System and method for tactile C-fiber simulation

A system to control tactile C fiber stimulation of nervous tissue of a patient, the system comprising:

• a lead having an array of stimulation electrodes, the lead configured to be implanted at a target position proximate to nervous tissue of interest;
• and
• an implantable medical device (IMD) coupled to the lead, the IMD including a processor and memory storing programmable instructions, the processor executing the programmable instructions to:
• sequentially deliver tactile stimulation waveforms to a series of electrode combinations within the array, the tactile stimulation waveforms including at least one series of pulses having a pulse amplitude and pulse frequency;
• delay delivery of the successive tactile stimulation waveforms relative to one another by a firing delay, the pulse amplitude, pulse frequency and firing delay representing therapy parameters;
• and
• manage at least one of the therapy parameters such that the successive tactile stimulation waveforms excites tactile C fibers of the nervous tissue of interest;
• wherein the IMD includes a switch circuit that defines individual channels between the IMD and each of the electrode combinations, the tactile stimulation waveforms being delivered over corresponding channels at non-overlapping points in time.