Abstract: The present technology provides systems and methods for directly suppressing nerve cells by delivering electrical stimulation having relatively long pulse widths and at amplitudes below an activation threshold of the nerve cells. For example, some embodiments include delivering a therapy signal having individual pulses with pulse widths of between about 5 ms and 100 ms. Directly suppressing the nerve cells is expected to reduce the transmission of pain signals.

Abstract: Stimulation for treating sensory deficits in patients with spinal cord injuries and/or peripheral polyneuropathy, and associated systems and methods. A representative method includes addressing the patient's somatosensory dysfunction, resulting from neuropathy and/or spinal cord injury, by directing an electrical therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord region, the therapy signal having a frequency in a frequency range from 200 Hz to 100 kHz.

Abstract: The present technology provides systems and methods for directly suppressing nerve cells by delivering electrical stimulation having relatively long pulse widths and at amplitudes below an activation threshold of the nerve cells. For example, some embodiments include delivering a therapy signal having individual pulses with pulse widths of between about 5 ms and 100 ms. Directly suppressing the nerve cells is expected to reduce the transmission of pain signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating congestive heart failure with high frequency stimulation are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes applying an electrical signal having a frequency of from about 1 kHz to about 100 kHz to the patient via a treatment system that includes a signal delivery element in electrical communication with the patient's vagus nerve at a portion of the vagus nerve located at or proximate to the anterior interventricular junction of the patient's heart. The method can further include automatically detecting at least one physiological parameter of the patient, automatically determining at least one of an ejection fraction of the patient's heart and a correlate of the ejection fraction based on the detected parameter, and automatically adjusting the applied signal based on the determined ejection fraction.

Abstract: High frequency stimulation for treating sensory and/or motor deficits in patients with spinal cord injuries and/or peripheral polyneuropathy, and associated systems and methods. A representative method includes addressing the patient's somatosensory dysfunction and/or motor dysfunction, resulting from neuropathy and/or spinal cord injury, by directing an electrical therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord region, the therapy signal having a frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz.

Abstract: High frequency stimulation for treating sensory and/or motor deficits in patients with spinal cord injuries and/or peripheral polyneuropathy, and associated systems and methods. A representative method includes addressing the patient's somatosensory dysfunction and/or motor dysfunction, resulting from neuropathy and/or spinal cord injury, by directing an electrical therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord region, the therapy signal having a frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating congestive heart failure with high frequency stimulation are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes applying an electrical signal having a frequency of from about 1 kHz to about 100 kHz to the patient via a treatment system that includes a signal delivery element in electrical communication with the patient's vagus nerve at a portion of the vagus nerve located at or proximate to the anterior interventricular junction of the patient's heart. The method can further include automatically detecting at least one physiological parameter of the patient, automatically determining at least one of an ejection fraction of the patient's heart and a correlate of the ejection fraction based on the detected parameter, and automatically adjusting the applied signal based on the determined ejection fraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient's pain using ramped therapeutic signals for modulating inhibitory interneurons, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes positioning an implantable signal delivery device proximate to a target location at or near the patient's spinal cord, and delivering an electrical therapy signal to the target location via the implantable signal delivery device, wherein the electrical therapy signal has a frequency in a frequency range of from about 1 kHz to about 100 kHz, and wherein the frequency is increased or decreased from a first value to a second value during delivery.

Abstract: The present technology provides systems and methods for directly suppressing nerve cells by delivering electrical stimulation having relatively long pulse widths and at amplitudes below an activation threshold of the nerve cells. For example, some embodiments include delivering a therapy signal having individual pulses with pulse widths of between about 5 ms and 100 ms. Directly suppressing the nerve cells is expected to reduce the transmission of pain signals.

Abstract: The present technology is directed generally to spinal cord modulation and associated systems and methods for treating pain and other patient conditions. In particular, the present technology includes modified high frequency neuromodulation signals and administration patterns.

Abstract: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted electrode for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generating device, and a programmer capable of communicating with the pulse generating device. Stimulation pulses may be defined by several parameters, such as pulse width and amplitude. In methods of stimulating the tissue with the stimulation system, a user may adjust one of the parameters such as pulse width. The programmer may automatically adjust the pulse amplitude in response to the change in pulse width in order to maintain a substantially constant effect of the stimulation pulses.

Abstract: A method of stimulating nerve tissue, a tissue stimulation system, and an external control device are provided. The method, system, and control device causes an electrical stimulus to be applied to at least one electrode adjacent the nerve tissue of a patient. The applied electrical stimulus comprises a plurality of pulses defined by a pulse width value and an amplitude value. The pulse amplitude value is increased (e.g., manually), and the pulse width value is automatically decreased in response to increasing the pulse amplitude value in a manner that increases the intensity of the applied electrical stimulus. Alternatively, the pulse width value may be decreased (e.g., manually), and the pulse amplitude value automatically increased in response to decreasing the pulse width value in a manner that increases the intensity of the applied electrical stimulus.

Abstract: A method, electrical tissue stimulation system, and programmer for providing therapy to a patient are provided. Electrodes are placed adjacent tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) of the patient, electrical stimulation energy is delivered from the electrodes to the tissue in accordance with a defined waveform, and a pulse shape of the defined waveform is modified, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical stimulation energy delivered from the electrode(s) to the tissue. The pulse shape may be modified by selecting one of a plurality of different pulse shape types or by adjusting a time constant of the pulse shape.

Abstract: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted electrode for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generating device, and a programmer capable of communicating with the pulse generating device. Stimulation pulses may be defined by several parameters, such as pulse width and amplitude. In methods of stimulating the tissue with the stimulation system, a user may adjust one of the parameters such as pulse width. The programmer may automatically adjust the pulse amplitude in response to the change in pulse width in order to maintain a substantially constant effect of the stimulation pulses.

Abstract: A method, electrical tissue stimulation system, and programmer for providing therapy to a patient are provided. Electrodes are placed adjacent tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) of the patient, electrical stimulation energy is delivered from the electrodes to the tissue in accordance with a defined waveform, and a pulse shape of the defined waveform is modified, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical stimulation energy delivered from the electrode(s) to the tissue. The pulse shape may be modified by selecting one of a plurality of different pulse shape types or by adjusting a time constant of the pulse shape.

Abstract: A method of treating an ailment suffered by a patient using one or more electrodes adjacent spinal column tissue of the patient, comprises delivering electrical modulation energy from the one or more electrodes to the spinal column tissue in accordance with a continuous bi-phasic waveform having a positive phase and a negative phase, thereby modulating the spinal column tissue to treat the ailment. An implantable electrical modulation system, comprises one or more electrical terminals configured for being coupled to one or more modulation leads, output modulation circuitry capable of outputting electrical modulation energy to the electrical terminal(s) in accordance with a continuous bi-phasic waveform, and control circuitry configured for modifying a shape of the continuous bi-phasic waveform, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical modulation energy outputted to the electrode(s).

Abstract: High frequency stimulation for treating sensory and/or motor deficits in patients with spinal cord injuries and/or peripheral polyneuropathy, and associated systems and methods. A representative method includes addressing the patient's somatosensory dysfunction and/or motor dysfunction, resulting from neuropathy and/or spinal cord injury, by directing an electrical therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord region, the therapy signal having a frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz.

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: In various examples, an apparatus is configured for targeted placement of a lead body within a patient. The lead body includes at least one distal electrode. The apparatus includes a needle including a lumen sized to accommodate the lead body within the lumen. A stylet is insertable within the needle, wherein at least one of the needle and the stylet includes at least one imageable marker corresponding in size, shape, and location to the at least one distal electrode of the lead body. The at least one imageable marker is configured to allow a user to determine placement within the patient of the at least one distal electrode of the lead body prior to implantation of the lead body within the patient.

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.