Abstract: An electrode bundle for implantation in soft tissue comprises two or more electrodes aligned in parallel. Each electrode comprises an electrode element, an anchoring element joined to the electrode element at a portion intermediate between the front end and the rear end thereof and a means bundling the electrodes disposed between the anchoring element and the rear end. The anchoring element forms an angle ? from 0° to 6° with the electrode element and extends in the direction of the rear end thereof. Also disclosed is a stack of electrode bundles, methods for insertion of the bundle and the stack into soft tissue, and their uses.

Abstract: An electrotherapy system for stimulating sensory nerves within skin tissue includes a electrode carrier, a pulse generator, an array of skin-penetrating electrodes and surface skin electrodes, a pulse conditioning circuit, and a power source. The system administers biphasic pulsed current at the surface skin electrodes and monophasic pulsed current at each skin-penetrating electrode. The skin-penetrating surfaces and skin contact surfaces of the electrotherapy system may be sterilized or may be replaceable for outpatient reusability.

Abstract: A method of stimulating sensory nerves is disclosed that comprises the steps of providing an electrode plate with a pattern of needle-like (NL) electrodes and conductive plate (CP) electrodes disposed on a front face of the plate element, the NL electrodes being configured to apply electrical stimulation to cutaneous A?/C fibers, and the CP electrodes being configured to apply electrical stimulation to cutaneous A? fibers; mounting the electrode plate on a patient's skin with the front face in an abutting relationship with the patient's skin, the abutting relationship causing the NL electrodes to penetrate the epidermis of the patient's skin; and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's skin via the pattern of NL electrodes and CP electrodes, the electrical stimulation being applied so that A? fiber input from the CP electrodes overlaps in time at the patient's spinal cord and/or brain stem with A?/C fiber input from the NL electrodes.

Abstract: An electrode array for insertion into soft tissue comprises a multitude of thin flexible electrodes each having a distal tip and a proximal end, wherein at least portions of the electrodes extending from their proximal ends are disposed in parallel. The electrodes are embedded in a matrix dissolvable in an aqueous solvent such as a body fluid. The matrix comprises two or more sections differing in their dissolution rates. A first section encloses a portion of the electrodes extending in a proximal direction from a distal portion thereof. A second section encloses a portion of the electrodes extending from the first section towards their proximal ends.

Abstract: An electrotherapy system for stimulating sensory nerves within skin tissue includes a electrode carrier, a pulse generator, an array of skin-penetrating electrodes and surface skin electrodes, a pulse conditioning circuit, and a power source. The system administers biphasic pulsed current at the surface skin electrodes and monophasic pulsed current at each skin-penetrating electrode. The skin-penetrating surfaces and skin contact surfaces of the electrotherapy system may be sterilized or may be replaceable for outpatient reusability.

Abstract: Electrode plate comprising a stiff or flexible electrically non-conductive plate element having a front face and a rear face and a pattern of needle-like (NL) electrodes for electrical stimulation of cutaneous thin A?/C fibers and conductive plate (CP) electrodes for electrical stimulation cutaneous large A? fibers disposed on the front face.

Abstract: A method of stimulating sensory nerves is disclosed that comprises the steps of providing an electrode plate with a pattern of needle-like (NL) electrodes and conductive plate (CP) electrodes disposed on a front face of the plate element, the NL electrodes being configured to apply electrical stimulation to cutaneous A?/C fibers, and the CP electrodes being configured to apply electrical stimulation to cutaneous A? fibers; mounting the electrode plate on a patient's skin with the front face in an abutting relationship with the patient's skin, the abutting relationship causing the NL electrodes to penetrate the epidermis of the patient's skin; and applying electrical stimulation to the patient's skin via the pattern of NL electrodes and CP electrodes, the electrical stimulation being applied so that A? fiber input from the CP electrodes overlaps in time at the patient's spinal cord and/or brain stem with A?/C fiber input from the NL electrodes.

Abstract: An electrotherapy system for stimulating sensory nerves within skin tissue includes a electrode carrier, a pulse generator, an array of skin-penetrating electrodes and surface skin electrodes, a pulse conditioning circuit, and a power source. The system administers biphasic pulsed current at the surface skin electrodes and monophasic pulsed current at each skin-penetrating electrode. The skin-penetrating surfaces and skin contact surfaces of the electrotherapy system may be sterilized or may be replaceable for outpatient reusability.