Stimulation channel selection methods

• US 20060271126A1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Bionics LLC (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics LLC (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Voelkel, Andrew W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,603,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/57
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation

Abstract

Methods of selecting a number of channels out of a multiplicity of channels of an implantable neural stimulation system for stimulation during a stimulation frame include obtaining a threshold corresponding to the stimulation frame, using the threshold to determine an adjusted amplitude corresponding to one or more channels within the multiplicity of channels, using the adjusted amplitudes to determine a probability for each of the one or more channels within the multiplicity of channels, providing a random number for each of the one or more channels within the multiplicity of channels, and selecting a number of channels within the one or more channels for stimulation during the stimulation frame. Each of the selected number of channels has a probability that is greater than the random number.

Claims

1. A method of selecting a number of channels out of a multiplicity of channels of an implantable neural stimulation system for stimulation during a stimulation frame, said method comprising:

obtaining a threshold corresponding to said stimulation frame;

using said threshold to determine an adjusted amplitude corresponding to one or more channels within said multiplicity of channels;

using said adjusted amplitudes to determine a probability for each of said one or more channels within said multiplicity of channels;

providing a random number for each of said one or more channels within said multiplicity of channels; and

selecting a number of channels within said one or more channels for stimulation during said stimulation frame;

wherein each of said selected number of channels has a probability that is greater than said random number.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a total number of said one or more channels within said multiplicity of channels is equal to a total number of said multiplicity of channels.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said selected number of channels is equal to a predetermined number of channels.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein if said selected number of channels is greater than a predetermined number, said threshold is increased for a subsequent stimulation frame.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein if said selected number of channels is less than a predetermined number, said threshold is decreased for a subsequent stimulation frame.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein if said selected number of channels is greater than a predetermined number, said method further comprises de-selecting one or more of said selected channels until said total number of said selected channels is equal to said predetermined number.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said de-selecting of said one or more selected channels comprises randomly de-selecting one or more of said selected channels until said total number of said selected channels is equal to said predetermined number.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said de-selecting of said one or more of said selected channels comprises basing said de-selection on a frequency of said selected channels.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising de-selecting a number of channels having a lowest frequency among said selected channels.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising de-selecting a number of channels having a highest frequency among said selected channels.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein if said selected number of channels is less than a predetermined number, said method further comprises selecting one or more additional channels having probabilities that are less than said random number until said selected number of channels is equal to said predetermined number.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting of said one or more additional channels comprises randomly selecting one or more channels having probabilities that are less than said random number until said selected number of channels is equal to said predetermined number.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said selecting of said one or more additional channels comprises basing said selection of said additional channels on a frequency of said channels having probabilities that are less than said random number.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising selecting a number of channels having a lowest frequency among said channels having probabilities that are less than said random number.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising selecting a number of channels having a lowest frequency among said channels having probabilities that are less than said random number.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of using said threshold to determine an adjusted amplitude corresponding to said one or more channels within said multiplicity of channels comprises subtracting said threshold from an amplitude corresponding to said one or more channels within said multiplicity of channels.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

summing said probabilities of said selected number of channels; and

comparing said summed probability to a predefined number;

wherein said threshold is increased if said summed probability is greater than said predefined number and wherein said threshold is decreased if said summed probability is less than said predefined number.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more stimulation signals are applied to a patient via said channels selected for stimulation during said stimulation frame.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein said implantable neural stimulation system comprises an implantable cochlear stimulation system.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein said implantable neural stimulation system comprises at least one or more of a spinal cord stimulation system and a deep brain stimulation system.