Multi-frequency neural treatments and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Multi-frequency neural treatments and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes at least reducing patient pain by applying a first electrical signal to a first target location of the patient's spinal cord region at a frequency in a first frequency range of up to about 1,500 Hz, and applying a second electrical signal to a second target location of the patient's spinal cord region at a frequency in a second frequency range of from about 2,500 Hz to about 100,000 Hz.

1 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A method for alleviating a patient's pain, comprising:
 programming an implanted signal generator to generate and deliver an electrical therapy signal to a target nerve fiber, via at least one electrode electrically coupled to the implanted signal generator, to alleviate the patient's pain,   wherein the electrical therapy signal is at a frequency in a frequency range of from 2,500 Hz to 100,000 Hz, and   wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp a parameter in accordance with which the electrical therapy signal is generated.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the parameter over a time period in a range of from 3 milliseconds to 3 minutes. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the parameter up. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the parameter down. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51  wherein programming includes programming the implanted signal generator to generate and deliver the electrical therapy signal at an amplitude between 2 mA and 20 mA. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the amplitude of the electrical therapy signal. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the amplitude is increased over a period of less than about ten seconds. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the frequency range is from 3,000 Hz to 10,000 Hz. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the frequency of the electrical therapy signal. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp a pulse width of the therapy signal. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the frequency and the amplitude of the electrical therapy signal. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the target nerve fiber is located within a target location in the patient. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the target location is in the patient's spinal cord. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the electrode is implanted in the patient's epidural space proximate to the target location. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the target location is along the patient's dorsal column and superior to the patient's sacral region. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the patient's pain is alleviated without relying on paresthesia or tingling to mask the patient's sensation of the pain. 
     
     
         67 . A method for alleviating a patient's pain, without relying on paresthesia or tingling to mask the patient's sensation of the pain, comprising:
 programming an implanted signal generator to generate and deliver an electrical therapy signal to a target nerve fiber via at least one electrode electrically coupled to the implanted signal generator,   wherein the electrical therapy signal is at a frequency in a frequency range of from 2,500 Hz to 100,000 Hz, and   wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp a parameter in accordance with which the therapy signal is generated.   
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the parameter over a time period in a range of from 3 milliseconds to 3 minutes. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 67  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the parameter up. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 67  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the parameter down. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp an amplitude of the electrical therapy signal. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71  wherein the electrical therapy signal is at a current amplitude between 2 mA and 20 mA 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71  wherein the amplitude is increased over a period of less than about ten seconds. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 67  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the frequency of the electrical therapy signal. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 67  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp a pulse width of the electrical therapy signal. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the frequency and the amplitude of the electrical therapy signal. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 67  wherein the target nerve fiber is located within a target location in the patient. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77  wherein the target location is in the patient's spinal cord. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the electrode implanted in the patient's epidural space proximate to the target location. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79  wherein the target location is along the patient's dorsal column and superior to the sacral region. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 67  wherein the patient's pain is alleviated without relying on paresthesia or tingling to mask the patient's sensation of the pain. 
     
     
         82 . A system for alleviating a patient's pain, comprising:
 an implantable signal delivery device carrying at least one electrode, the at least one electrode being positionable at or near a target location within the patient; and   a signal generator coupleable to the at least one electrode and programmed to:
 generate an electrical therapy signal having a frequency in a frequency range of 2,500 Hz to 100,000 Hz, 
 ramp a parameter in accordance with which the electrical therapy signal is generated, and 
 deliver the electrical therapy signal having the ramped parameter to the target location via the at least one electrode to alleviate the patient's pain. 
   
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 82  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the parameter over a time period in a range of from 3 milliseconds to 3 minutes. 
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 82  wherein the signal generator is programmed to deliver the electrical therapy signal at a duty cycle of less than 50%. 
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 82  wherein the parameter is the frequency, an amplitude, a pulse with, or a duty cycle of the electrical therapy signal. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 85  wherein the signal generator is programmed to ramp the parameter up or down. 
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 82  wherein the signal delivery element includes one or more perctaneous leads. 
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 82  wherein the signal generator is implantable. 
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 82  wherein the signal generator includes a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 89  wherein the electrical therapy signal remains on for a period of at least a few milliseconds at a time.