Implantable neuro-stimulation device

Abstract

An implantable electrical stimulation device includes an electrically conductive electrode structure configured for coupling with a pulse generator device and transmitting an electrical signal configured to generate a desirable electric field around a target tissue. The electrode structure includes a porous substrate constructed of a bio-compatible and bio-survivable material having a structure that mimics extracellular matrix embedding. The porous substrate supports an electrically conductive electrode element. The implantable device may further include a pulse generator also embedded, enmeshed, and supported within the porous substrate.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of neural stimulation for therapeutic outcomes comprising:
 generating a first stimulation pattern with a first desired therapeutic outcome;   generating a second stimulation pattern with a second desired therapeutic outcome   combining the first and second stimulation patterns to produce a composite stimulation pattern with an enhanced therapeutic outcome; and   transmitting the composite stimulation pattern to an implanted lead assembly disposed proximate to a target nerve.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising generating at least one additional stimulation pattern to achieve at least one additional enhanced therapeutic outcome and combining said at least one additional stimulation pattern with the first and second stimulation patterns to produce the composite stimulation pattern with an enhanced therapeutic outcome. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising independently adjusting parameters of at least one of the first and second stimulation patterns. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein generating the first stimulation pattern comprises adjusting at least one of frequency and amplitude to achieve the first desired therapeutic outcome. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein generating the second stimulation pattern comprises adjusting at least one of frequency and amplitude to achieve the second desired therapeutic outcome. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising tuning the composite stimulation pattern after the first and second stimulation patterns have been combined. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein generating the composite stimulation pattern comprises performing a weighted addition of the first and second stimulation patterns. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein generating the composite stimulation pattern comprises interleaving the first and second stimulation patterns. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first stimulation pattern is configured to block transmission of sensations in a target nerve. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second stimulation pattern is configured to activate fibers in a target nerve. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein generating the first stimulation pattern comprises generating a charge-balanced direct current (CBDC) stimulation pattern and generating the second stimulation pattern comprises generating a charge-balanced alternating current (CBAC) stimulation pattern, and generating the composite stimulation pattern comprises combining the CBDC and CBAC stimulation patterns. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second stimulation patterns are combined in a pulse generator and the composite stimulation pattern transmitted from the pulse generator to a target tissue. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second stimulation patterns are generated separately in a pulse generator and delivered separately to a target tissue where they combine to form the composite stimulation pattern. 
     
     
         15 . An implantable neural stimulation system comprising a pulse generator configured to be coupled to a lead assembly and to generate two or more stimulation patterns each with a desired therapeutic outcome, wherein the two or more stimulation patterns may be combined to produce a composite stimulation pattern having an enhanced therapeutic outcome. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising the lead assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the lead assembly is configured to deliver the composite stimulation pattern from the pulse generator to a target tissue. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second stimulation patterns are generated separately in the pulse generator and the lead assembly is configured to deliver the first and second stimulation patterns separately to a target tissue to form the composite stimulation pattern. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate the composite stimulation pattern by weighted addition of the two or more stimulation patterns. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate the composite stimulation pattern by interleaving the two or more stimulation patterns. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first stimulation pattern generated by pulse generator is configured to block transmission of sensations in a target nerve. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second stimulation pattern generated by pulse generator is configured to activate fibers block in a target nerve. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the pulse generator is configured to independently modify parameters of each of the first and second stimulation patterns. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate the first stimulation pattern using at least one of constant voltage signal and constant current signal technique. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate a charge-balanced direct current (CBDC) stimulation pattern and a charge-balanced alternating current (CBAC) stimulation pattern, and generate a composite stimulation pattern with an enhanced therapeutic outcome by combining the CBDC and CBAC stimulation patterns. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate the stimulation patterns based on at least one of square, triangle, sinusoidal waveforms, or a composite thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate the stimulation patterns based on one of symmetrical and asymmetrical waveforms.