Systems and methods for providing neural stimulation transitions

A method for operating an implantable neural stimulator with programmable parameters adapted to be programmed using a patient-external device, comprising:

• programming at least one ramp parameter for neural stimulation intensity using the patient-external device;
• generating a neural stimulation signal for a neural stimulation therapy, including:
• generating the neural stimulation signal during a duty cycle of a stimulation period to provide the neural stimulation therapy with an intensity at a therapy level for a portion of the duty cycle;
• and
• implementing:
• a ramp up protocol with at least one programmable ramp up parameter to begin the duty cycle, wherein the at least one programmable ramp up parameter includes a parameter selected from the group of parameters consisting of:
• a first subthreshold level parameter for the neural stimulation therapy at the beginning of the duty cycle from which to ramp up to the therapy level;
• and
• a ramp up duration parameter;
• a ramp down protocol with programmable ramp down parameters to end the duty cycle, wherein the programmable ramp down parameter includes a parameter selected from the group of parameters consisting of:
• a second subthreshold level parameter for the neural stimulation therapy at the end of the duty cycle to which to ramp down from the therapy level;
• and
• a ramp down duration parameter.

A method for delivering neural stimulation to a neural target of a patient, comprising:

• generating a neural stimulation signal for a neural stimulation therapy, including:
• generating the neural stimulation signal during a duty cycle of a stimulation period to provide the neural stimulation therapy with an intensity at a therapy level for a portion of the duty cycle;
• and
• implementing a ramp up protocol to begin the duty cycle, a ramp down protocol to end the duty cycle, or both the ramp up protocol to begin the duty cycle and the ramp down protocol to end the duty cycle;
• monitoring a physiologic response to the end of the duty cycle;
• and
• adjusting the ramp up protocol, the ramp down protocol, or both the ramp up protocol and ramp down protocol using the monitored physiologic response to the end of the duty cycle.

A neural stimulator, comprising:

• a neural stimulation delivery system adapted to generate a neural stimulation signal for a neural stimulation therapy;
• and
• a controller adapted to control the neural stimulation delivery system to:
• generate the neural stimulation signal during a duty cycle of a stimulation period to provide the neural stimulation therapy with an intensity at a therapy level for a portion of the duty cycle;
• and
• implement a protocol selected from the group of protocols consisting of:
• a ramp up protocol to begin the duty cycle by ramping up the intensity from a non-zero first subthreshold level for the neural stimulation therapy at the beginning of the duty cycle to the therapy level;
• a ramp down protocol to end the duty cycle by ramping down the intensity from the therapy intensity level to a non-zero second subthreshold level for the neural stimulation therapy at the end of the duty cycle;
• and
• a protocol that includes both the ramp up protocol to begin the duty cycle and the ramp down protocol to end the duty cycle.