| CPC A61N 1/36021 (2013.01) [A61N 1/0456 (2013.01); A61N 1/0472 (2013.01); A61N 1/36034 (2017.08)] | 21 Claims |
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1. A method for delivering neurostimulation therapy to multiple neural structures by encoding dual-channel functionality in a single stimulation channel, the method comprising:
positioning a first electrode of a neurostimulation device in electrical communication with a first neural structure of a wearer of the neurostimulation device;
positioning a second electrode of the neurostimulation device in electrical communication with a second neural structure of the wearer, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged in electrical communication as a stimulation channel for neurostimulation delivery wherein,
in a first channel of the dual-channel functionality of the stimulation channel, the first electrode delivers therapeutic stimulations while all pulses on the second electrode are subthreshold, and
in a second channel of the dual-channel functionality of the stimulation channel, the second electrode delivers therapeutic stimulations while all pulses on the first electrode are subthreshold; and
delivering, under control of a controller of the neurostimulation device, the neurostimulation therapy, wherein the controller directs a plurality of operations, the operations comprising
delivering a first electrode pulse series via the first channel, the first electrode pulse series being configured to stimulate the first neural structure, the first electrode pulse series comprising
a) delivering a first suprathreshold cathodic pulse to the first electrode to stimulate the first neural structure, thereby producing a corresponding first anodic pulse on the second electrode, and
b) after delivering the first suprathreshold cathodic pulse, delivering a first charge-balancing subthreshold anodic pulse with reversed polarity of the first suprathreshold cathodic pulse to the first electrode, thereby producing a first corresponding cathodic pulse on the second electrode, wherein
an amplitude of the first charge-balancing subthreshold anodic pulse is lower than an amplitude of the first suprathreshold cathodic pulse, and
a pulse-width of the first charge-balancing subthreshold anodic pulse is longer than a pulse-width of the first suprathreshold cathodic pulse, such that an amplitude of the first corresponding cathodic pulse on the second electrode is subthreshold, and
after delivering the first electrode pulse series, delivering a second electrode pulse series via the second channel, the second electrode pulse series being configured to stimulate the second neural structure, the second electrode pulse series comprising
c) delivering a second suprathreshold cathodic pulse to the second electrode to stimulate the second neural structure, thereby producing a corresponding second anodic pulse on the first electrode, and
d) after delivering the second suprathreshold cathodic pulse, delivering a second charge-balancing subthreshold anodic pulse with reversed polarity of the second suprathreshold cathodic pulse to the second electrode, thereby producing a second corresponding cathodic pulse on the first electrode, wherein
an amplitude of the second charge-balancing subthreshold anodic pulse is lower than an amplitude of the second suprathreshold cathodic pulse, and
a pulse-width of the second charge-balancing subthreshold anodic pulse is longer than a pulse-width of the second suprathreshold cathodic pulse, such that an amplitude of the second corresponding cathodic pulse on the first electrode is subthreshold.
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