Distributed lead functionality testing

• US 20060265024A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Goetz, Steven M., Lee, Michael T., Torgerson, Nathan A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,623,919 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3603 Control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37 Monitoring; Protecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3706 Pacemaker parameters stimulation threshold A61N1/371

Abstract

Techniques for performing lead functionality tests, e.g., lead impedance tests, for implantable electrical leads are described. In some of the described embodiments, an implantable medical device determines whether a patient is in a target activity state, e.g., an activity state in which lead impedance testing will be unobtrusive, such as when a patient is asleep, or capture information of particular interest, such as when the patient is active, in a particular posture, or changing postures. The implantable medical device performs the lead functionality test based on this determination. Additionally, in some embodiments, the implantable medical device may group a plurality of measurements for a single lead functionality test into a plurality of sessions, and perform the measurement sessions interleaved with delivery of therapeutic stimulation.

Claims

1. A method for performing a lead functionality test for at least one electrical lead implanted within in a patient comprising:

defining multiple combinations of electrodes;

measuring an electrical parameter for each of the combinations over a series of measurement sessions; and

delivering therapeutic stimulation to the patient via the electrical lead between consecutive measurement sessions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein measuring an electrical parameter comprises measuring an impedance.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a duration of each of the sessions is within a range from approximately 200 microseconds to approximately five minutes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a duration of each of the sessions is less than approximately one second.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the sessions includes a single electrical pulse.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein wherein a time period between adjacent ones of the plurality of sessions is within a range from approximately ten seconds to approximately thirty minutes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein wherein a time period between adjacent ones of the plurality of sessions is greater than approximately thirty seconds

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a time period between adjacent ones of the plurality of sessions is greater than approximately one minute.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering therapeutic stimulation comprises delivering neurostimulation pulses.

10. A system comprising:

at least one electrical lead implantable within a patient; and

a processor that;

defines multiple combinations of electrodes that include electrodes carried by the electrical lead;

controls measurement of an electrical parameter for each of the combinations over a series of measurement sessions, and

directs delivery of therapeutic stimulation to the patient via the electrical lead between consecutive measurement sessions.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the electrical parameter comprises an impedance.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein a duration of each of the sessions is within a range from approximately 200 microseconds to approximately five minutes.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein a duration of each of the sessions is less than approximately one second.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the sessions includes a single electrical pulse.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein wherein a time period between adjacent ones of the plurality of sessions is within a range from approximately ten seconds to approximately thirty minutes.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein wherein a time period between adjacent ones of the plurality of sessions is greater than approximately thirty seconds.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein a time period between adjacent ones of the plurality of sessions is greater than approximately one minute.

18. The system of claim 10, further comprising an implantable medical device coupled to the lead that includes the processor.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor controls delivery of neurostimulation pulses by the implantable medical device between each of the sessions.

20. A system comprising:

means defining multiple combinations of electrodes that include electrodes carried by at least one implantable electrical lead;

means for measuring an electrical parameter for each of the combinations of electrodes over a plurality of sessions; and

means for delivering therapeutic stimulation to the patient via at least some of the electrodes between consecutive measurement sessions.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the means for measuring an electrical parameter comprises means for measuring an impedance.