Methods and systems for selective control of bladder function

A method of controlling a bladder or a bowel, said method comprising:

• applying alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs to a nerve that innervates said bowel or bladder;
• and
• applying alternate phase low frequency, high amplitude pulse pairs to said nerve to void the bladder or bowel, while continuing to apply the alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs.

A system for controlling a bladder or bowel, said system comprising:

• an electrical pulse generator configured to produce alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulses and an alternate phase low frequency, high amplitude pulses to a sacral nerve;
• and
• at least one electrode that can be coupled to a nerve and transmit an electrical signal from said pulse generator to said nerve.

A method of inhibiting neural transmission in a nerve by applying electrical impulses to the nerve where the electrical impulses have the following characteristics:

• alternate phase and a frequency in of at least 60 pulse pairs per second at an amplitude sufficient to inhibit neural transmission.

A method of reducing chronic pain, said method comprising applying electrical impulses having the following characteristics:

• alternate phase and a frequency of at least 60 pulse pairs per second to a nerve at an amplitude sufficient to inhibit neural transmission.

A method of reducing muscle spasticity in muscles innervated with nerves, said method comprising applying electrical impulses having the following characteristics:

• alternate phase and a frequency range of at least 60 pulse pairs per second to the nerve at an amplitude sufficient to inhibit neural transmission.

A method of inhibiting neural transmission in nerves by contacting the nerves with an electrode connected to an electrical pulse generator and applying electrical impulses having the following characteristics:

• alternate phase and a frequency in a range of 60 pulse pairs per second at an amplitude sufficient to inhibit neural transmission.

The method of claim Error! Reference source not found., wherein the high frequency pulses have pulse widths in a range of about 0.08 ms to about 0.12 ms.

A method of stimulating nerve fibers by applying alternate phase pulse pairs.

A method of selectively inhibiting neural transmission of somatic nerve fibers while selectively stimulating neural transmission of autonomic nerve fibers in a mixed nerve containing both somatic and autonomic nerve fibers, the method comprising:

• applying alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs to inhibit neural transmission of somatic nerve fibers without substantially inhibiting neural transmission of autonomic nerve fibers;
• and
• applying alternate phase low frequency, high amplitude pulse pairs to the nerve in an amount sufficient to stimulate neural transmission of autonomic nerve fibers.

A method of controlling a bladder or a bowel, the method comprising:

• (i) applying alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs to inhibit neural transmission of somatic nerve fibers without substantially inhibiting neural transmission of autonomic nerve fibers;
• and
• (ii) applying alternate phase low frequency, high amplitude pulse pairs to the nerve in an amount sufficient to stimulate neural transmission of autonomic nerve fibers.

A system for controlling a bladder or a bowel, the system comprising:

• at least one electrical pulse generator configured to produce alternate phase low frequency, high amplitude pulse pairs and/or alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs in communication with at least one mixed nerve containing both somatic and autonomic nerve fibers through at least one electrode.

A system for controlling a bladder or a bowel, the system comprising:

• at least an electrical pulse generator configured to produce alternate phase low frequency, high amplitude pulse pairs and alternate phase high frequency, low amplitude pulse pairs in communication with a multitude of mixed nerves containing both somatic and autonomic nerve fibers through an array of electrodes.