Electrode configuration for implantable modulator

Abstract

A device according to some embodiments may include an implantable flexible carrier and a pair of electrodes located on the carrier. The electrodes may be spaced from each other by a distance greater than 3 mm, and may be configured to cause, when supplied with an electrical signal, a unidirectional electric field sufficient to modulate at least one nerve.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A head pain management device, comprising:
 an implantable carrier configured for location beneath skin of a head of a subject; and   a pair of electrodes located on the carrier and spaced from each other by a distance greater than 3 mm, wherein the pair of electrodes are configured to generate an electric field to modulate an occipital nerve.   
     
     
         18 . The head pain management device of  claim 17 , wherein the electric field includes a modulation signal sufficient to reduce pain signals carried by the occipital nerve. 
     
     
         19 . The head pain management device of  claim 17 , wherein the electric field is a unidirectional field that extends through tissue interposed between the pair of electrodes and the occipital nerve. 
     
     
         20 . The head pain management device of  claim 19 , wherein the pair of electrodes and the occipital nerve are spaced apart by a distance of at least 5 mm. 
     
     
         21 . The head pain management device of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible carrier comprises attachment points configured for securing the carrier to a surface of a tissue beneath the skin of the head. 
     
     
         22 . The head pain management device of  claim 17 , wherein the electrodes are configured to generate, when supplied with an electrical signal via an implantable circuit, the electric field that is unidirectional. 
     
     
         23 . The head pain management device of  claim 17 , wherein the electrodes are configured to modulate the occipital nerve when non-nerve tissue is interposed between the electrodes and the occipital nerve. 
     
     
         24 . The head pain management device of  claim 17 , wherein the electrodes are spaced from each other by the distance greater than 3 mm such that the electrical field is sufficient to modulate the occipital nerve located greater than 1 mm away from the electrodes. 
     
     
         25 . The head pain management device of  claim 17 , wherein the carrier includes attachment points configured for securing the carrier to a surface of a non-nerve tissue. 
     
     
         26 . The head pain management device of  claim 17 ,
 wherein the carrier further comprises an insulative coating, and   wherein the electrodes are exposed on one side of the carrier.   
     
     
         27 . The head pain management device of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one pair of additional electrodes. 
     
     
         28 . The head pain management device of  claim 17 , further comprising an antenna electrically coupled with an implantable circuit, wherein the antenna is adapted to receive a transmitted alternating current signal, wherein the implantable circuit includes a converter configured to convert the alternating current signal into a direct current signal for delivery to the pair of electrodes. 
     
     
         29 . The head pain management device of  claim 28 , wherein the implantable circuit is located on the carrier and wherein the antenna is located on the carrier.