US Patent 7769467 Level-dependent stimulation methods and systems

Methods of applying stimulation to a stimulation site within a patient include applying stimulation current to the stimulation site via at least one stimulating electrode, applying compensating current configured to affect at least one excitation field caused by the stimulation current via one or more additional electrodes, and dynamically adjusting the compensating current as a function of an amplitude of the stimulation current. Systems for applying stimulation to a stimulation site within a patient include an implantable stimulator, at least one stimulating electrode electrically coupled to the implantable stimulator, and one or more additional electrodes electrically coupled to the implantable stimulator. The stimulator is configured to apply stimulation current to the stimulation site via the at least one stimulating electrode, apply compensating current configured to affect at least one excitation field caused by the stimulation current via the one or more additional electrodes, and dynamically adjust the compensating current as a function of an amplitude of the stimulation current.