High frequency electromagnetic stimulation for modulating cells, including spontaneously active and quiescent cells, and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Electromagnetic stimulation for treating diseases, conditions associated with diseases and/or inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency stimulation in the range of from about 1.5 kHz to about 100 kHz may be applied to a patient's target tissue region to treat the disease, associated condition and/or to inhibit pain. Electrical stimulation in accordance with similar parameters can directly affect a cellular membrane, such as a neuron and in particular, a spontaneously active neuron and/or a quiescent neuron.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for treating a patient, comprising:
 screening the patient for responsiveness to a high frequency electrical therapy by delivering a test signal to the patient, the test signal having a frequency in a range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz; and
 measuring an evoked potential from a C-fiber; and 
   if the evoked potential is below a threshold level, applying a therapeutic signal to the patient, the therapeutic signal having a frequency in a range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein an individual neuron of the patient includes a cell body, an axon, and a dendrite, and wherein applying the therapeutic signal to the patient includes preferentially applying the therapeutic signal to the cell body. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein applying the therapeutic signal to the patient includes applying the therapeutic signal to a region of the patient that includes C-type fibers and A-type fibers, and wherein the method further comprises preferentially directing the therapeutic signal to the C-type fibers. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein applying the therapeutic signal includes inhibiting neuronal activity of quiescent neurons. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein applying the therapeutic signal includes inhibiting neuronal activity of spontaneously active neurons. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17  wherein screening the patient further comprises applying a stimulus to the patient while simultaneously delivering the test signal, and wherein the evoked potential is in response to the stimulus. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the threshold level is equivalent to an evoked potential in the absence of the test signal. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17  wherein applying the therapeutic signal to the patient includes delivering the therapeutic signal to the patient's spinal cord region. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17  wherein applying the therapeutic signal to the patient includes delivering the therapeutic signal to a peripheral nerve. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17  wherein applying the therapeutic signal to the patient at least partially alleviates patient pain. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the therapeutic signal has a pulse width in a pulse width range of from about 10 microseconds to about 333 microseconds, and an amplitude in an amplitude range of from about 0.1 mA to about 20 mA. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the frequency range of the therapeutic signal is from about 3 kHz to about 20 kHz. 
     
     
         29 . A method for treating a patient, comprising:
 screening the patient for responsiveness to a high frequency electrical therapy by:
 delivering a test signal to the patient, the test signal having a frequency in a range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz, and 
 measuring an evoked potential from a C-fiber; and 
   if the evoked potential is below a threshold level, programming a signal generator to deliver a therapeutic signal to the patient, the therapeutic signal having a frequency in a range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the threshold level is equivalent to an evoked potential in the absence of the test signal. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein programming the signal generator to deliver the therapeutic signal includes programming the signal generator to deliver the therapeutic signal via an electrode positioned to preferentially direct the therapeutic signal to C-type fibers of the patient. 
     
     
         32 . A method for treating a patient, comprising:
 screening the patient for responsiveness to spinal cord stimulation therapy by:
 delivering a test signal to the patient, the test signal having a frequency in a range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz, 
 while delivering the test signal, applying a stimulus to the patient, and 
 measuring a response to the stimulus from a C-fiber of the patient; and 
   if the response to the stimulus is below a threshold level, programming a signal generator to deliver an electrical therapy signal to a spinal cord region of the patient via an implanted electrode, the electrical therapy signal having a frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein screening the patient is done in response to the patient having pain, and wherein the electrical therapy signal at last partially alleviates the patient pain. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the threshold level is equivalent to a response to the stimulus in the absence of the test signal. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the implanted electrode is positioned to preferentially direct the electrical therapy signal to C-type fibers at the spinal cord region. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the therapeutic signal has a pulse width in a pulse width range of from about 10 microseconds to about 333 microseconds, and an amplitude in an amplitude range of from about 0.1 mA to about 20 mA.