Shifting between electrode combinations in electrical stimulation device
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- delivering electrical stimulation to a patient via a first electrode combination carried by one or more implantable leads;
delivering electrical stimulation to the patient via a second electrode combination on a time-interleaved basis with the stimulation delivery via the first electrode combination carried by one or more implantable leads; and
incrementally shifting the delivery of stimulation from the first electrode combination to the second electrode combination.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In general, the invention is directed to techniques for shifting between two electrode combinations. An amplitude of a first electrode combination is incrementally decreased while an amplitude of a second, or subsequent, electrode combination is concurrently incrementally increased. The stimulation pulses of the first and second electrode combinations are delivered to the patient interleaved in time. In this manner, the invention provides for a smooth, gradual shift from a first electrode combination to a second electrode combination, thereby allowing the patient to maintain a continual perception of stimulation. The shifting techniques described herein may be used during programming to shift between different electrode combinations to find the most efficacious electrode combination. Additionally, the techniques may be used for shifting between different electrode combinations associated with different stimulation programs or program sets.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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delivering electrical stimulation to a patient via a first electrode combination carried by one or more implantable leads;
delivering electrical stimulation to the patient via a second electrode combination on a time-interleaved basis with the stimulation delivery via the first electrode combination carried by one or more implantable leads; and
incrementally shifting the delivery of stimulation from the first electrode combination to the second electrode combination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising:
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an medical device that includes;
one or more implantable leads that include a plurality of electrodes;
a pulse generator to deliver electrical stimulation; and
a switch device to couple the stimulation to selected electrodes; and
a programmer that programs the medical device, wherein the programmer controls the medical device to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via a first electrode combination, deliver electrical stimulation to the patient via a second electrode combination on a time-interleaved basis with the stimulation delivered via the first electrode combination, and incrementally shift the delivery of stimulation from the first electrode combination to the second electrode combination. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A medical device comprising:
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one or more implantable leads that include a plurality of electrodes;
a pulse generator to deliver stimulation energy;
a switch device to couple the stimulation energy to selected electrodes; and
a processor to control the pulse generator and the switch device to deliver stimulation to the patient in accordance with a plurality of programs, wherein the processor controls the pulse generator and the switch device to deliver stimulation to the patient via a first electrode combination and to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient via a second electrode combination on a time-interleaved basis with the stimulation delivered via the first electrode combination, and wherein the processor incrementally shifts the delivery of stimulation from the first electrode combination to the second electrode combination. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A programmer comprising:
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a memory that stores a first electrode combination and a second electrode combination; and
a processor that controls delivery of electrical stimulation to a patient via the first electrode combination, delivery of electrical stimulation to the patient via the second electrode combination on a time-interleaved basis with the electrical stimulation via the first electrode combination, and incremental shifting of the delivery of electrical stimulation from the first electrode combination to the second electrode combination.
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- 34. The programmer of 33, further comprising a user interface that receives user input to identify the second electrode combination.
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38. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that cause a processor to control a neurostimulator to:
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deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via a first electrode combination;
deliver electrical stimulation to the patient via second electrode combination on a time-interleaved basis with the stimulation delivery via the first electrode combination; and
incrementally shift the delivery of stimulation from the first electrode combination to the second electrode combination.
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39. A system comprising:
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means for delivering electrical stimulation to a patient via a first electrode combination;
means to delivering electrical stimulation to the patient via a second electrode combination on a time-interleaved basis with the stimulation delivery via the first electrode combination; and
means for incrementally shift the delivery of stimulation from the first electrode combination to the second electrode combination.
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Specification