Method for programming implantable device

• US 20050245987A1
• Filed: 04/13/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Thacker, James R., Ford, Susan E., Woods, Carla M., Bradley, Kerry, Theriot, Margaret E., Peterson, David K., Segel, Holly A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,233,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37241 providing test stimulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

A method for selecting Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) stimulation parameter sets guides a clinician towards an effective set of stimulation parameters. The clinician first evaluates the effectiveness of a small number of trial stimulation parameters sets from a Measurement Table comprising for example, four stimulation parameter sets. Based on the patient'"'"'s assessment, the trial stimulation parameter sets are ranked. Then the clinician selects a starting or benchmark row in a Steering Table corresponding to the highest ranked trial stimulation parameter set. The clinician moves either up or down form the starting row, testing consecutive parameter sets. The clinician continues as long as the patient indicates that the stimulation results are improving. When a local optimum is found, the clinician returns to the benchmark row, and tests in the opposite direction for another local optimum. If an acceptable set of stimulation parameters is found, the selection process is complete. If an acceptable set is not found, a new starting row in the Steering Table is selected based on the next ranked trial set from the Measurement Table, and the process of searching for local optima is repeated.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A method for selecting an electrode configuration for use in a medical electrical stimulator, comprising:

providing a set of electrode configurations for at least the active electrodes of an electrode array;

automatically testing at least a first portion of the set of electrode configurations in a first order;

allowing the selection of one or more of the tested electrode configurations; and

automatically testing at least a second portion of the set of electrode configurations in a second order if a suitable number of electrode configurations from among said first portion are not selected within a predefined interval.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the selection is based on objective criteria.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the selection is by a patient, a clinician, or a combination thereof.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

selecting one or more of the tested electrode configurations; and

re-testing the one or more selected electrode configurations.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein a rate at which successive electrode configurations are tested is controllable.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the rate corresponds to about a 5% change in current amplitude per second to about a 50% change in current amplitude per second.

22. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

selecting one or more of the tested electrode configurations; and

storing the selected electrode configurations.

23. A method for selecting an electrode configuration for use in a medical electrical stimulator, comprising:

providing a set of electrode configurations the active electrodes of an electrode array;

automatically testing at least a portion of the set of electrode configurations;

allowing the selection of one or more of the tested electrode configurations;

adjusting one or more parameters during the testing,

wherein the parameters are selected from the group consisting of polarity, polarity percentage, amplitude, pulse width, pulse rate, and combinations thereof, and

wherein the adjusting is controllably shared between a clinician and a patient.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the selection of one or more of the tested electrode configurations is based on objective criteria.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the selection is by a patient, a clinician, or a combination thereof.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

selecting one or more of the tested electrode configurations; and

re-testing the one or more selected electrode configurations.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein a rate at which successive electrode configurations are tested is controllable.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the rate corresponds to about a 5% change in current amplitude per second to about a 50% change in current amplitude per second.

29. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

selecting one or more of the tested electrode configurations; and

storing the selected electrode configurations.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein a clinician determines a level of patient control of the adjusting.

31. A method for selecting an electrode configuration for use in a medical electrical stimulator, comprising:

providing a set of electrode configurations for at least each active electrode of an electrode array; and

testing an effective number of electrode configurations of the set of electrode configurations by, wherein the testing comprises;

sweeping through each section of an area of potential stimulation provided by one or more implanted electrode arrays;

marking electrode configurations that are effective;

testing electrode configurations near any marked electrode configurations; and

allowing the selection of one or more of the tested electrode configurations.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the rate at which successive electrode configurations are tested corresponds to about a 5% change in current amplitude per second to about a 50% change in current amplitude per second.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the user is allowed to select the rate at which successive electrode configurations are tested.