SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF ENHANCING ELECTRICAL ACTIVATION OF NERVOUS TISSUE

摘要

Methods and systems for improving nerve stimulation are disclosed and are termed enhanced transcutaneous electrical stimulation (eTENS). One embodiment can be used for enhancing the excitation properties of neural tissue. In one embodiment, systems and methods are provided to enable the selective modulation of specific (targeted) neural substrate, while minimizing the activation of adjacent (non-targeted) nervous tissue, or differentially providing different modulation signals to tissue targeted by different implants. In one embodiment, the system consists of an implant that is used to modify the extracellular potential (i.e. activating function) generated by an independent electrical stimulus generator. Certain aspects of this technology can be applied to any part of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Particular embodiments of this technology provide for therapy related to urological disorders.

主权项

1. A transcutaneous nerve tissue stimulation system, comprising:
(a) an electrical generator; (b) at least a first stimulator electrically coupled to said electrical generator, said first stimulator adapted to be positioned on the surface of the skin of a patient to provide electrical stimuli to the patient; and, (c) at least a first implanted member positionally located adjacent to or contiguous with a target nerve tissue for enhancing the activation of said target nerve tissue by a signal provided by the stimulator, said first implanted member having a portion thereof being electrically conductive.