Abstract: A programming system for selecting an electrode configuration for use in a medical electrical stimulator coupled to an electrode array. A programmer is configured for providing a set of electrode configurations for the electrode array, automatically testing a first portion of the set of electrode configurations in a first order, allowing the selection of one or more of the tested electrode configurations, determining whether a suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion have been selected within a predefined interval, and automatically testing a second portion of the set of electrode configurations in a second order if the suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion are not selected within the predefined interval. The programmer may further allow the selection of the tested electrode configurations, and adjusting parameters during the testing, wherein the adjusting is controllably shared in parallel between a clinician and a patient.

Abstract: A programming system for selecting an electrode configuration for use in a medical electrical stimulator coupled to an electrode array. A programmer is configured for providing a set of electrode configurations for the electrode array, automatically testing a first portion of the set of electrode configurations in a first order, allowing the selection of one or more of the tested electrode configurations, determining whether a suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion have been selected within a predefined interval, and automatically testing a second portion of the set of electrode configurations in a second order if the suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion are not selected within the predefined interval. The programmer may further allow the selection of the tested electrode configurations, and adjusting parameters during the testing, wherein the adjusting is controllably shared in parallel between a clinician and a patient.

Abstract: A programming system for selecting an electrode configuration for use in a medical electrical stimulator coupled to an electrode array. A programmer is configured for providing a set of electrode configurations for the electrode array, automatically testing a first portion of the set of electrode configurations in a first order, allowing the selection of one or more of the tested electrode configurations, determining whether a suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion have been selected within a predefined interval, and automatically testing a second portion of the set of electrode configurations in a second order if the suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion are not selected within the predefined interval. The programmer may further allow the selection of the tested electrode configurations, and adjusting parameters during the testing, wherein the adjusting is controllably shared in parallel between a clinician and a patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for introducing one or more stimulating drugs and/or applying electrical stimulation to the brain to alleviate pain use at least one implantable system control unit (SCU), producing electrical pulses delivered via electrodes implanted in the brain and/or producing drug infusion pulses, wherein the stimulation is delivered to targeted areas in the brain. In some embodiments, one or more sensed conditions are used to adjust stimulation parameters.

Abstract: A programming system for selecting an electrode configuration for use in a medical electrical stimulator coupled to an electrode array. A programmer is configured for providing a set of electrode configurations for the electrode array, automatically testing a first portion of the set of electrode configurations in a first order, allowing the selection of one or more of the tested electrode configurations, determining whether a suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion have been selected within a predefined interval, and automatically testing a second portion of the set of electrode configurations in a second order if the suitable number of electrode configurations from among the first portion are not selected within the predefined interval. The programmer may further allow the selection of the tested electrode configurations, and adjusting parameters during the testing, wherein the adjusting is controllably shared in parallel between a clinician and a patient.

Abstract: Methods for selecting Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS), or other medical electrical stimulator, electrode configurations from a set of electrode configurations are provided. Each electrode configuration represents a polarity or a polarity percentage of the electrodes of an electrode array. The selected electrode configurations may be used in a medical electrical stimulator. Such methods of selecting electrode configurations results in a more efficient programming and use of the stimulation system.

Abstract: A neurostimulation kit and a method of treating a patient are provided. The kit comprises a stimulation backing that includes a flat, electrically insulative, body having a pair of opposing first and second planar surfaces, and an electrode affixed to the first surface of the insulative body. The stimulation backing is implanted within a patient and affixed therein to place the electrode into contact with a tissue surface. The kit comprises a neurostimulator including a housing and stimulation circuitry contained within the housing. The neurostimulator is implanted within the patient by affixing the housing to the second surface of the insulative body, such that the stimulation circuitry is electrically coupled to the electrode.

Abstract: A method of transitioning stimulation energy (e.g., electrical stimulation pulses) between a plurality of electrodes implanted within a patient is provided. The method comprises selecting a plurality of stimulation output values (e.g., electrical current amplitude values) for each of the electrodes. The method further comprises selecting a plurality of different modification values for at least one of the electrodes, respectively multiplying the stimulation output values and the modification values to determine modified stimulation output values for the electrode(s), which may optionally be stored in a steering table, and incrementally transitioning the stimulation energy to or from the electrode(s) in accordance with the modified stimulation output values. The modified stimulation output values are stored in a steering table. The modification values may be selected in a manner that maintains paresthesia when transitioning the stimulation energy between the electrodes.

Abstract: Tissue stimulation systems, such as spinal cord stimulation systems, include a pulse generator to generate pulses at various amplitude, duration, and frequency through one or more electrodes. A visual depiction of both a pulse and an electrode configuration is thus provided herein. These depictions may be used in a stimulation display interface to readily convey stimulation parameter information to a user, wherein the interface is used in a stimulation session.

Abstract: A method for transitioning electrical energy in steps between electrodes implanted within a patient to stimulate tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) is provided. The method comprises determining a maximum comfortable step size, determining a minimum step size, selecting one or more step sizes between the maximum comfortable step size and the minimize step size, and transitioning the electrical energy between the electrodes using the selected one or more step sizes.

Abstract: A tissue stimulation system is provided that evaluates and/or scores stimulation sets based on both patient feedback and frequency of use. Stimulation sets and any associated scores and/or usage may be stored in a retrievable database. Upon subsequent stimulation sessions, a patient may select stimulation sets that have a high score and/or usage in order to effectively meet therapeutic objectives. Methods of determining patient satisfaction, which involve evaluating patient pain before and after stimulation pulses are applied, are also provided herein.

Abstract: A neurostimulation kit and a method of treating a patient are provided. The kit comprises a stimulation backing that includes a flat, electrically insulative, body having a pair of opposing first and second planar surfaces, and an electrode affixed to the first surface of the insulative body. The stimulation backing is implanted within a patient and affixed therein to place the electrode into contact with a tissue surface. The kit comprises a neurostimulator including a housing and stimulation circuitry contained within the housing. The neurostimulator is implanted within the patient by affixing the housing to the second surface of the insulative body, such that the stimulation circuitry is electrically coupled to the electrode.

Abstract: A spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system includes multiple electrodes, multiple, independently programmable, stimulation channels within an implantable pulse generator (IPG) which channels can provide concurrent, but unique stimulation fields, permitting virtual electrodes to be realized. The SCS system includes a replenishable power source (e.g., rechargeable battery), that may be recharged using transcutaneous power transmissions between antenna coil pairs. An external charger unit, having its own rechargeable battery can be used to charge the IPG replenishable power source. A real-time clock can provide an auto-run schedule for daily stimulation. An included bi-directional telemetry link in the system informs the patient or clinician the status of the system, including the state of charge of the IPG battery. Other processing circuitry in the IPG allows electrode impedance measurements to be made. Further circuitry in the external battery charger can provide alignment detection for the coil pairs.

Abstract: Systems for treating an obese patient include one or more sensors configured to sense one or more physical parameters of the patient and one or more implanted stimulators configured to apply a stimulus to the stomach in response to the sensed parameters. Methods of treating an obese patient include sensing one or more physical parameters of the patient and applying a stimulus to the stomach with one or more implanted stimulators in response to the sensed parameters.