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: Molded headers, implantable signal generators having molded headers, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. An implantable signal generator in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a can having a shell and a battery positioned at least partially within the shell. An output terminal can be operably coupled to the battery and positioned to provide electrical power to a signal delivery device. A pre-molded header having a plurality of openings can be coupled to the can, and the output terminal can be positioned at least partially within an individual opening.

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. In particular embodiments, aspects of the foregoing modulation therapies may be implemented by systems and devices that have simplified functionalities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting low-power, effective signal delivery parameters for an implanted pulse generator are disclosed. A representative system includes a signal generator and a computer-readable medium that, for first and second signals, increases and decreases an amplitude of the signal over multiple steps from a baseline amplitude at which the patient has a baseline response. At individual step increases and decreases, the system receives a pain score based on the patient's response. The instructions compare the pain scores for the two signals and determine one of the signals for additional therapy to the patient, based on the pain scores and an expected energy consumption of the signals.

Abstract: Methods for identifying responders to paresthesia-free stimulation therapy, and associated systems are disclosed. A representative method comprises implanting a pair of spinal cord signal delivery devices and connecting an external signal generator thereto. A plurality of the electrical contacts are simultaneously activated with a high frequency signal without causing paresthesia in the patient, wherein the electrical contacts would cause paresthesia in the patient if activated with a low frequency signal. The high frequency signal is in a range of from about 3 kHz to about 20 kHz and an amplitude of less than 4 mA. If the patient responds favorably, a signal generator is implanted in the patient. A second high frequency signal is then applied to fewer than the plurality of electrical contacts.

Abstract: Systems for disease treatment using electrical stimulation are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes changing an activity, expression, or both activity and expression of a fast sodium channel, a glial cell, or both a fast sodium channel and a glial cell of the patient by applying to a target neural population of the patient an electrical therapy signal having a frequency in a frequency range of 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz.

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: Devices for controlling spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain, and associated systems and methods, including controllers for modulation program recommendation are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes receiving, from multiple computing devices, ratings for modulation programs executed by implantable medical devices for a plurality of patients, ranking the modulation programs based on the received ratings and based on at least one characteristic of the patients and the symptoms described by the patients, receiving a recommendation request for a modulation program for a particular patient; and transmitting one or more of the highest ranking modulation programs in response to the request for a modulation program for the particular 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: Systems and methods for managing pain in a patient using an electrical waveform that link the modulation of a waveform parameter for different areas of a patient. One embodiment in a system for managing pain in a patient comprises an electric device configured to be implanted into the patient and including a plurality of electrodes having at least a first electrode associated with a first area of the patient and a second electrode associated with a second area of the patient. The system further includes an implantable device configured to be coupled to the electrode device and having a computer-operable medium programmed to change the waveform parameter applied to the first electrode and automatically set the waveform parameter applied to the second electrode based on a relationship between a first therapy range and a second therapy range of the waveform parameter.

Abstract: System and methods for detecting impedance changes and for adjusting electrical therapy based on impedance changes are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes applying a therapeutic, paresthesia-less electrical signal to a patient via a patient modulation system that includes a signal delivery device in electrical communication with a target neural population of the patient. The method can include monitoring on a periodic basis an impedance of an electrical circuit that includes the signal delivery device. The method can further include detecting a change in the impedance that indicates a fault and providing an indication that the fault exists.

Abstract: Couplings for implanted leads and external stimulators, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A connector in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion pivotably connected to each other. The first housing portion has an elongated fixed stop opening. The second housing portion has a stop element and a plurality of connector contacts positioned to electrically contact a plurality of connection contacts of a spinal cord stimulation lead. The first and second housing portions are pivotably connected to each other to move between a partially-opened position in which the stop element is in a first location in the elongated fixed stop opening, and a closed position in which the stop element has a second location in the elongated fixed stop opening.

Abstract: System and methods for adjusting electrical therapy based on impedance changes are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes applying a therapeutic electrical signal to a patient via an implanted portion of a patient stimulation system that includes a signal delivery device in electrical communication with a target neural population of the patient. The electrical signal is delivered in accordance with a signal delivery parameter having a first value. Using the implanted portion of the patient stimulation system, a change in an impedance of an electrical circuit that includes the signal delivery device is detected. Based at least in part on the detected impedance change, the method can further include automatically adjusting the value of the signal delivery parameter from the first value to a second value different from the first, without human intervention.

Abstract: Communication and charging assemblies for medical devices are disclosed herein. A communication and charging assembly in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a support element, with a communication antenna and a charging coil coupled to the support element. The charging coil can include wire loops having a plurality of wires and the support element can include a mounting surface shaped to match the charging coil and the communication antenna. In one embodiment, the communication and charging assembly are mounted in a header of an implantable signal generator.

Abstract: Methods for systematically testing a plurality of therapy programs in a spinal cord modulation system, and associated systems are disclosed. A representative method comprises loading a plurality of therapy programs into a signal generator, wherein individual therapy programs include parameters specifying electrode configuration, signal amplitude, and/or signal frequency. The programs are automatically activated for an automatically instructed period of time. The method includes automatically changing from one therapy program to another after the instructed period of time. The patient is queried for patient input corresponding to the therapy programs. The patient input is received via a remote. The patient input is correlated with a corresponding time of day and recorded in the signal generator. Thereafter, the patient input is retrieved from the signal generator.

Abstract: A spinal cord lead anchor comprising a longitudinally extending sleeve having an aperture sized and positioned to receive a spinal cord lead. A retainer is disposed around the sleeve and is operative to compress at least a portion of the sleeve against a spinal cord lead extending through the sleeve. A cover extends around the retainer and includes at least one opening formed through the cover to facilitate engaging the retainer with a tool.

Abstract: Therapy systems for treating a patient are disclosed. Representative therapy systems include an implantable pulse generator, a signal delivery device electrically coupled to the pulse generator, and a remote control in electrical communication with the implantable pulse generator. The pulse generator can have a computer-readable medium containing instructions for performing a process that comprises collecting the patient status and stimulation parameter; analyzing the collected patient status and stimulation parameter; and establishing a preference baseline containing a preferred stimulation parameter corresponding to a particular patient status.

Abstract: Devices for controlling spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain, and associated systems and methods, including controllers for automated parameter selection are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes receiving a first input corresponding to a location of a signal delivery device implanted in a patient, establishing a positional relationship between the signal delivery device and an anatomical feature of the patient, receiving a second input corresponding to a medical indication of the patient, and, based at least in part on the positional relationship and the indication, automatically identifying a signal delivery parameter in accordance with which a pulsed electrical signal is delivered to the patient via the signal delivery device.

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. In particular embodiments, aspects of the foregoing modulation therapies may be implemented by systems and devices that have simplified functionalities.

Abstract: Extended pain relief 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 at least one of a dorsal root entry zone and dorsal horn of the patient's spinal cord, and selecting parameters of a neural modulation signal to reduce patient pain for a period of time after ceasing delivery of the signals, the period of time being at least one tenth of one second.