Systems, devices and methods that affect neural tissue through the delivery of a pulsed radio frequency signal generated by an implantable medical device

An implantable medical device configured for chronic implant, the device comprising:

• one or more electrodes configured to be implanted in, on, or adjacent a target area of nerves;
• an RF energy interface configured to receive energy from an external RF energy interface over a wireless energy link;
• an energy storage component coupled to the RF energy interface through charging circuitry and configured to store the energy;
• and
• a RF therapy controller coupled to the energy storage component and the one or more electrodes, the RF therapy controller programmatically configured to:
• 1) selectively generate each of three different types of a therapeutic output signal from the stored energy, the three different types of the therapeutic output signal comprising an RF stimulation therapy output signal, an RF heat therapy output signal, and an RF ablation therapy output signal, wherein each of the three different types of the therapeutic output signal comprises an RF signal oscillating at a frequency in a therapy band, and
• 2) deliver the therapeutic output signal to the one or more electrodes;
• wherein the RF stimulation therapy output signal comprises pulses of the RF signal configured to generate an alternating current field at or near the target area at a current level sufficient to modulate neural signals by altering or interrupting transmission of action potentials by one or more nerves while maintaining the target area below a first temperature;
• wherein the RF heat therapy output signal comprises pulses of the RF signal or a continuous RF signal configured to generate an alternating current field at or near the target area sufficient to increase the temperature of the target area to a value within a temperature range that is above the first temperature in order to provide analgesic heat to alleviate pain without causing nerve cell necrosis;
• and
• wherein the RF ablation therapy output signal comprises pulses of the RF signal configured to generate a voltage field at or near the target area sufficient to elevate the temperature at the target area to a value within a temperature range that is above the first temperature to induce necrosis in cells at the target area.

A method of delivering radio frequency (RF) therapy to a patient, comprising:

• transmitting RF energy through the application of a RF signal to an external RF energy interface, wherein the RF signal oscillates at a frequency in an energy transmission band;
• receiving the RF energy at an RF energy interface of an implanted medical device;
• storing energy derived from the received RF energy in a direct current (DC) energy storage component of the implanted medical device;
• generating, at an RF therapy controller of the implanted medical device, a selected one of three different types of a therapeutic output signal from the stored energy, the three different types of the therapeutic output signal comprising an RF stimulation therapy output signal, an RF heat therapy output signal, and an RF ablation therapy output signal, wherein each of the three different types of the therapeutic output signal comprises an RF signal oscillating at a frequency in a therapy band that is greater than the energy transmission band;
• and
• delivering the therapeutic output signal to one or more electrodes implanted in, on, or adjacent a target area of nerves;
• wherein the RF therapy controller is programmatically configured to:
• selectively generate each of the RF stimulation therapy output signal, the RF heat therapy output signal, and the RF ablation therapy output signal:
• wherein the RF stimulation therapy output signal comprises pulses of the RF signal configured to generate an alternating current field at or near the target area at a current level sufficient to modulate neural signals by altering or interrupting transmission of action potentials by one or more nerves while maintaining the target area below a first temperature;
• wherein the RF heat therapy output signal comprises pulses of the RF signal or a continuous RF signal configured to generate an alternating current field at or near the target area sufficient to increase the temperature of the target area to a value within a temperature range that is above the first temperature in order to provide analgesic heat to alleviate pain without causing nerve cell necrosis;
• and
• wherein the RF ablation therapy output signal comprises pulses of the RF signal configured to generate a voltage field at or near the target area sufficient to elevate the temperature at the target area to a value within a temperature range that is above the first temperature to induce necrosis in cells at the target area.