Patent ID: 8612018
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for applying electrical pulses to a patient, the apparatus being implantable in the patient, the apparatus comprising a plurality of electrodes arranged in an array, the electrodes forming a plurality of electrode pairs wherein each pair comprises an anode and a cathode which are made up of one or more electrodes from the array electrically connected in parallel, and a signal generator for generating signals to said electrodes so as to form said electrical pulses, the signal generator being arranged to generate said signals such that the signals are either sequentially transmitted to successive electrode pairs in a cycle so the respective electrode pairs receive the corresponding signals at different times, or alternatively so that the signals are received by the electrode pairs such that they do not all start and end at the same point in time, wherein said electrical pulses form by addition a composite pulse which has a duration between 4 μs and 1500 μs and a maximum voltage between 2 v and 50 v, wherein the composite pulse comprises a plurality of said electrical pulses having a first polarity, and a subsequent plurality of said electrical pulses having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity.