Neural electrode treatment

1. An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder, said apparatus comprising:

a first electrode and a second electrode, each adapted to be secured to a vagus nerve of a patient; and

a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first and second electrodes;

said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode, wherein each of said first and second waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials; wherein the parameters comprise an “on” period and an “off” period, wherein said “on” period comprises a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses and a delay period between at least selected ones of said cycles of pulses, wherein each cycle of pulses includes at least a negative pulse and a positive pulse, and wherein said delay period is less than a time period identified as sufficient for a recovery of the vagus nerve from a neural block induced by said cycle; and wherein said first and second waveforms are out of phase with each other such that during each “on” period a cycle of one of said waveforms occurs during the delay period of the other of said waveforms.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said delay period is at least equal to a time interval of one complete cycle.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at least a first anodic electrode and a second anodic electrode connected to said first electrode and said second electrode respectively.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said waveforms have an amplitude between 0.5 mA and 8 mA.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said waveforms have a cycle frequency in excess of 250 Hz.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said waveforms have a cycle frequency in excess of 3000 Hz.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrodes include a contact surface area enhanced by a surface treatment selected to increase said surface area by creating a plurality of protuberances with opposing surfaces of protuberances sized to present an atraumatic surface to opposing tissue.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a signal amplifier connected across at least one of said electrodes and selected to identify a depolarization of a nerve.

9. A method for the treatment of a disorder susceptible to down-regulation of neural activity, said method comprising:

providing an apparatus of claim 1 ;

identifying a first vagal nerve and a second vagal nerve for down-regulation to advance said treatment;

placing a first electrode on said first vagal nerve and a second electrode on said vagal second nerve, wherein the apparatus of claim 1 comprises the first and second electrodes;

down regulating neural activity by electrically connecting a signal generator of the apparatus of claim 1 to each of said first and second electrodes; said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode, wherein each of said first and second waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials; wherein the parameters comprise an “on” period and an “off” period, wherein said “on” period comprises a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses and a delay period between at least selected ones of said cycles of pulses, wherein each cycle of pulses includes at least a negative pulse and a positive pulse, and said delay period is less than a time period identified as sufficient for a recovery of each vagal nerve from said neural block; and wherein said first and second waveforms are out of phase with each other such that during each “on” period a cycle of one of said waveforms occurs during a delay period of the other of said waveforms; and

activating said signal generator to apply said waveforms to said first and second nerves.

10. A method for the treatment of a disorder susceptible to down-regulation of neural activity, said method comprising:

identifying a first vagal nerve and a second vagal nerve for down-regulation to advance said treatment;

placing a first electrode on said first vagal nerve and a second electrode on said vagal second nerve;

electrically connecting a signal generator to each of said first and second electrodes; said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode, wherein each of said first and second waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials; wherein the parameters comprise an “on” period and an “off” period, wherein said “on” period comprises a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses and a delay period between at least selected ones of said cycles of pulses, wherein each cycle of pulses includes at least a negative pulse and a positive pulse and wherein said delay period is less than a time period identified as sufficient for a recovery of the vagus nerve from a neural block induced by said cycle; and wherein said first and second waveforms are out of phase with each other such that during each “on” period a cycle of one of said waveforms occurs during a delay period of the other of said waveforms; and

activating said signal generator to apply said waveforms to said first and second nerves.

11. An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder, said apparatus comprising:

a first electrode and a second electrode, each adapted to be secured to a vagus nerve of a patient; and

a signal generator electrically connected to each of said first and second electrodes;

said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode;

wherein each of said first and second waveforms comprises an “on” period and an “off” period, wherein said “on” period comprises a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses and a delay period between at least selected ones of said cycles of pulses, wherein said cycle is selected to induce a neural block, and wherein each cycle of pulses includes at least a negative pulse and a positive pulse, and said delay period is less than a time period identified as sufficient for a recovery of the vagus nerve from said neural block; and

said first and second waveforms are synchronized for a delay period of one of said waveforms to occur during a pulse of the other of said waveforms.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said delay period is at least equal to a time interval of one complete cycle.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising at least a first anodic electrode and a second anodic electrode connected to said first electrode and said second electrode respectively.

14. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said waveforms have an amplitude between 0.5 mA and 8 mA.

15. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said waveforms have a cycle frequency in excess of 250 Hz.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said waveforms have a cycle frequency in excess of 3000 Hz.

17. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said electrodes include a contact surface area enhance by a surface treatment selected to increase said surface area by creating a plurality of protuberances with opposing surfaces of protuberances sized to present an atraumatic surface to opposing tissue.

18. An apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a charge amplifier connected across at least one of said electrodes and selected to identify a depolarization of a nerve.

19. A method for the treatment of a disorder susceptible to down-regulation of neural activity, said method comprising:

providing an apparatus of claim 11 ;

identifying a first vagal nerve and a second vagal nerve for down-regulation to advance said treatment;

placing a first electrode on said first vagal nerve and a second electrode on said vagal second nerve, wherein the apparatus of claim 11 comprises the first and second electrodes;

down regulating neural activity by electrically connecting a signal generator of the apparatus of claim 11 to each of said first and second electrodes; said signal generator adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at said first electrode and a second waveform at said second electrode, said first and second waveforms comprising an “on” period and an “off” period, wherein said “on” period comprises a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses and a delay period between at least selected ones of said cycles of pulses, wherein each cycle of pulses includes at least a negative pulse and a positive pulse, and said first and second waveforms are synchronized such that a delay period of one of said waveforms occurs during a pulse of the other of said waveforms, and wherein said delay period is less than a time period identified as sufficient for a recovery of each vagal nerve from said neural block; and

activating said signal generator to apply said waveforms to said first and second vagal nerves.