Systems and methods for automatically optimizing stimulus parameters and electrode configurations for neuro-stimulators
First Claim
1. A neuro-stimulation system, comprising:
- an electrode array having an implantable support member configured to be implanted into a patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member;
a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes, the pulse system delivering a stimulus to the therapy electrodes; and
a controller operatively coupled to the pulse system, the controller including a computer operable medium containing instructions that generate command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system and determine a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes based upon feedback input to the controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient. In one embodiment, a system includes an electrode array having an implantable support member configured to be implanted into a patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member. The system can also have a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes to deliver a stimulus to the therapy electrodes, and a sensing device configured to be attached to a sensing location of the patient. The sensing device generates response signals in response to the stimulus. The system can also include a controller operatively coupled to the pulse system and to the sensing device. The controller includes a computer operable medium that generates command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system, evaluates the response signals from the sensing device, and determines a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A neuro-stimulation system, comprising:
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an electrode array having an implantable support member configured to be implanted into a patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member;
a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes, the pulse system delivering a stimulus to the therapy electrodes; and
a controller operatively coupled to the pulse system, the controller including a computer operable medium containing instructions that generate command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system and determine a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes based upon feedback input to the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a computer, a method of automatically determining a favorable neuro-stimulation program for a patient, comprising:
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applying an electrical stimulus having a plurality of stimulus parameters to a selected configuration of the therapy electrodes that have been installed at a target therapy site of a patient;
sensing a response to the applied electrical stimulus at a sensing device that has been installed at a sense location of the patient;
determining whether the response is within a desired range or an improvement over a previous sensed response from a different electrical stimulus and/or a different configuration of therapy electrodes;
selecting an alternate configuration of therapy electrodes and/or an alternate electrical stimulus;
repeating the applying, sensing, determining and selecting procedures using the alternate configuration of therapy electrodes and/or the alternate electrical stimulus; and
choosing a configuration of therapy electrodes and/or an electrical stimulus corresponding to a sensed response that is within a desired range and/or provides a better result compared to other sensed responses. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. In a computer, a method of automatically determining a favorable a neuro-stimulation program for a patient, comprising:
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sending a command signal from a controller to a pulse system operatively coupled to the controller;
delivering an electrical pulse from the pulse system to a configuration of therapy electrodes in a therapy electrode array installed at a target stimulation site of a patient;
sensing a response to the electrical pulse at a sensing device installed at a sense location of the patient;
receiving a response signal from the sensing device at the controller;
in the controller, determining whether the signal is within a desired range or an improvement over a previous response signal from another electrical pulse and/or another configuration of therapy electrodes, and selecting an alternate configuration of therapy electrodes and/or an alternate electrical pulse;
repeating the sending, delivering, sensing, receiving, and determining procedures using the alternate configuration of therapy electrodes and/or the alternate electrical pulse; and
in the controller, identifying an effective pulse therapy electrode configuration and/or electrical pulse; and
storing the effective therapy electrode configuration and/or electrical pulse in a memory of the controller. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of automatically determining a favorable neuro-stimulation program for a patient, comprising:
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installing an electrode array having a plurality of therapy electrodes at a therapy site of a patient;
installing a sensing device at a sense location of the patient;
selecting a setup configuration of therapy electrodes and a control stimulus of electrical parameters;
applying the control stimulus to the therapy electrodes;
sensing a response in the patient with the sensing device and generating a response signal;
in the controller, evaluating the response signal by comparing the response signal with at least one of a desired response signal and/or an antecedent response signal sensed by the sensing device that have been stored in a memory of the controller;
in the controller, automatically choosing an alternate configuration of therapy electrodes according to the evaluation of the response signal with the desired response signal and/or the antecedent response signal;
reapplying the control stimulus to the alternate configuration of therapy electrodes and sensing a response signal using the sensing device; and
repeating the evaluating, choosing and reapplying procedures until the response signal is within a desired range and/or a desired number of therapy electrode configurations have been tested.
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42. A method of automatically determining a favorable neuro-stimulation program for a patient, comprising:
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installing an electrode array having a plurality of therapy electrodes at a therapy site of a patient;
installing a sensing device at a sense location of the patient;
applying an electrical stimulus having a plurality of stimulus parameters to a control configuration of therapy electrodes;
sensing a response in the patient with the sensing device and generating a response signal;
in the controller, evaluating the response signal by comparing the response signal with at least one of a desired response signal and/or an antecedent response signal sensed by the sensing device stored in a memory of the controller;
in the controller, adjusting at least one of the stimulus parameters according to the evaluation of the response signal with the desired response signal and/or the antecedent response signal;
reapplying the adjusted stimulus parameters to the setup configuration of therapy electrodes and sensing a response signal using the sensing device; and
repeating the evaluating, choosing and reapplying procedures until the response signal is within a desired range and/or a desired number of stimulus parameters have been tested.
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43. A method of automatically determining a favorable sub-threshold neuro-stimulation program for a patient, comprising:
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selecting a set of stimulation parameters for an electrical stimulus;
applying the electrical stimulus to a configuration of therapy electrodes at a target stimulation site of the patient;
sensing a response signal at a sensing site of the patient that corresponds to the electrical stimulus applied to the therapy electrodes;
independently adjusting a current intensity until a threshold electrical stimulus is identified, the threshold electrical stimulus having a threshold current intensity at which a response is first identified in a population of neurons of the target site; and
applying a sub-threshold electrical stimulus to the configuration of therapy electrodes, the sub-threshold electrical stimulus having a current intensity less than the current intensity of the threshold electrical stimulus. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification