Neural blocking therapy

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a variety of conditions include treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain. In such condition, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near said region, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field. For treating a tissue sensation, the method includes identifying a target area of tissue to be treated and placing an electrode to create a field near the target area, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the target area. For treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with the spinal cord, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the nerve.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for treating a condition, comprising:
 advancing a lead along a patient's spinal cord in a superior direction;   placing an electrode carried by the lead on the patient's dorsal root; and   creating an electric field by applying an electrical signal to the electrode with signal parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity at the dorsal root, the parameters including a frequency of about 3,000 Hz or more.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein advancing the lead includes advancing the lead within a catheter, and then advancing the lead from the catheter. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein creating the electric field includes creating the electric field with a frequency of about 5,000 Hz or more. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein placing an electrode includes placing a first electrode, and wherein the method further comprises placing a second electrode at a location spaced apart from the first electrode along the patient's spinal cord, and wherein creating the electric field includes creating the electric field with the first and second electrodes. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein placing an electrode includes placing a first electrode, and wherein the method further comprises placing a second electrode at a location spaced apart laterally from the first electrode, and wherein creating the electric field includes creating the electric field with the first and second electrodes. 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating a condition, comprising:
 advancing a lead along a patient's spinal cord in a superior direction;   placing multiple electrodes of the lead along the spinal cord with at least one of the electrodes being offset from the patient's anterior-posterior axis; and   creating an electric field by applying an electrical signal to one or more of the electrodes to at least partially block transmission of neural signals to the brain, wherein the signal is applied at a frequency of about 5,000 Hz or more.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein advancing the lead includes advancing the lead within a catheter, and then advancing the lead from the catheter. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein placing multiple electrodes includes placing the at least one electrode at a dorsal root. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein applying the electrical signal includes applying the electrical signal to bipolar electrodes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein placing multiple electrodes includes placing at least one electrode at the dorsal column. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein placing multiple electrodes includes placing at least one electrode along an ascending neural pathway of the spinal cord. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16  wherein placing multiple electrodes includes placing multiple electrodes in the subarachnoid space.