System and method for using impedance to determine proximity and orientation of segmented electrodes
First Claim
1. A method for performing a medical procedure on a patient using a neurostimulation lead having a longitudinal axis and an electrode ring segmented into at least two electrodes circumferentially spaced from each other about the longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
- positioning the electrode ring within the patient and proximate to a tissue volume that includes a target tissue region having different conductive properties than other proximate tissue in the tissue volume;
determining an electrical parameter of each of the at least two electrodes that form the electrode ring, the electrical parameter being based on the conductive properties of the tissue volume;
causing a difference in the electrical parameter to be determined and compared to a threshold value;
andbased on the comparison, re-positioning the electrode ring relative to the target tissue region.
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Abstract
A method for implanting a neurostimulation lead within a patient includes measuring impedances of electrodes on the lead in order to correctly position the lead relative to a target tissue region. The electrodes are circumferentially segmented electrodes that are spaced from each other about the longitudinal axis of the lead. When the difference between the impedances of the electrodes exceeds a threshold value, the lead is in the correct position. In accordance with another embodiment, impedance measurements are used to select which one of the electrodes is closest to the target tissue region. By determining which electrode has the highest impedance and which electrode has the lowest impedance, the type of tissue adjacent to each electrode can be determined based on the conductivity properties of the tissue. The target tissue region may be a spinal cord, a posterior longitudinal ligament, white matter, or gray matter.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for performing a medical procedure on a patient using a neurostimulation lead having a longitudinal axis and an electrode ring segmented into at least two electrodes circumferentially spaced from each other about the longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
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positioning the electrode ring within the patient and proximate to a tissue volume that includes a target tissue region having different conductive properties than other proximate tissue in the tissue volume; determining an electrical parameter of each of the at least two electrodes that form the electrode ring, the electrical parameter being based on the conductive properties of the tissue volume; causing a difference in the electrical parameter to be determined and compared to a threshold value; and based on the comparison, re-positioning the electrode ring relative to the target tissue region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for providing therapy to a patient using a neurostimulation lead implanted within the patient proximate to a tissue volume that includes a target tissue region having different conductive properties than other proximate tissue in the tissue volume, wherein the implanted neurostimulation lead has a longitudinal axis and an electrode ring segmented into at least two electrodes circumferentially spaced from each other about the longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
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determining an electrical parameter of each of the at least two electrodes, the electrical parameter being based on the conductive properties of the tissue volume; based on the determined electrical parameter, selecting an electrode from the at least two electrodes closest to the target tissue region; and conveying electrical stimulation energy from the selected electrode. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for providing therapy to a patient using a neurostimulation lead implanted within the patient proximate to a tissue volume that includes a target tissue region having different conductive properties than other proximate tissue in the tissue volume, wherein the implanted neurostimulation lead has a longitudinal axis and an electrode ring segmented into at least two electrodes circumferentially spaced from each other about the longitudinal axis, the system comprising:
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circuitry configured to determine an electrical parameter of each of the least two electrodes of the segmented electrode ring circumferentially spaced from each other about the longitudinal axis of the neurostimulation lead, the electrical parameter being based on the conductive properties of the tissue volume; a processor configured to select an electrode from the at least two electrodes closest to the target tissue region based on the determined electrical parameter, and cooperate with control output circuitry to convey electrical stimulation energy from the selected electrode. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification