SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING A DISTRIBUTION OF CURRENTS IN AN ELECTRODE ARRAY USING INDEPENDENT VOLTAGE SOURCES
First Claim
1. A method of performing a medical procedure using a plurality of electrodes implanted within tissue of a patient, comprising:
- selecting a desired electrical current distribution on at least three active ones of the plurality of electrodes;
generating an electrical energy perturbation on at least one of the plurality of electrodes;
estimating a current-to-voltage relationship at each of the active electrodes based on the generated electrical energy perturbation, wherein the current-to-voltage relationship for each of the active electrodes takes into account electrical current flow through others of the active electrodes;
determining an electrical voltage distribution on the active electrodes necessary to achieve the desired electrical current distribution on the active electrodes, wherein the electrical voltage distribution is based on the estimated current-to-voltage relationship; and
conveying voltage-regulated electrical energy between the active electrodes and the tissue in accordance with the determined electrical voltage distribution.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one technique, a desired electrical current distribution on at least three active electrodes is selected. An electrical energy perturbation is generated on at least one electrode. A current-to-voltage relationship at each active electrode is estimated based on the energy perturbation. The current-to-voltage relationship for each active electrode takes into account current flow through other active electrodes. The voltage distribution necessary to achieve the desired current distribution is determined based on the estimated current-to-voltage relationship. Voltage-regulated energy is conveyed between the electrodes and tissue in accordance with the determined electrical voltage distribution. In another technique, an electrical energy perturbation on at least one of the electrodes is generated. Network resistances for each of at least three active electrodes are computed in response to the energy perturbation. The network resistances represent the resistances between the electrodes and common node to which the electrodes are connected.
-
Citations
37 Claims
-
1. A method of performing a medical procedure using a plurality of electrodes implanted within tissue of a patient, comprising:
-
selecting a desired electrical current distribution on at least three active ones of the plurality of electrodes; generating an electrical energy perturbation on at least one of the plurality of electrodes; estimating a current-to-voltage relationship at each of the active electrodes based on the generated electrical energy perturbation, wherein the current-to-voltage relationship for each of the active electrodes takes into account electrical current flow through others of the active electrodes; determining an electrical voltage distribution on the active electrodes necessary to achieve the desired electrical current distribution on the active electrodes, wherein the electrical voltage distribution is based on the estimated current-to-voltage relationship; and conveying voltage-regulated electrical energy between the active electrodes and the tissue in accordance with the determined electrical voltage distribution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A neurostimulation system, comprising:
-
a plurality of electrodes configured for being placed in contact with tissue; analog output circuitry configured generating an electrical energy perturbation on at least one of the plurality of electrodes; and processing circuitry configured for selecting a desired electrical current distribution on at least three active ones of the plurality of electrodes, estimating a current-to-voltage relationship at each of the active electrodes based on the generated electrical energy perturbation, and determining an electrical voltage distribution on the active electrodes necessary to achieve the desired electrical current distribution on the active electrodes, wherein the electrical voltage distribution is based on the estimated current-to-voltage relationship, wherein the current-to-voltage relationship for each of the active electrodes takes into account electrical current flow through others of the active electrodes, and wherein the analog output circuitry is configured for conveying voltage-regulated electrical energy between the active electrodes and the tissue in accordance with the determined electrical voltage distribution. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
-
37-61. -61. (canceled)
Specification