Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.

1 - 137 . (canceled) 
     
     
         138 . A method for treating a patient, comprising:
 programming a signal generator to deliver an electrical signal to the patient's dorsal horn and/or dorsal column via at least one implantable signal delivery device; and   wherein the electrical signal has sequential bi-phasic pulses with a pulse width in a pulse width range from 10 microseconds to 333 microseconds and does not create paresthesia in the patient.   
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 138  wherein the pulses form a bi-phasic square wave. 
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 138  wherein the pulse width range is from 25 microseconds to 166 microseconds. 
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 138  wherein the pulse width range is from 33 microseconds to 100 microseconds. 
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 138  wherein the pulse width range is from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds. 
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 138  wherein at least a portion of the electrical signal has a current amplitude in a range from 0.5 mA to 10 mA. 
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 138  wherein at least a portion of the electrical signal has a current amplitude in a range from 0.5 mA to 4 mA. 
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 138  wherein the signal generator is implantable in the patient. 
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 138  wherein the signal generator is external to the patient. 
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 138  wherein programming includes programming the signal generator to deliver the electrical signal to the patient's dorsal horn. 
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 138  wherein programming includes programming the signal generator to deliver the electrical signal to the patient's dorsal column. 
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 138  wherein programming includes programming the signal generator to deliver the electrical signal to the patient's epidural space. 
     
     
         150 . The method of  claim 138  wherein programming includes programming the signal generator to deliver the electrical signal to reduce patient pain. 
     
     
         151 . A method for treating a patient, comprising:
 programming a signal generator to deliver an electrical signal to the patient's dorsal horn and/or dorsal column via at least one implantable signal delivery device; and   wherein the electrical signal has sequential bi-phasic pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 10 microseconds to 333 microseconds and an amplitude that does not create paresthesia in the patient.   
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 151  wherein the pulses form a bi-phasic square wave. 
     
     
         153 . The method of  claim 151  wherein the pulse width range is from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds. 
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 151  wherein at least a portion of the electrical signal has a current amplitude in a range from 0.5 mA to 10 mA. 
     
     
         155 . The method of  claim 151  wherein at least a portion of the electrical signal has a current amplitude in a range from 0.5 mA to 4 mA. 
     
     
         156 . The method of  claim 151  wherein the signal generator is implantable in the patient. 
     
     
         157 . The method of  claim 151  wherein the signal generator is external to the patient. 
     
     
         158 . The method of  claim 151  wherein programming includes programming the signal generator to deliver the electrical signal to the patient's dorsal horn. 
     
     
         159 . The method of  claim 151  wherein programming includes programming the signal generator to deliver the electrical signal to the patient's dorsal column. 
     
     
         160 . The method of  claim 151  wherein programming includes programming the signal generator to deliver the electrical signal to reduce or eliminate patient pain. 
     
     
         161 . A method for treating a patient, comprising:
 delivering an electrical signal to the patient's dorsal horn and/or dorsal column via at least one implantable signal delivery device; and   wherein the electrical signal has sequential bi-phasic pulses with a pulse width in a pulse width range from 10 microseconds to 333 microseconds and does not create paresthesia in the patient.   
     
     
         162 . The method of  claim 161  wherein delivering the electrical signal includes delivering the electrical signal to a vertebral location within a range from T9-T12. 
     
     
         163 . The method of  claim 161  wherein delivering the electrical signal includes delivering the electrical signal to a vertebral location within a range from T9-T10.