Methods and implantable apparatus for electrical therapy

An implantable neurostimulator, comprising:

• a body-implantable first electrode comprising an elongate first body carrying a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, the first and second contacts being spaced from one another by 3-15 cm along a length of the first body, each of the first and second contacts being exposed for electrical contact with target tissue in which the first electrode is implanted;
• a body-implantable second electrode comprising an elongate second body carrying a third electrical contact and a fourth electrical contact, the third and fourth contacts being spaced from one another by 3-15 cm along a length of the second body, each of the third and fourth contacts being exposed for electrical contact with the target tissue in which the second electrode is implanted;
• and
• an implantable pulse system being configured to deliver electrical pulses to the first electrode and to the second electrode in a controlled waveform selected to stimulate nerves positioned at a location in the target tissue spaced from the first lead and from the second lead.

A method of delivering electrical therapy to a recipient, comprising:

• identifying a target volume of the recipient's body, the target volume including at least one target nerve positioned outside the patient's epidural space;
• subcutaneously implanting a flexible first electrode having spaced-apart first and second contacts, the first and second contacts being positioned within the target volume at an indeterminate distance from the target nerve;
• and
• electrically stimulating the target nerve by delivering a series of electrical pulses to the first electrode.

A method of delivering electrical therapy to a recipient, comprising:

• identifying a target volume of the recipient's body, the target volume including at least one target nerve positioned outside the patient's epidural space;
• subcutaneously implanting a flexible first electrode with a first contact within the target volume at an indeterminate distance from the target nerve;
• subcutaneously implanting a flexible second electrode with a second contact within the target volume at an indeterminate distance from the target nerve, but with the second contact spaced at least about 5 cm from the first contact;
• coupling the first electrode and the second electrode to a common pulse system;
• and
• electrically stimulating the target nerve by generating an electrical field between the first and second electrodes.

A method of electrically stimulating a plurality of nerves distributed in a target volume of a recipient's body, comprising:

• subcutaneously implanting a first electrode at a first location, the first electrode defining at least two first electrical contact sites within the target volume spaced along the length of the first electrode;
• subcutaneously implanting a second electrode at a second location, the second electrode defining at least two second electrical contact sites within the target volume spaced along the length of the second electrode, the contact sites of the second electrode being spaced at least about 5 cm from the contact sites of the first electrode;
• coupling the first electrode and the second electrode to a common pulse system;
• subcutaneously implanting the pulse system in the recipient's body;
• and
• electrically stimulating the plurality of nerves by delivering electrical pulses to the first and second electrodes via the pulse system.

A method of delivering electrical therapy to a recipient, comprising:

• subcutaneously implanting an elongate first electrode at a location extending on a first side of the recipient's spinal column at a location outside the epidural space, the first electrode including a first contact and a second contact, the second contact being spaced at least 3 cm from the first contact;
• subcutaneously implanting an elongate second electrode at a location extending on a second side of the recipient's spinal column at a location outside the epidural space, the second electrode including a third contact and a fourth contact, the fourth contact being spaced at least 3 cm from the third contact, the second side being different from the first side and the third and fourth contacts being spaced from each of the first and second contacts by at least about 5 cm;
• and
• electrically stimulating nerves in the patient's back by delivering electrical pulses to the first and second electrodes.

A method of electrically treating a wound, comprising:

• subcutaneously implanting a first electrode along a first side of the wound;
• subcutaneously implanting a second electrode along a second side of the wound opposite the first side of the wound;
• coupling the first and second electrodes to a common pulse system;
• and
• electrically stimulating nerves in a tissue volume including the wound by delivering electrical pulses to the first and second electrodes.