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, 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 location in the patient's spinal cord along the patient's dorsal column and superior to the sacral region via at least one electrode electrically coupled to the implanted signal generator and implanted in the patient's epidural space   wherein the electrical therapy signal has a frequency from 2,500 Hz to 100,000 Hz.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising transmitting power from an external power source to an implanted internal power source electrically coupled to the signal generator. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51  wherein programming the signal generator includes programming the signal generator to deliver the electrical therapy signal to at least one electrode located at vertebral level T 10  or T 11 . 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the electrical therapy signal is delivered to address low back pain. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the electrical therapy signal is delivered to address leg pain. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising:
 programming the implanted signal generator to also generate and deliver a paresthesia-inducing stimulation signal to the patient's spinal cord in combination with the electrical therapy signal,   wherein the stimulation signal has a frequency in a frequency range from 40 Hz to 500 Hz.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the frequency range is from 2,500 Hz to 20,000 Hz. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the frequency range is from 3,000 Hz to 10,000 Hz. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 51  wherein programming includes programming the therapy system to generate and deliver the therapy signal at a current amplitude between 2 mA and 20mA. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 51  wherein programming includes programming the therapy system to generate and deliver the therapy signal at a duty cycle of less than 50%. 
     
     
         61 . A method for alleviating patient pain or discomfort, without relying on paresthesia or tingling to mask the patient's sensation of the pain or discomfort, comprising:
 programming a signal generator to generate and deliver an electrical therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord region via at least one electrode carried by an implanted portion of a therapy system,   wherein the signal delivery device is positioned in the patient's epidural space proximate to the patient's spinal cord region and outside the patient's sacral region, and   wherein the electrical therapy signal has a frequency from 2,500 Hz to 100,000 Hz.   
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61  wherein programming the signal generator includes programming the signal generator to deliver the electrical therapy signal to at least one electrode located at vertebral level T 10  or T 11 . 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the electrical therapy signal is delivered to address low back pain. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the electrical therapy signal is delivered to address leg pain. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 61 , further comprising:
 programming the implanted signal generator to also generate and deliver a paresthesia-inducing stimulation signal to the patient's spinal cord in combination with the electrical therapy signal,   wherein the stimulation signal has a frequency in a frequency range from 40 Hz to 500 Hz.   
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the frequency range is from 2,500 Hz to 20,000 Hz. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the frequency range is from 3,000 Hz to 10,000 Hz. 
     
     
         68 . 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 thoracic target location in the patient's spinal cord along the patient's dorsal column, via at least one electrode electrically coupled to the implanted signal generator and implanted in the patient's epidural space   wherein the electrical therapy signal has a frequency from 2,500 Hz to 100,000 Hz.   
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the thoracic target location is at vertebral level T 10  or T 11 . 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising:
 programming the implanted signal generator to also generate and deliver a paresthesia-inducing stimulation signal to the patient's spinal cord in combination with the electrical therapy signal,   wherein the stimulation signal has a frequency in a frequency range from 40 Hz to 500 Hz.   
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the frequency range is from 2,500 Hz to 20,000 Hz. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the frequency range is from 3,000 Hz to 10,000 Hz. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 68  wherein programming includes programming the therapy system to generate and deliver the therapy signal at a current amplitude between 2 mA and 20 mA