Patent ID: 7050856
Filing Date: 2006-05-23
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A neural-stimulation method comprising: measuring a strength-duration curve for neural excitation for at least one of a patient's neurons, the measuring of the strength-duration curve including measuring a plurality of stimulation-amplitude values at a corresponding plurality of stimulation-pulse durations and observing whether a desired clinical outcome is achieved, the desired clinical outcome including the reduction of tremor via thalamic stimulation; providing neural stimulation having a plurality of stimulation parameters including a stimulation amplitude, a stimulation frequency, a stimulation pulse duration, an electrode-firing pattern, and a set of one or more electrode-polarity-firing conditions; pseudo-randomly varying at least a first of the stimulation parameters; and changing a value of a second of the stimulation parameters based upon having pseudo-randomly varied the first stimulation parameter and based upon a predetermined relationship that specifies how changes in the first parameter affect desirable values for the second parameter, the predetermined relationship substantially similar to the strength-duration curve for neural excitation.