Selective high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects, and associated systems and methods
Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects 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 cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
1. A method for treating a patient, comprising:
a step for communicating with a signal generator, including establishing a wireless link with the signal generator; and
a step for configuring the signal generator, including programming the signal generator to generate and deliver a paresthesia-free therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord via at least one implantable signal delivery device, wherein the therapy signal has (a) a frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz, (b) a plurality of bi-phasic pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 10 microseconds to 333 microseconds, and (c) is at an amplitude that is therapeutic but does not generate paresthesia in the patient.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step for configuring the signal generator is a first step for configuring the signal generator, and wherein the method further comprises a second step for configuring the signal generator, including programming the signal generator to deliver the therapy signal at a duty cycle of less than 100%.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step for configuring the signal generator does not include the use of paresthesia-mapping to identify a target location for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the frequency range is from 3 kHz to 20 kHz.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the pulse width range is from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds.
6. A method for treating a patient, comprising:
a step for communicating with a signal generator, including establishing a wireless link with the signal generator;
a first step for configuring the signal generator, including programming the signal generator to generate and deliver a paresthesia-free therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord via at least one implantable signal delivery device, wherein the therapy signal has (a) a frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz, (b) a plurality of bi-phasic pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 10 microseconds to 333 microseconds, and (c) an amplitude that is therapeutic but does not generate paresthesia in the patient; and
a second step for configuring the signal generator, including programming the signal generator to deliver the therapy signal to a vertebral level between T9 and T12, inclusive, via the at least one implantable signal delivery device.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the frequency range is from 3 kHz to 20 kHz.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the pulse width range is from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds.
9. A method for treating a patient, comprising:
a step for communicating with a signal generator, including establishing a wireless link with the signal generator;
a first step for configuring the signal generator, including programming the signal generator to generate and deliver a paresthesia-free therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord via at least one implantable signal delivery device, wherein the therapy signal has (a) a frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz, (b) a plurality of bi-phasic pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 10 microseconds to 333 microseconds, and (c) an amplitude that is therapeutic but does not generate paresthesia in the patient; and
a second step for configuring the signal generator, including programming the signal generator to deliver the therapy signal to a vertebral level between T9 and T10, inclusive, via the at least one implantable signal delivery device.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the frequency range is from 3 kHz to 20 kHz.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the pulse width range is from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds.
12. A spinal cord modulation system for reducing or eliminating pain in a patient, the system comprising:
means for generating a paresthesia-free therapy signal with a signal frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz; and
means for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord, wherein the means for delivering the therapy signal is at least partially implantable.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the means for generating includes an implantable pulse generator.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein the means for generating includes an external pulse generator.
15. The system of claim 12 wherein the means for delivering includes a percutaneous lead.
16. The system of claim 12 wherein the signal frequency is between 3 kHz and 20 kHz.
17. The system of claim 12 wherein the therapy signal includes pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 10 microseconds to 333 microseconds.
18. A spinal cord modulation system for reducing or eliminating pain in a patient, the system comprising:
means for generating a paresthesia-free therapy signal with a signal frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz; and
means for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord at a vertebral level of from T9 to T12, wherein the means for delivering the therapy signal is at least partially implantable.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein the frequency range is from 3 kHz to 20 kHz.
20. The system of claim 18 wherein a pulse width of the therapy signal is in a pulse width range of from 10 microseconds to 333 microseconds.
21. The system of claim 18 wherein a pulse width of the therapy signal is in a pulse width range of from 25 microseconds to 166 microseconds.
22. The system of claim 18 wherein a pulse width of the therapy signal is in a pulse width range of from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds.
23. The system of claim 18 wherein an amplitude of the therapy signal is in an amplitude range of from 0.5 milliamps to 10 milliamps.
24. A spinal cord modulation system for reducing or eliminating pain in a patient, the system comprising:
means for generating a paresthesia-free therapy signal with a signal frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz and pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 25 microseconds to 166 microseconds; and
means for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord, wherein the means for delivering the therapy signal is at least partially implantable.
25. The system of claim 24 wherein the means for generating includes an implantable pulse generator.
26. The system of claim 24 wherein the means for generating includes an external pulse generator.
27. The system of claim 24 wherein the means for delivering includes an elongated flexible lead.
28. The system of claim 24 wherein the frequency range is from 3 kHz to 20 kHz.
29. The system of claim 24 wherein the therapy signal includes pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds.
30. A spinal cord modulation system for reducing or eliminating pain in a patient, the system comprising:
means for generating a paresthesia-free therapy signal wherein:
the signal has a signal frequency in a frequency range from 3 kHz and 20 kHz;
the therapy signal includes pulses having a pulse width between 25 microseconds and 166 microseconds, inclusive; and
the therapy signal includes a current amplitude between 0.5 milliamps and 10 milliamps, inclusive; and wherein the system further comprises:
means for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord, wherein the means for delivering the therapy signal is at least partially implantable.
31. The system of claim 30 wherein the means for generating includes an implantable pulse generator.
32. The system of claim 30 wherein the means for generating includes an external pulse generator.
33. The system of claim 30 wherein the means for delivering includes an elongated flexible lead.
34. A spinal cord modulation system for reducing or eliminating pain in a patient, the system comprising:
means for generating a paresthesia-free therapy signal with a signal frequency of 10 kHz; and
means for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord, wherein the means for delivering the therapy signal is at least partially implantable.
35. The system of claim 34 wherein the means for generating includes an implantable pulse generator.
36. The system of claim 34 wherein the means for generating includes an external pulse generator.
37. The system of claim 34 wherein the means for delivering includes an elongated flexible lead.
38. The system of claim 34 wherein the therapy signal includes pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds.
39. A spinal cord modulation system for reducing or eliminating pain in a patient, the system comprising:
means for generating a paresthesia-free therapy signal wherein the therapy signal has a signal frequency of 10 kHz, includes pulses having a pulse width between 30 microseconds and 35 microseconds, inclusive, and includes a current amplitude between 0.5 milliamps and 10 milliamps, inclusive; and
means for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord, wherein the means for delivering the therapy signal is at least partially implantable.
40. The system of claim 39 wherein the means for generating includes an implantable pulse generator.
41. The system of claim 39 wherein the means for generating includes an external pulse generator.
42. The system of claim 39 wherein the means for delivering includes an elongated flexible lead.
43. A spinal cord modulation system for reducing or eliminating pain in a patient, the system comprising:
means for generating a non-paresthesia-producing therapy signal, wherein at least a portion of the therapy signal is at a frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz; and
means for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord region, wherein the means for delivering the therapy signal is configured to be implanted in the patient's epidural space.
44. The system of claim 43 wherein the means for generating includes an implantable pulse generator.
45. The system of claim 43 wherein the means for generating includes an external pulse generator.
46. The system of claim 43 wherein the means for delivering includes an elongated flexible lead.
47. The system of claim 43 wherein the frequency range is from 3 kHz to 20 kHz.
48. The system of claim 43 wherein the therapy signal includes pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 10 microseconds to 333 microseconds.
49. A spinal cord modulation system for reducing or eliminating pain in a patient, the system comprising:
means for generating a non-paresthesia-producing therapy signal, wherein at least a portion of the therapy signal is at a frequency in a frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 100 kHz and wherein the therapy signal includes pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 25 microseconds to 166 microseconds; and
means for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord region, wherein the means for delivering the therapy signal is configured to be implanted in the patient's epidural space.
50. The system of claim 49 wherein the means for generating includes an implantable pulse generator.
51. The system of claim 49 wherein the means for generating includes an external pulse generator.
52. The system of claim 49 wherein the means for delivering includes an elongated flexible lead.
53. The system of claim 49 wherein the frequency range is from 3 kHz to 20 kHz.
54. The system of claim 49 wherein the therapy signal includes pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds.
55. A spinal cord modulation system for reducing or eliminating pain in a patient, the system comprising:
means for generating a non-paresthesia-producing therapy signal, wherein:
at least a portion of the therapy signal is at a frequency in a frequency range from 3 kHz to 20 kHz;
the therapy signal includes pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 25 microseconds to 166 microseconds; and
the therapy signal includes a current amplitude in a current amplitude range from 0.5 milliamps to 10 milliamps; and wherein the system further comprises:
means for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord region, wherein the means for delivering the therapy signal is configured to be implanted in the patient's epidural space.
56. The system of claim 55 wherein the means for generating includes an implantable pulse generator.
57. The system of claim 55 wherein the means for generating includes an external pulse generator.
58. The system of claim 55 wherein the means for delivering includes an elongated flexible lead.
59. The system of claim 55 wherein the therapy signal includes pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds.
60. A spinal cord modulation system for reducing or eliminating pain in a patient, the system comprising:
means for generating a non-paresthesia-producing therapy signal, wherein at least a portion of the therapy signal is at a frequency of 10 kHz; and
means for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord region, wherein the means for delivering the therapy signal is configured to be implanted in the patient's epidural space.
61. The system of claim 60 wherein the means for generating includes an implantable pulse generator.
62. The system of claim 60 wherein the means for generating includes an external pulse generator.
63. The system of claim 60 wherein the means for delivering includes an elongated flexible lead.
64. The system of claim 60 wherein the therapy signal includes pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds.
65. A spinal cord modulation system for reducing or eliminating pain in a patient, the system comprising:
means for generating a non-paresthesia-producing therapy signal, wherein at least a portion of the therapy signal is at a frequency of 10 kHz, includes pulses having a pulse width in a pulse width range from 30 microseconds to 35 microseconds, and includes a current amplitude in a current amplitude range from 0.5 milliamps to 10 milliamps; and
means for delivering the therapy signal to the patient's spinal cord region wherein the means for delivering the therapy signal is configured to be implanted in the patient's epidural space.
66. The system of claim 65 wherein the means for generating includes an implantable pulse generator.
67. The system of claim 65 wherein the means for generating includes an external pulse generator.
68. The system of claim 65 wherein the means for delivering includes an elongated flexible lead.