Abstract: A system and method for programming a neurostimulation device coupled to a plurality of electrodes implanted adjacent tissue of a patient are provided. A first electrode configuration corresponding to a first mode of programming the neurostimulation device is defined. A second programming mode of programming the neurostimulation device different from the first programming mode is selected. A second electrode configuration is defined based on the first electrode configuration in response to the selection of the second programming mode. The neurostimulation device is programmed using the second programming mode.

Abstract: A splitter for an electrical stimulation system includes a junction having a proximal end and a distal end. An elongated proximal member extends from the proximal end of the junction. The proximal member includes a plurality of terminals disposed on a proximal end of the proximal member. A plurality of elongated distal members extend from the distal end of the junction. Each distal member includes a connector disposed on a distal end of the distal member. The connector is configured and arranged for receiving a lead or lead extension. One of the distal members is longitudinally aligned with the proximal member and at least another one of the distal members is longitudinally offset from the proximal member. A plurality of conductors couple the terminals of the proximal member to the connectors of the distal members.

Abstract: Neurostimulators, neurostimulation systems, and methods for providing therapy to a patient. A neurostimulation system stores reference measurements and reference stimulation parameter sets respectively associated with the reference measurements. A new measurement of least one environmental parameter indicative of a change in a therapeutic environment is taken. Whether the new measurement matches one of the stored reference measurements is determined. If a match is determined, stimulation energy is conveyed from the neurostimulation system to the patient in accordance with the stimulation parameter set corresponding to the matching reference measurement.

Abstract: A stimulation lead includes an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion and has a multilumen tube extending along the elongate body and defining a central lumen and a plurality of peripheral lumens disposed circumferentially around the central lumen; a plurality of conductors, at least one of the conductors extending along the central lumen and a remainder of the conductors extending along the plurality of peripheral lumens with at least one of the conductors in each peripheral lumen; a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal portion of the elongate body and electrically coupled to proximal ends of the conductors; and a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal portion of the elongate body and electrically coupled to distal ends of the conductors. Each of the conductors is coupled to at least one terminal and at least one electrode.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient suffering from chronic neuropathic pain, comprises epidurally applying electrical stimulation energy to a dorsolateral funiculus of the patient, thereby treating the chronic neuropathic pain. The method may further comprise increasing the activation threshold of a side-effect exhibiting neural structure relative to the activation threshold of the dorsolateral funiculus of the patient, wherein the electrical stimulation energy is applied to the dorsolateral funiculus of the patient while the activation threshold of the neural structure relative to the dorsolateral funiculus is increased, thereby treating the chronic neuropathic pain without stimulating the neural structure.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient suffering from chronic neuropathic pain, comprises epidurally applying electrical stimulation energy to a spinothalamic tract of the patient, thereby treating the chronic neuropathic pain. The method may further comprise increasing the activation threshold of a side-effect exhibiting neural structure relative to the activation threshold of the spinothalamic tract of the patient, wherein the electrical stimulation energy is applied to the spinothalamic tract of the patient while the activation threshold of the neural structure relative to the spinothalamic tract is increased, thereby treating the chronic neuropathic pain without stimulating the neural structure.

Abstract: One embodiment is an implantable lead including a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end; multiple electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body; multiple terminal contacts disposed along the proximal end of the lead body; multiple stimulation conductors extending along the lead body and electrically coupling the electrodes to the terminal contacts; at least one diversionary terminal contact disposed along the proximal end of the lead body; and at least one diversionary conductor extending at least partially along the length of the lead body and coupled to the at least one diversionary terminal contact and not coupled to any of the electrodes. The at least one diversionary conductor is configured and arranged to capacitively couple to the stimulation conductors.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying the parameters of an implantable medical device includes an implantable medical device that communicates with a remote control device that, in turn, communicates through the browser of a computer or any other device capable of using mark-up language protocol. The computer optionally communicates with other computers and/or devices through a network.

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. A plurality of first electrical pulses is delivered to a first set of the electrodes, at least a second electrical pulse is delivered to a second set of the electrodes during the deliverance of each of the first electrical pulses, and at least a third electrical pulse is delivered to a third set of the electrodes during the deliverance of each of the first electrical pulses. The first electrical pulses have a first polarity, and each of the second electrical pulse(s) and third electrical pulses(s) has a second a second polarity opposite to the first polarity. The second and third electrical pulses are temporarily offset from each other.

Abstract: A method and medical system for operating two leads disposed adjacent tissue of a patient are provided. A first one of a pair of electrodes respectively carried by the two leads is activated to generate an electrical field within the tissue. An electrical parameter in response to the generated electrical field is measured at a second one of the pair of electrodes. A reference electrical parameter is measured in response to the generated electrical field at a reference electrode carried by the same one of the two leads that carries the first electrode. A reference distance between the first electrode and the reference electrode is known prior to the generation of the electrical field. The ratio between the measured electrical parameter and the measured reference electrical parameter is computed, and the distance between the pair of electrodes is computed as a function of the computed ratio and the reference distance.

Abstract: A neurostimulation lead or lead extension includes a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of first contacts are disposed on the distal end of the lead body. A plurality of second contacts are disposed on a proximal end of the lead body. A plurality of conductors extend along the lead body. Each of the plurality of conductors electrically couples at least one of the first contacts to at least one of the second contacts. At least one of the conductors includes at least one switch disposed along a length of the conductor. The at least one switch is configured and arranged to separate the conductor into a plurality of individual segments when the at least one switch is opened.

Abstract: A tissue stimulation system and computer software and method of monitoring a neurostimulation lead having a plurality of electrodes implanted within a patient (e.g., adjacent the spinal cord) is provided. Neurostimulation lead models are provided, each of which includes estimated electrical parameter data (e.g., electrical field potential data) corresponding to a predetermined position of the neurostimulation lead. Electrical energy is transmitted to or from the electrodes, and electrical parameter data (e.g., electrical field potential data) is measured in response to the transmitted electrical energy. The measured electrical parameter data is compared with the estimated electrical parameter data of each of the neurostimulation lead models, and a position of the neurostimulation lead is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: An implantable connector comprises an electrically insulative housing including an outer wall, an interior cavity surrounded by the outer wall, a port through which the lead body portion can be introduced into the interior cavity, and a pair of first apertures disposed through the outer wall on a first side of the housing. The connector further comprises an electrical spring clip contact mounted to the housing. The contact includes a common portion and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the common portion. The legs respectively extend through the first apertures into the interior cavity, such that the legs firmly engage the electrical terminal therebetween when the lead body portion is introduced into the interior cavity.

Abstract: A lead assembly for a small implantable medical device (a.k.a. micro device 10) provides means to attach a remote electrode to microdevice, which means inhibit fluid ingress when microdevice is not attached to lead assembly. Microdevices may provide either or both tissue stimulation and sensing. Known microdevices include spaced apart electrodes on the outer surface of the microdevice. Lead assembly includes an insulated lead including a proximal end and a distal end, with at least one conductor therebetween: at least one electrode at the distal end of the lead and electrically connected to the at least one conductor, and a connector attached to the proximal end of the lead and adapted to be removably connectable to microdevice. Connector includes at least one contact to electrically connect at least one device electrode on microdevice to at least one conductor, thereby electrically connecting at least electrode and the at least one electrode at the distal end of lead.

Abstract: An external control device for use with a neurostimulator coupled to a plurality of electrodes capable of conveying electrical stimulation energy into tissue in which the electrodes are implanted. The external control device comprises a user interface including at least one control element, a processor configured for independently assigning stimulation amplitude values to a first set of the electrodes, for linking the first set of electrodes together in response to the actuation of the at least one control element, and for preventing the stimulation amplitude values of the first linked set of electrodes from being varied relative to each other, and output circuitry configured for transmitting the stimulation amplitude values to the neurostimulator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are circuits and methods for a multi-electrode implantable stimulator device incorporating one decoupling capacitor in the current path established via at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode. In one embodiment, the decoupling capacitor may be hard-wired to a dedicated anode on the device. The cathodes are selectively activatable via stimulation switches. In another embodiment, any of the electrodes on the devices can be selectively activatable as an anode or cathode. In this embodiment, the decoupling capacitor is placed into the current path via selectable anode and cathode stimulation switches. Regardless of the implementation, the techniques allow for the benefits of capacitive decoupling without the need to associate decoupling capacitors with every electrode on the multi-electrode device, which saves space in the body of the device.

Abstract: A lead includes a lead body with a distal end and a proximal end. A plurality of terminals are disposed at the proximal end of the lead body. A plurality of electrodes are disposed at the distal end of the lead body. Each electrode includes an electrode body and at least one anchoring member. The at least one anchoring member couples to the electrode body and extends into the lead body and beneath the electrode body to anchor the electrode to the lead body. A plurality of conductive wires electrically couple the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals.

Abstract: An implantable device includes an electrode lead body and at least one stimulating electrode contact disposed on or within the electrode lead body, the lead body being configured and arranged to be self anchoring within body tissue. In addition, the invention is directed to methods of making and using such self anchoring implantable devices.

Abstract: An implantable lead has an inner core, a plurality of coiled conductor guides, and a plurality of conductors. The inner core defines a plurality of lumens. Each coiled conductor guide defines a plurality of helical lumens. Each coiled conductor guide is disposed in a coiled arrangement over a portion of the inner core. Each of the conductors electrically couples at least one electrode to at least one terminal. At least one of the conductors includes a plurality of units. Each unit includes a first conductor segment extending along the inner core from a beginning point to a first position, a coiled conductor segment disposed at least partially in one of the lumens of the coiled conductor guides and extending from the first position to the second position, and a second conductor segment extending along the inner core from the second position to an endpoint.

Abstract: Exemplary systems include a stimulator configured to be implanted within a patient, the stimulator having a body defined by at least one side surface disposed in between distal and proximal end surfaces, and a connector assembly configured to be coupled to the stimulator and extend parallel to the at least one side surface of the stimulator. The connector assembly is further configured to facilitate removable coupling of a lead having one or more electrodes disposed thereon to the stimulator.