Utilization of an Extended Inter-Pulse Interval in a Modified Continuous Interleaved Stimulation Strategy

A system comprising:

• at least one processor that
• receives a signal;
• divides the signal into a plurality of analysis channels each containing a frequency domain signal representative of a distinct frequency portion of the signal, the plurality of analysis channels including a first analysis channel corresponding to a first electrode and that contains a first frequency domain signal;
• represents the first frequency domain signal to a patient by
• directing an implantable stimulator to apply, during a first stimulation frame, a first monophasic stimulation pulse representative of a first temporal portion of the first frequency domain signal that corresponds to the first stimulation frame, the first monophasic stimulation pulse having a first polarity;
• and
• directing the implantable stimulator to apply, during a second stimulation frame that is temporally subsequent to the first stimulation frame, a second monophasic stimulation pulse representative of a second temporal portion of the first frequency domain signal that corresponds to the second stimulation frame, the second monophasic stimulation pulse configured to at least partially charge balance the first monophasic stimulation pulse and having a second polarity opposite the first polarity;
• and
• determines, based on an amplitude of the second monophasic stimulation pulse, an amount of charge needed to fully charge balance the first monophasic stimulation pulse;
• and
• directs the implantable stimulator to apply charge balancing stimulation having the determined amount of charge during an inter-pulse interval between the first monophasic stimulation pulse and the second monophasic stimulation pulse.

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a processor, a signal;
• dividing, by the processor, the signal into a plurality of analysis channels each containing a frequency domain signal representative of a distinct frequency portion of the signal, the plurality of analysis channels including a first analysis channel corresponding to a first electrode and that contains a first frequency domain signal;
• and
• representing, by the processor after the dividing of the signal, the first frequency domain signal to a patient by
• directing an implantable stimulator to apply, during a first stimulation frame, a first monophasic stimulation pulse representative of a first temporal portion of the first frequency domain signal that corresponds to the first stimulation frame, the first monophasic stimulation pulse having a first polarity;
• and
• directing the implantable stimulator to apply, during a second stimulation frame that is temporally subsequent to the first stimulation frame, a second monophasic stimulation pulse representative of a second temporal portion of the first frequency domain signal that corresponds to the second stimulation frame, the second monophasic stimulation pulse configured to at least partially charge balance the first monophasic stimulation pulse and having a second polarity opposite the first polarity,
• wherein:
• the first electrode is included in an array of electrodes implanted within the patient;
• during the first stimulation frame, the first monophasic stimulation pulse is applied to the first electrode and a first set of monophasic stimulation pulses are sequentially applied by the implantable stimulator to additional electrodes included in the array of electrodes;
• and
• each monophasic stimulation pulse applied in the first stimulation frame has an opposite polarity to each directly adjacent monophasic stimulation pulse applied in the first stimulation frame.