Method and apparatus providing asynchronous neural stimulation

• US 20080046052A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Giftakis, Jonathon, Werder, Jon
• Granted Patent: US 8,355,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 specified by the stimulation parameters

Abstract

Method and apparatus providing asynchronous neural stimulation pseudo-randomly varying at least one of a plurality of stimulation parameters. Neural stimulation may be monitored and compared with a target. Parameters may be varied to more closely match stimulation target. A range for at least one parameter may be established and the parameter varied within the range. A finite sequence of values within the range may be generated or selected. An average of the finite sequence of values may approximate the stimulation target.

Claims

1. A method of providing neural stimulation having a target to a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing neural stimulation having a plurality of stimulation parameters;

pseudo-randomly varying at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters;

monitoring said neural stimulation delivered to said patient;

comparing said neural stimulation delivered to said patient with said target; and

taking an action based upon said monitoring step.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said taking an action step comprises modifying at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters in order that said neural stimulation more closely matches said target.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein said taking an action step comprises notifying a user of a result of said monitoring step.

4. A method of providing neural stimulation having a target to a patient, said target determined, at least in part, by a plurality of stimulation parameters, comprising the steps of:

providing neural stimulation specified by said plurality of stimulation parameters; and

pseudo-randomly varying at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters in a way to more closely match said target.

5. A method as in claim 4 wherein said pseudo-randomly varying step comprises the steps of:

generating a finite sequence of values of at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters; and

selecting one of said finite sequence of values for said neural stimulation.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein said generating step is performed such that an average of said finite sequence of values more closely matches said target than would occur randomly.

7. A method as in claim 5 wherein said generating step is performed such that an average of said finite sequence of values approximates said target.

8. A method as in claim 7 wherein said generating step is performed such that an average of said finite sequence of values matches said target.

9. A method as in claim 5 wherein said selecting step is repeated during a stimulation treatment period.

10. A method as in claim 9 wherein said generating step is performed manually.

11. A method as in claim 9 wherein said possible values for said values of said sequence of values are generated randomly and further comprising the step of selecting particular ones of said possible values is performed manually.

12. A method as in claim 4 wherein said at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters comprises a parameter selected from the group consisting of an inter-stimulation interval, amplitude and pulse width.

13. A method of providing neural stimulation having a target to a patient, said target determined, at least in part, said a plurality of stimulation parameters, comprising the steps of:

providing neural stimulation specified by said plurality of stimulation parameters; and

determining a range of at least said one of said plurality of stimulation parameters over which said at least one of said stimulation parameters may be varied, said target occurring within said range;

pseudo-randomly varying at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters within said range in a way that more closely matches said target.

14. A method as in claim 13 wherein said pseudo-randomly varying step comprises the steps of:

generating a finite sequence of possible values of at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters; and

selecting one of said finite sequence of possible values for said neural stimulation.

15. A method as in claim 14 wherein said finite sequence of possible values includes a lowest possible value and a highest possible value and wherein said generating step is performed such that an average of said finite sequence of possible values more closely matches said target than an average value taken of said lowest possible value and said highest possible value.

16. A method as in claim 14 wherein said generating step is performed such that an average of said finite sequence of possible values approximates said target.

17. A method as in claim 16 wherein said generating step is performed such that an average of said finite sequence of possible values matches said target.

18. A method as in claim 14 wherein said selecting step is repeated during a stimulation treatment period.

19. A method as in claim 18 wherein said generating step is performed randomly.

20. A method as in claim 18 wherein said generating step is performed manually.

21. A method as in claim 13 wherein said at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters comprises a parameter selected from the group consisting of an inter-stimulation interval, amplitude and pulse width.

22. A method as in claim 13 wherein said range is determined by establishing a percentage deviation from said target.

23. A method as in claim 22 wherein said percentage deviation below said target differs from said percentage deviation about said target.

24. A method as in claim 13 wherein said range is determined by establishing an amount deviation from said target.

25. A method as in claim 24 wherein said amount deviation below said target differs from said amount deviation above said target.

26. An apparatus for providing neural stimulation having a target to a patient, comprising:

a neural stimulator providing neural stimulation having a plurality of stimulation parameters;

said neural stimulator pseudo-randomly varying at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters;

a monitor for monitoring said neural stimulation delivered to said patient; and

a comparator for comparing said neural stimulation delivered to said patient with said target;

whereby an action may be taken based upon a result from said comparator.

27. An apparatus as in claim 26 wherein at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters is modified in order that said neural stimulation more closely matches said target.

28. An apparatus as in claim 26 further comprising a communicator notifying a user of a result of said result from said comparator.

29. An apparatus for providing neural stimulation having a target to a patient, said target determined, at least in part, by a plurality of stimulation parameters, comprising:

a neural stimulator providing neural stimulation specified by said plurality of stimulation parameters; and

said neural stimulator pseudo-randomly varying at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters in a way to more closely match said target.

30. An apparatus as in claim 29 wherein a finite sequence of values of at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters is generated and one of said finite sequence of values is selected for said neural stimulation.

31. An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein an average of said finite sequence of values more closely matches said target than would occur randomly.

32. An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein an average of said finite sequence of values approximates said target.

33. An apparatus as in claim 32 wherein an average of said finite sequence of values matches said target.

34. An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein one of said finite sequence of values is selected repeatedly during a stimulation period.

35. An apparatus as in claim 34 wherein said finite sequence of values is generated manually.

36. An apparatus as in claim 34 wherein possible values for said values of said sequence of values are generated randomly and wherein particular ones of said possible values are selected manually.

37. An apparatus as in claim 29 wherein said at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters comprises a parameter selected from the group consisting of an inter-stimulation interval, amplitude and pulse width.

38. An apparatus for providing neural stimulation having a target to a patient, said target determined, at least in part, by a plurality of stimulation parameters, comprising:

a neural stimulator providing neural stimulation specified by said plurality of stimulation parameters;

said neural stimulator pseudo-randomly varying at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters in a way to more closely match said target;

wherein a range of at least said one of said plurality of stimulation parameters over said at least one of said stimulation parameters may be varied is determined, said target occurring within said range;

said neural stimulator pseudo-randomly varying at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters in a way to more closely match said target.

39. An apparatus as in claim 38 wherein a finite sequence of values of at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters is generated and one of said finite sequence of values is selected for said neural stimulation.

40. An apparatus as in claim 39 wherein said finite sequence of possible values includes a lowest possible value and a highest possible value and wherein said generating step is performed such that an average of said finite sequence of possible values more closely matches said target than an average value taken of said lowest possible value and said highest possible value.

41. An apparatus as in claim 39 wherein an average of said finite sequence of values approximates said target.

42. An apparatus as in claim 41 wherein an average of said finite sequence of values matches said target.

43. An apparatus as in claim 39 wherein one of said finite sequence of values is selected repeatedly during a stimulation period.

44. An apparatus as in claim 43 wherein said finite sequence of values is generated manually.

45. An apparatus as in claim 43 wherein possible values for said values of said sequence of values are generated randomly.

46. An apparatus as in claim 38 wherein said at least one of said plurality of stimulation parameters comprises a parameter selected from the group consisting of an inter-stimulation interval, amplitude and pulse width.

47. An apparatus as in claim 38 wherein said range is determined by establishing a percentage deviation from said target.

48. An apparatus as in claim 47 wherein said percentage deviation below said target differs from said percentage deviation about said target.

49. An apparatus as in claim 38 wherein said range is determined by establishing an amount deviation from said target.

50. An apparatus as in claim 49 wherein said amount deviation below said target differs from said amount deviation above said target.