System and method for adjusting automatic pulse parameters to selectively activate nerve fibers

Abstract

A method of stimulating nerve tissue, a tissue stimulation system, and an external control device are provided. The method, system, and control device causes an electrical stimulus to be applied to at least one electrode adjacent the nerve tissue of a patient. The applied electrical stimulus comprises a plurality of pulses defined by a pulse width value and an amplitude value. The pulse amplitude value is increased (e.g., manually), and the pulse width value is automatically decreased in response to increasing the pulse amplitude value in a manner that increases the intensity of the applied electrical stimulus. Alternatively, the pulse width value may be decreased (e.g., manually), and the pulse amplitude value automatically increased in response to decreasing the pulse width value in a manner that increases the intensity of the applied electrical stimulus.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A tissue stimulation system, comprising:
 a pulse generating device configured to generate an electrical stimulus having a plurality of pulses defined by a pulse width value and a pulse amplitude value;   at least one electrode configured to deliver the electrical stimulus to adjacent nerve tissue;   a user interface device configured to allow a user to prompt an increase in the pulse amplitude value or prompt a decrease in the pulse width value; and   an external control device configured to automatically decrease the pulse width value in response to an increase in the pulse amplitude value or automatically increase the pulse amplitude value in response to a decrease in the pulse width value.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface is configured to allow the user to increase the pulse amplitude value, and the external control device is configured to decrease the pulse width value in response to the increase in the pulse amplitude value. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface is configured to allow the user to decrease the pulse width value, and the external control device is configured to increase the pulse amplitude value in response to the decrease in the pulse width value. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pulse generating device is an implantable pulse generator. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface device is configured to allow the user to manually increase the pulse amplitude value or manually decrease the pulse width value. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one electrode is configured to deliver the electrical stimulus to peripheral nerve tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the external control device is configured to automatically decrease the pulse width value or to automatically increase the pulse amplitude value such that stimulation of Adelta nerve fibers adjacent the at least one electrode is prevented. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the external control device is configured to automatically decrease the pulse width value or to automatically increase the pulse amplitude value to stimulate smaller diameter nerve fibers and to prevent stimulation of Adelta nerve fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one electrode is implanted within a patient and in contact with the adjacent nerve tissue. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the external control device is configured to adjust the pulse amplitude value and the pulse width value based on a strength-duration curve. 
     
     
         12 . An external control device for a neurostimulation device, comprising:
 a user interface configured to receive an input from a user;   a processor configured to vary a pulse amplitude value and a pulse width value of an electrical stimulus generated by a pulse generating device by increasing the pulse amplitude value while decreasing the pulse width value or decreasing the pulse width value while increasing the pulse amplitude value in response to the user, and generate a stimulation parameter set from the varied amplitude value and pulse width value; and   output circuitry configured to transmit the stimulation parameter set to the pulse generating device.   
     
     
         13 . The external control device of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to increase the pulse amplitude value while decreasing the pulse width value in response to the user input. 
     
     
         14 . The external control device of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to decrease the pulse width value while increasing the pulse amplitude value in response to the user input. 
     
     
         15 . The external control device of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to program the pulse generating device with the stimulation parameter set. 
     
     
         16 . The external control device of  claim 12 , wherein the user interface is configured to receive a manual input from a user. 
     
     
         17 . The external control device of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to automatically decrease the pulse width value or automatically increase the pulse amplitude value to prevent stimulation of Adelta nerve fibers. 
     
     
         18 . The external control device of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to automatically decrease the pulse width value or the pulse amplitude value to stimulate smaller diameter nerve fibers and prevent stimulation of Adelta nerve fibers. 
     
     
         19 . The external control device of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to adjust the pulse amplitude value and the pulse width value based on a strength-duration curve. 
     
     
         20 . The external control device of  claim 12 , wherein the electrical stimulus is applied to at least one electrode is implanted within the patient and in contact with the adjacent nerve tissue. 
     
     
         21 . The external control device of  claim 12 , wherein the pulse generating device is an implantable pulse generator.