Enhancement of neural signal transmission through damaged neural tissue via hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current

1. A method comprising:

providing a stimulator;

programming said stimulator with one or more stimulation parameters configured to enhance transmission of a neural signal through damaged neural tissue; and

applying a hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current with said stimulator to said damaged neural tissue in accordance with said one or more stimulation parameters;

wherein said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current is configured to enhance said transmission of said neural signal through said damaged neural tissue, wherein said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current comprises a stimulation pulse having a pulse width of less than 200 microseconds followed by a period of no stimulation.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current is configured to open one or more h-gates of one or more voltage-gated sodium channels within said damaged neural tissue.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current is configured to reduce an amplitude of a subsequent depolarizing signal required to trigger an action potential within said damaged neural tissue.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current comprises a series of bursts of stimulation each followed by a period of no stimulation.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said damaged neural tissue is a result of at least one or more of a nerve compression syndrome, a nerve ischemia, a radiation-induced injury, an inflammation, a degeneration, and a disease.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sensing at least one indicator of a symptom or cause of said damaged nerve tissue and using said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising implanting said stimulator within a patient.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said stimulator comprises at least one electrode disposed on an outer surface thereof, and wherein said method further comprises applying said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current via said at least one electrode.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said stimulator is coupled to a lead having at least one electrode disposed thereon, and wherein said method further comprises applying said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current via said at least one electrode.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current comprises periodically applying the stimulation pulse at a frequency of less than or equal to 10 kHz.

11. A method of enhancing transmission of a neural signal through damaged neural tissue, said method comprising:

implanting a stimulator within a patient;

programming said stimulator with one or more stimulation parameters configured to enhance transmission of said neural signal through said damaged neural tissue; and

modulating an operation of one or more voltage-gated sodium channels within said damaged neural tissue by applying a hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current with said stimulator to said damaged neural tissue in accordance with said one or more stimulation parameters, wherein said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current comprises a stimulation pulse having a pulse width of less than 200 microseconds followed by a period of no stimulation.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising opening one or more h-gates of said voltage-gated sodium channels with said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current is configured to reduce an amplitude of a subsequent depolarizing signal required to trigger an action potential within said damaged neural tissue.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current comprises a series of bursts of stimulation each followed by a period of no stimulation.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising sensing at least one indicator of a symptom or cause of said damaged nerve tissue and using said at least one sensed indicator to adjust one or more of said stimulation parameters.

16. A system for enhancing transmission of a neural signal through damaged neural tissue, said system comprising:

a stimulator configured to be implanted at least partially within a patient and to generate a hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters adjusted to enhance transmission of said neural signal through said damaged neural tissue;

a programmable memory unit in communication with said stimulator and programmed to store said one or more stimulation parameters to at least partially define said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current such that said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current is configured to enhance said transmission of said neural signal transmission through said damaged neural tissue; and

means, operably connected to said stimulator, for applying said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current to said damaged neural tissue, wherein said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current comprises a stimulation pulse having a pulse width of less than 200 microseconds followed by a period of no stimulation.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current is configured to reduce an amplitude of a subsequent depolarizing signal required to trigger an action potential within said damaged neural tissue.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein said hyperpolarizing electrical stimulation current comprises a series of bursts of stimulation each followed by a period of no stimulation.