Focal Tissue Stimulator

A focal tissue stimulator comprising a pair of concentric conductors, the pair of concentric conductors comprising:

• an inner conductor;
• and
• an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, the inner and outer conductors having respective coincident axes,
• wherein the inner conductor includes a first pair of opposing, outwardly-extending pointed features that lie on the axis of the inner conductor, and the outer conductor includes a second pair of facing, inwardly-extending pointed features that lie on the axis of the outer conductor an face respective pointed features of the first pair of pointed features,
• wherein the inner and outer conductors are coupled or couplable to respective leads configured to deliver current for passage therebetween, the pointed features of the inner and outer conductors creating a pathway of increased current density relative to the first and second conductors absent the pointed features.

A focal tissue stimulator comprising a pair of conductors, the pair of conductors comprising:

• a first conductor;
• and
• a second conductor separate from the first conductor, the first and second conductors having respective first axes and mutually-perpendicular second axes, the first axis of the second conductor being separate from but parallel to the first axis of the first conductor, the second axis of the second conductor being coincident with the second axis of first conductor,
• wherein the first conductor includes an outwardly-extending pointed feature that lies on the second axis of the first conductor and faces the second conductor, and
• wherein the first and second conductors are coupled or couplable to respective leads configured to deliver current for passage therebetween, the pointed feature of the first conductor creating a pathway of increased current density relative to the first conductor absent the pointed feature.

A focal tissue stimulator comprising three conductors, the three conductors comprising:

• a first conductor;
• a second conductor separate from the first conductor;
• and
• a third conductor separate from the first and second conductors,
• wherein the first, second and third conductors have respective first axes and mutually-perpendicular second axes, the first axis of the first, second and third conductors being separate from but parallel to one another, the second axis of the first, second and third conductors being coincident with one another,
• wherein the first and third conductors include respective outwardly-extending pointed features that lie on the second axis of respective ones of the first and third conductors, and that face the second conductor,
• wherein the second conductor includes a pair of opposing, outwardly-extending pointed features that lie on the second axis of the second conductor, the pointed features of the pair facing respective ones of the first and third conductors, and
• wherein the first, second and third conductors are coupled or couplable to respective leads configured to deliver current for passage between the first and second conductors, and between the second and third conductors, the pointed features of the first, second and third conductors creating pathways of increased current density relative to the first, second and third conductors absent the pointed features.

A focal tissue stimulator comprising one or more depth electrodes each of which comprises:

• a first electrical contact;
• and
• a second electrical contact separate from the first electrical contact, the first and second electrical contacts being positioned on the electrode along a length thereof,
• wherein the first and second electrical contacts include respective outwardly-extending pointed features that face one another, and
• wherein the first and second electrical contacts are coupled to the electrode configured to deliver current for passage therebetween, the pointed features of the first and second electrical contacts creating a pathway of increased current density relative to the first and second electrical contacts absent the pointed feature.