Neural stimulation system to deliver different waveforms

Abstract

A method, electrical tissue stimulation system, and programmer for providing therapy to a patient are provided. Electrodes are placed adjacent tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) of the patient, electrical stimulation energy is delivered from the electrodes to the tissue in accordance with a defined waveform, and a pulse shape of the defined waveform is modified, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical stimulation energy delivered from the electrode(s) to the tissue. The pulse shape may be modified by selecting one of a plurality of different pulse shape types or by adjusting a time constant of the pulse shape.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method, comprising:
 outputting electrical stimulation energy to one or more electrical terminals in accordance with a defined waveform having a defined waveform characteristic, other than a pulse amplitude, a pulse width and a pulse rate;   measuring one or more electrical characteristics of tissue; and   modifying the defined waveform characteristic based on the measured one or more electrical characteristics.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the modifying the defined waveform characteristic includes modifying the defined waveform characteristic in response to a change in the measured one or more electrical characteristics. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more electrical characteristics of tissue includes impedance. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further including maintaining a substantially uniform charge of the electrical stimulation energy when modifying the defined waveform characteristic. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the defined waveform includes a pulse, and the outputting electrical energy includes outputting a plurality of the pulse in a pulse train. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the defined waveform characteristic is modified independent of the pulse amplitude and the pulse width. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the defined waveform characteristic is modified dependent on one or more of the pulse amplitude and the pulse width. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the defined waveform includes at least two pulses having different defined waveform characteristics, wherein the different defined waveform characteristics include the defined waveform characteristic modified based on the measured one or more electrical characteristics. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising delivered neurostimulation using the outputted electrical energy. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising using an implantable device to generate the electrical stimulation energy and to deliver the neurostimulation. 
     
     
         12 . A method, comprising:
 presenting at least two defined waveforms on a user interface, wherein the at least two defined waveforms are available for user selection and have different defined waveform characteristics other than different pulse amplitudes, pulse widths or pulse rates;   using the user interface to select a defined waveform from the at least two defined waveforms presented on the user interface; and   outputting electrical stimulation energy to one or more electrical terminals in accordance with the defined waveform.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least two defined waveforms are presented on the user interface using different icons. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least two defined waveforms are presented on the user interface using text. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least two defined waveforms are presented on the user interface using both icons and text. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the user interface includes a touchscreen display, the at least two waveforms are presented on the touchscreen display, and the defined waveform is selected by touching one the defined waveforms presented on the touchscreen display. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the user interface includes at least one button configured for use to select the defined waveform from the at least two defined waveforms presented on the user interface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one button includes a toggle button configured for use to switch between two defined waveforms or among more than two defined waveforms. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising using the user interface to select a second defined waveform from the at least two defined waveforms presented on the user interface, and the electrical stimulation energy is outputted further in accordance with the second defined waveform. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising measuring one or more electrical characteristics of tissue, and modifying the defined waveform characteristic based on the measured one or more electrical characteristics. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more electrical characteristics of tissue includes impedance.