Implantable neurostimulators having reduced pocket stimulation

Abstract

Neurostimulators and methods of using neurostimulators are provided. The neurostimulator is implanted within a tissue pocket of a patient, and electrical energy is conveyed from the neurostimulator to stimulate a target tissue site remote from the tissue pocket. The neurostimulator has a case with which one or more electrodes are associated. The electrical energy is returned to the electrode(s) in a manner that prevents, or at least reduces, pocket stimulation that may otherwise occur due to the return of electrical energy to the case of the neurostimulator.

1 . A method of providing therapy using a neurostimulator implanted within a tissue pocket of a patient, comprising:
 initially conveying pulsed electrical energy having a pulse width from the neurostimulator, thereby stimulating a target tissue site remote from the tissue pocket;   returning the initially conveyed pulsed electrical energy to the neurostimulator, thereby causing stimulation of the tissue pocket;   detecting the tissue pocket stimulation;   decreasing the pulse width in response to the detection of the tissue pocket stimulation;   subsequently conveying pulsed electrical energy having the decreased pulse width from the neurostimulator, thereby stimulating the target tissue site; and   returning the subsequently conveyed pulsed electrical energy to the neurostimulator, wherein any stimulation of the tissue pocket is decreased.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pulsed electrical energy is initially and subsequently conveyed from the neurostimulator to at least one stimulation lead connected to the neurostimulator to stimulate the target tissue site. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subsequently conveyed electrical energy stimulates the target tissue site, while preventing the stimulation of the tissue pocket. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pulsed electrical energy is initially and subsequently conveyed between a case of the neurostimulator and the target tissue site. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the decreased pulse width is in the range of 10-100 μs. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the decreased pulse width is equal to or less than 50 μs. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initially conveyed pulsed electrical energy has a pulse amplitude, the method further comprising increasing the pulse amplitude, wherein the subsequently conveying pulsed electrical energy has the decreased pulse width and the increased pulse amplitude. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the pulse width is manually decreased, and the pulse amplitude is automatically increased in response to the manual decrease of the pulse width.