Patent ID: 7860570

Claim:
A method for arresting propagation of action potentials in a direction along a nerve, the method comprising: providing a microstimulator comprising a plurality of electrodes including at least a first cathode and a first real anode, the microstimulator further comprising a capsule, electrical circuitry coupled to the plurality of electrodes and disposed in the capsule, and a power source disposed in the capsule and coupled to the electrical circuitry and to the plurality of electrodes, wherein at least two of the plurality of electrodes are provided on the capsule; applying a relatively high-amplitude depolarizing cathodic current to one or more nerves via the first cathode, which cathodic current initiates bidirectional action potentials in large diameter nerve fibers and small diameter nerve fibers; limiting propagation of the action potentials beyond the microstimulator to one direction in both the small and large diameter fibers by, before the action potentials pass the first real anode, beginning an application of a relatively high-amplitude hyperpolarizing anodic current to the nerve via the first real anode at a side of the cathode where arrest of action potentials is desired, which high-amplitude anodic current arrests the action potentials in the large diameter nerve fibers and the small diameter nerve fibers initiated by the cathodic current applied via the first cathode, wherein the hyperpolarizing anodic current is at least one of higher in amplitude or of longer duration than the depolarizing cathodic current; and tapering the anodic current.