System and method for selective neural activation using high-frequency electrical stimulation

A system configured to stimulate a neural tissue including a first type of neurons and a second type of neurons, the system comprising:

• a power source;
• a stimulating element powered by the power source, the stimulating element structured to be positioned in proximity to the neural tissue;
• and
• a controller in communication with the stimulating element, the controller including a storage medium on which is stored program code such that, when the program code is executed by a processor, the program code causes the processor to:
• define a waveform characterizing an electrical stimulus, the waveform including an amplitude-modulated wave of the electric stimulus, and
• control the stimulating element to apply the electrical stimulus having the defined waveform to selectively activate the first type of neurons while leaving the second type of neurons one of substantially unaffected and suppressed in response to the electrical stimulus.

A retinal prosthetic device comprising:

• a power source;
• a stimulating element powered by the power source, the stimulating element structured to be positioned in proximity to and apply stimulation to a plurality of retinal ganglion cells including a first type of retinal ganglion cells and a second type of retinal ganglion cells;
• a sensing element powered by the power source, the sensing element structured to receive a light stimulus in proximity to the plurality of retinal ganglion cells and to generate a light output representative of the light stimulus;
• and
• a controller in communication with the stimulating element and the sensing element, the controller including a storage medium on which is stored program code such that, when the program code is executed by a processor, the program code causes the processor to:
• receive the light output from the sensing element,
• select pulse train parameters based on the light input,
• define a pulse train characterizing an electrical stimulus, the pulse train including the selected pulse train parameters, and
• control the stimulating element to apply the electrical stimulus having the defined pulse train to generate a first level of activity from the first type of retinal ganglion cells and a second level of activity from the second type of retinal ganglion cells.