Abstract: Methods and systems for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) are disclosed. The methods and systems involve using electrode leads implanted within the patient's spinal column to record neural responses evoked by the stimulation. The disclosed neural responses are different in several respects from electrical responses that have previously been measured in the context of SCS, such as stimulation artifacts and evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs). The disclosed neural responses typically occur later in time following the evoking stimulation pulse. Another distinguishing feature is that disclosed neural responses are generally most prominently observed with consistent, relatively unchanging amplitudes when the evoking stimulation frequency is ultra-low, for example, about 10 Hz or less.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing dosed and calibrated thermal stimulation using an implantable stimulation device are disclosed. Aspects of the disclosure provide bioheat models based on physiological and thermal properties of target anatomy and thermopole algorithms that interact with the bioheat models to derive thermal stimulation parameters for providing dosed and calibrated thermal stimulation. Also, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are disclosed for configuring and targeting heat delivery into specific targets.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering therapeutic electrostimulation across a tissue surface includes a current source, a low current component adapted to contact the tissue surface, a first electrode assembly electrically connected to the current source and supported by the low current component, a second electrode assembly electrically connected to the current source and supported by the low current component and a conductive fluid supported by the low current component for facilitating a flow of electric current across the tissue surface. At least one of the first and second electrodes assemblies includes at least one of a magnetic electrode, a high current component and a non-current component.

Abstract: An electrode assembly includes a substantially porous element configured to be coupled to an electrode for delivery of electrical current to a patient in a neurostimulation procedure. The substantially porous material defining a contact surface, of which at least a portion contacts the patient during the neurostimulation procedure. A first insulating member is coupled to the substantially porous element and exposed at the contact surface to prevent a portion of the contact surface from contacting the patient to deliver the electrical current during the neurostimulation procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a handheld apparatus for in vivo examination of the viability of a biological tissue.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for neuro-cranial stimulation includes an electrode, a conductive gel, and an adapter including an interior compartment for positioning the electrode relative to the adapter and for receiving and retaining the conductive gel. The conductive gel contacts the electrode along an electrode-gel interface. An orifice at one end of the interior compartment and adjacent to a positioning surface of the adapter for positioning the electrode assembly against a skin surface of a user enables the conductive gel is able to contact the skin surface of the user to define a gel-skin interface, such that a minimum distance between the electrode-gel interface and the gel-skin interface is maintained between 0.25 cm and 1.3 cm. An electrode assembly mounting apparatus is provided for adjustably positioning a plurality of electrode assemblies against target positions on the cranium.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for effecting a physiological effect are provided. In some embodiments, a system is provided which comprises a plurality of current sources, where each current source having a positive output and a negative output and each being configured to provide a first current. The system may also include a plurality of stimulating electrodes electrically connected with the plurality of current sources such that at least a pair of the stimulating electrodes share at least one output of at least one of the plurality of current sources. The stimulating electrodes may be configured to provide electrical energy to tissue of a patient at the first current. The system may further include at least one sentinel electrode, and a first voltage monitor configured to monitor a first voltage across the at least one sentinel electrode and at least one of the plurality of stimulating electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering therapeutic electrostimulation across a tissue surface includes a current source, a low current component adapted to contact the tissue surface, a first electrode assembly electrically connected to the current source and supported by the low current component, a second electrode assembly electrically connected to the current source and supported by the low current component and a conductive fluid supported by the low current component for facilitating a flow of electric current across the tissue surface. At least one of the first and second electrodes assemblies includes at least one of a magnetic electrode, a high current component and a non-current component.

Abstract: A method includes coupling electrodes to a patient's head and identifying whether any of the electrodes form a functional set, such that a desired therapeutic effect is achieved when the two or more electrodes deliver a total amount of current to the patient regardless of what portion of the total amount of current each respective electrode carries. One or more constant current sources are provided, each having a supply and return terminal, which supply and return equal amounts of current at any given time. The constant current source(s) are coupled to the electrodes in such a manner that each supply terminal and each return terminal is coupled to no more than the electrodes of a single one of the functional sets, if any, or to a single one of the electrodes not included in one of the functional sets.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering voltage limited neurostimulation to a patient. In one aspect, a method includes initiating a flow of electrical current through a first electrode and a second electrode coupled to the patient and increasing the flow of electrical current toward a target value by increasing a voltage across the first electrode and second electrode. Prior to reaching the target value of electrical current, the method includes preventing the voltage across the first electrode and second electrode from increasing beyond a first predetermined limit; and subsequently, maintaining the voltage across the first electrode and second electrode at or within a predetermined range that does not exceed the first predetermined limit. The amplitude of the electrical current continues to increase toward the target value during at least part of a time when the voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode is maintained within the predetermined range.

Abstract: There is provided method and apparatus for enhancing focality of neurocranial electrostimulation, including: providing a first plurality of electrodes having at least one electrode; providing a second plurality of electrodes having at least two electrodes; locating the first and the second plurality of electrodes on cranium of a subject and supplying electric current of opposite polarities to the first and the second plurality of electrodes. At least one electrode of the first plurality of electrodes is surrounded by at least two electrodes of the second plurality of electrodes. The enhanced focal stimulation may be used to treat ailments or augment cognitive performance. There are also provided methods for treating brain related ailments and performance augmentation.

Abstract: An electrode assembly includes a substantially porous element configured to be coupled to an electrode for delivery of electrical current to a patient in a neurostimulation procedure. The substantially porous material defining a contact surface, of which at least a portion contacts the patient during the neurostimulation procedure. A first insulating member is coupled to the substantially porous element and exposed at the contact surface to prevent a portion of the contact surface from contacting the patient to deliver the electrical current during the neurostimulation procedure.

Abstract: A method to control tissue/device heating at implantable medical devices including neuroprosthetic devices. In a first embodiment, thermal conductivity of components of the implantable medical devices including the neuroprosthetic devices is increased. In a second embodiment, the implantable medical devices including the neuroprosthetic devices are cooled by using heat-sinks. In a third embodiment, portions of the implantable medical devices including the neuroprosthetic devices are replaced with specific thermal properties. In a fourth embodiment, the implantable medical devices including the neuroprosthetic devices are coated with a drug/material that will induce surrounding tissue to become more resistant to temperature increases. In a fifth embodiment, the temperature increase near the implantable devices including the neuroprosthetic devices is determined using a modified bio-heat transfer model. In a sixth embodiment, the shape of the outer or the inner surface of the device is modified.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for developing transcranial electrical stimulation protocols are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes forming a first array of electrodes and optimizing a plurality of electrode parameters within the first array of electrodes to achieve a desired physiological response; identifying one or more electrodes within the optimized first array that have relatively low current compared to the remaining electrodes in the first array; removing the identified low current electrodes from the first array to form a second array of electrodes, wherein the number of electrodes in the second array is less than the number of electrodes in the first array and optimizing a plurality of electrode parameters with the second array of electrodes to achieve a desired physiological response.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering voltage limited neurostimulation to a patient. In one aspect, a method includes initiating a flow of electrical current through a first electrode and a second electrode coupled to the patient and increasing the flow of electrical current toward a target value by increasing a voltage across the first electrode and second electrode. Prior to reaching the target value of electrical current, the method includes preventing the voltage across the first electrode and second electrode from increasing beyond a first predetermined limit; and subsequently, maintaining the voltage across the first electrode and second electrode at or within a predetermined range that does not exceed the first predetermined limit. The amplitude of the electrical current continues to increase toward the target value during at least part of a time when the voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode is maintained within the predetermined range.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for developing transcranial electrical stimulation protocols are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes forming a first array of electrodes and optimizing a plurality of electrode parameters within the first array of electrodes to achieve a desired physiological response; identifying one or more electrodes within the optimized first array that have relatively low current compared to the remaining electrodes in the first array; removing the identified low current electrodes from the first array to form a second array of electrodes, wherein the number of electrodes in the second array is less than the number of electrodes in the first array and optimizing a plurality of electrode parameters with the second array of electrodes to achieve a desired physiological response.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for developing transcranial electrical stimulation protocols are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of accepting an image model of target tissue, obtaining a forward model having a first electrode configuration and first electrical stimulation parameters based on electrical stimulation of the target tissue, accepting electrode configuration changes or electrical stimulation parameter changes resulting in a second electrode configuration or second electrical stimulation parameters, determining an optimized tissue model using a least square methodology and based on the second electrode configuration or second electrical stimulation parameter changes, comparing the optimized tissue model with a desired outcome, and providing a confirmation of the optimized model with the desired outcome.

Abstract: A method includes coupling electrodes to a patient's head and identifying whether any of the electrodes form a functional set, such that a desired therapeutic effect is achieved when the two or more electrodes deliver a total amount of current to the patient regardless of what portion of the total amount of current each respective electrode carries. One or more constant current sources are provided, each having a supply and return terminal, which supply and return equal amounts of current at any given time. The constant current source(s) are coupled to the electrodes in such a manner that each supply terminal and each return terminal is coupled to no more than the electrodes of a single one of the functional sets, if any, or to a single one of the electrodes not included in one of the functional sets.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for neuro-cranial stimulation includes an electrode, a conductive gel, and an adapter including an interior compartment for positioning the electrode relative to the adapter and for receiving and retaining the conductive gel. The conductive gel contacts the electrode along an electrode-gel interface. An orifice at one end of the interior compartment and adjacent to a positioning surface of the adapter for positioning the electrode assembly against a skin surface of a user enables the conductive gel is able to contact the skin surface of the user to define a gel-skin interface, such that a minimum distance between the electrode-gel interface and the gel-skin interface is maintained between 0.25 cm and 1.3 cm. An electrode assembly mounting apparatus is provided for adjustably positioning a plurality of electrode assemblies against target positions on the cranium.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a handheld apparatus for in vivo examination of the viability of a biological tissue.