Methods and systems for nerve conduction block

A method for more safely monitoring direct current conditioning of a working electrode, comprising:

• applying direct current of a first polarity over a first duration,
• applying direct current of a second polarity opposite the first polarity over a second duration,
• receiving measurements of the peak voltage of the first polarity over the first duration and measurements of the peak voltage of the second polarity over the second duration;
• adjusting the direct current by analyzing the peak voltages over the first duration and the second duration, and increasing the current magnitude by an amount up to a pre-determined current limit if the measured peak voltage over the first duration and the second duration is below an absolute threshold limit.

A method for increasing efficacy of an alternating current electrode system, comprising:

• delivering alternating current via an electrode and electrode lead to a target tissue of a patient utilizing a DC-offset waveform,
• wherein the electrode or electrode lead comprises one or more of:
• high density charge materials, a SINE electrode, and/or a silver-silver chloride material,
• wherein the method increases excitability of target neurons, thereby decreasing thresholds and widening the therapeutic window of the target tissue stimulation.