Neurostimulators and stimulation systems

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, various embodiments of neurostimulators and stimulation systems are disclosed that provide different shapes and patterns of stimulus pulses and trains of pulses with fixed and no fixed frequencies. The neurostimulator can be configured to provide high frequency stimulation and also be implantable in the head or neck regions in order to stimulate nerves and nerve ganglions in the head and neck regions and also stimulate the brain.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implantable neurostimulator for deep brain stimulation, the neurostimulator, comprising:
 a housing that is sized and shaped for implantation in the head or neck; and   a lead connector configured to connect to a stimulation lead having one or more electrode contacts, which contacts are implanted in the brain,   wherein the neurostimulator is capable of providing to the brain, a selectable stimulus frequency in at least the range from about 100 Hz to about 4.8 KHz.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the neurostimulator is capable of providing a selectable stimulus frequency in at least the range from about 500 to about 4.8 kHz. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the neurostimulator is capable of providing a selectable stimulus frequency in at least the range from about 100 Hz to about 1 kHz. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the neurostimulator is capable of providing a selectable stimulus frequency in at least the range from about 100 Hz to about 500 Hz. 
     
     
         5 . A method for implementing deep brain stimulation comprising:
 providing an implantable neurostimulator, wherein the neurostimulator is capable of providing a selectable stimulus frequency in at least the range from about 100 Hz to about 4.8 KHz;   providing at least one stimulation lead that can be connected to the neurostimulator, the lead having one or more electrode contacts; and   implanting into the brain the part of the lead having the one or more electrode contacts.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the neurostimulator is capable of providing a selectable stimulus frequency in at least the range from about 500 to about 4.8 kHz. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the neurostimulator is capable of providing a selectable stimulus frequency in at least the range from about 100 Hz to about 1 kHz. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the neurostimulator is capable of providing a selectable stimulus frequency in at least the range from about 100 Hz to about 500 Hz.