Systems and methods for treating a patient with multiple stimulation therapies

• US 20060200205A1
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Haller, Matthew I.
• Application Number:
  US11/069,251
• Publication Number:
  US 20060200205A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

Exemplary systems for treating a patient with multiple stimulation therapies include a stimulator configured to automatically apply two or more stimulation signals to a stimulation site via a single channel. Each of the stimulation signals is defined by a distinct set of stimulation parameters. Exemplary methods of treating a patient with multiple stimulation therapies include defining two or more stimulation signals with two or more sets of stimulation parameters and applying the stimulation signals via a single channel to a stimulation site with a stimulator.

Claims

1. A system for treating a stimulation site within a patient with multiple stimulation therapies, said system comprising:

a stimulator configured to automatically apply two or more stimulation signals to said stimulation site via a single channel;

wherein each of said stimulation signals is defined by a distinct set of stimulation parameters.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said stimulation signals comprise:

a first stimulation signal configured to treat stress incontinence; and

a second stimulation signal configured to treat urge incontinence.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said sets of said stimulation parameters comprises at least one or more of a frequency, amplitude, duration, timing, duty cycle, pulse width, and configuration of said channel corresponding to one of said stimulation signals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said stimulator comprises a programmable memory unit for storing said sets of stimulation parameters.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said stimulator comprises at least one or more of a microstimulator and an implantable pulse generator.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said stimulation site is located in a pelvic region of said patient.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said stimulator comprises a single channel stimulator.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said stimulator comprises a multi-channel stimulator.

9. A method of treating a stimulation site within a patient with multiple stimulation therapies, said method comprising:

defining two or more stimulation signals with two or more sets of stimulation parameters; and

applying said stimulation signals via a single channel to said stimulation site with a stimulator.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said stimulation signals comprise:

a first stimulation signal configured to treat stress incontinence; and

a second stimulation signal configured to treat urge incontinence.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein each of said sets of said stimulation parameters comprises at least one or more of a frequency, amplitude, duration, timing, duty cycle, pulse width, and configuration of said channel corresponding to one of said stimulation signals.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising storing said sets of stimulation parameters in a programmable memory unit.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said stimulator comprises at least one or more of a microstimulator and an implantable pulse generator.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said stimulation site is located in a pelvic region of said patient.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of applying said stimulation signals via said single channel to said stimulation site comprises applying said stimulation signals in an alternating pattern.

16. A system for treating a stimulation site within a patient with multiple stimulation therapies, said system comprising:

means for defining two or more stimulation signals with two or more sets of stimulation parameters; and

means for applying said stimulation signals via a single channel to said stimulation site.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said stimulation signals comprise:

a first stimulation signal configured to treat stress incontinence; and

a second stimulation signal configured to treat urge incontinence.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein each of said sets of said stimulation parameters comprises at least one or more of a frequency, amplitude, duration, timing, duty cycle, pulse width, and configuration of said channel corresponding to one of said stimulation signals.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for storing said sets of stimulation parameters in a programmable memory unit.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein said stimulation site is located in a pelvic region of said patient.