequency of from 2 Hz to 200 Hz. The electrical signal is delivered from an epidural location at the patient's spinal cord, and the individual pulse packets include a first period during which pulses are delivered at a first frequency of from 1 kHz to 5 kHz and a first pulse width of from 80 microseconds to 400 microseconds and a first amplitude from 0.1 mA to 20 mA, followed by a second period during which pulses are (a) not delivered, or (b) delivered at a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and/or a second pulse width shorter than the first pulse width, and/or a second amplitude less than the first amplitude.