IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR HAVING CURRENT STEERING MEANS

• US 20080221637A1
• Filed: 05/13/2008
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Woods, Carla Mann, Meadows, Paul M., Peterson, David K.L., Loeb, Gerald E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,930,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

An implantable pulse generator includes a current steering capability that allows a clinician or patient to quickly determine a desired electrode stimulation pattern, including which electrodes of a group of electrodes within an electrode array should receive a stimulation current, including the amplitude, width and pulse repetition rate of such current. Movement of the selected group of electrodes is facilitated through the use of remotely generated directional signals, generated by a pointing device, such as a joystick. As movement of the selected group of electrodes occurs, current redistribution amongst the various electrode contacts takes place. The redistribution of stimulus amplitudes utilizes re-normalization of amplitudes so that the perceptual level remains fairly constant. This prevents the resulting paresthesia from falling below the perceptual threshold or above the comfort threshold.

Claims

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A programmer for an implantable pulse generator coupled to an array of electrodes, comprising:

a user-controlled input device configured for allowing entry of information defining relative positions of the electrodes and generating steering control signals;

a processor configured for outputting graphical signals for displaying the relative electrode positions based on the entered relative electrode position information, and for shifting stimulus values between the electrodes in response to the control signals;

control circuitry configured for generating programming signals containing the stimulus values; and

a transmitter configured for transmitting the programming signals to the implantable pulse generator.

19. The programmer of claim 18, wherein the user-controlled input device is one or more of a joystick, a button pad, a group of keyboard arrow keys, a touch screen, a mouse, a roller ball tracking device, and horizontal and vertical rocker-type arm switches.

20. The programmer of claim 18, wherein the array of electrodes includes a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, and wherein the processor is configured for gradually shifting the stimulus values from the first electrode group to the second electrode group in response to the control signals.

21. The programmer of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured for gradually shifting the stimulus values between cathodic ones of the electrodes and/or gradually shifting the stimulus values between anodic ones of the electrodes in response to the control signals.

22. The programmer of claim 18, further comprising a monitor for displaying the relative electrode positions in response to the graphical signals and for displaying a representation of the stimulus values adjacent the respective relative electrode positions.

23. The programmer of claim 18, wherein the relative electrode positions represent the positions of the electrodes relative to each other, and the graphical signals are for displaying a representation of the positions of the electrodes relative to each other.

24. The programmer of claim 23, wherein the electrodes are disposed in multiple leads, the relative electrode positions comprise the orientation of the multiple leads relative to each other, and the graphical signals are for displaying a representation of the orientations of the multiple leads relative to each other.

25. The programmer of claim 18, wherein the relative electrode positions represent the positions of the electrodes relative to a spinal cord, and the graphical signals are for displaying a representation of the positions of the electrodes relative to the spinal cord.

26. The programmer of claim 18, wherein the control signals are directional control signals.

27. A tissue stimulation system, comprising:

an implantable array of electrodes;

an external programmer configured for displaying relative positions of the electrodes in response to a user input, and for transmitting programming signals in response to another user input; and

an implantable pulse generator configured for steering stimulation energy between the electrodes in response to the programming signals.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the array of electrodes includes a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, and wherein the implantable pulse generator is configured for gradually steering the stimulation energy from the first electrode group to the second electrode group in response to the programming signals.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the implantable pulse generator is configured for gradually steering the stimulation energy between cathodic ones of the electrodes and/or gradually steering the stimulation energy between anodic ones of the electrodes in response to the programming signals.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the external programmer is configured for displaying the positions of the electrodes relative to each other in response to the user input.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the electrodes are disposed in multiple leads, and the external programmer is configured for displaying the orientation of the multiple leads relative to each other.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the external programmer is configured for displaying the positions of the electrodes relative to a spinal cord in response to the user input.

33. The system of claim 27, wherein the other user input is a directional user input.

34. The system of claim 27, further comprising an imaging system configured for imaging the electrode array when implanted within a patient.

35. A method of programming an implantable pulse generator coupled to array of electrodes implanted within a patient, comprising:

imaging the electrode array within the patient;

displaying relative positions of the electrodes based on the imaged electrode array;

transmitting programming signals to the implantable pulse generator in response to a user input; and

steering stimulation energy between the electrodes in response to the programming signals.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the array of electrodes includes a first group of electrodes and a second group of electrodes, and wherein the stimulation energy is gradually steered from the first electrode group to the second electrode group in response to the programming signals.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the stimulation energy is gradually steered between cathodic ones of the electrodes and/or gradually steered between anodic ones of the electrodes in response to the programming signals.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the positions of the electrodes relative to each other are displayed.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the electrodes are disposed in multiple leads, and the orientation of the multiple leads relative to each other is displayed.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the positions of the electrodes relative to a spinal cord are displayed.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein the user input is a directional user input.