SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROGRAMMING AN IMPLANTABLE SPINAL CORD STIMULATION SYSTEM

• US 20100305660A1
• Filed: 05/28/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Hegi, Peter B., Ruais, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 8,463,400 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method for facilitating programming of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) by an external programming device, the method comprises: receiving input from a user by the external programming device to calibrate electrode combinations at a plurality of locations along one or more stimulation leads implanted within the epidural space of a patient; controlling the IPG by the external programmer to apply stimulation to the patient via the electrode combinations; receiving input from a user by the external programming device that indicates values of a respective perception stimulation threshold at each location of the plurality of locations; receiving input from a user by the external programming device that indicates values of a respective bilateral stimulation threshold at each location of the plurality of locations; calculating positions by the external programming device of each of the plurality of locations using the perception stimulation thresholds and the bilateral stimulation thresholds; and displaying calculated positions of the plurality of locations relative to a physiological midline of the patient by the external programming device.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating programming of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) by an external programming device, the method comprising:

receiving input from a user by the external programming device to program electrode combinations at a plurality of locations along one or more stimulation leads implanted within the epidural space of a patient;

controlling the IPG by the external programmer to apply stimulation to the patient via the electrode combinations;

receiving input from a user by the external programming device that indicates values of a respective perception stimulation threshold at each location of the plurality of locations;

receiving input from a user by the external programming device that indicates values of a respective bilateral stimulation threshold at each location of the plurality of locations;

calculating positions by the external programming device of each of the plurality of locations using the perception stimulation thresholds and the bilateral stimulation thresholds; and

displaying calculated positions of the plurality of locations relative to a physiological midline of the patient'"'"'s spinal cord by the external programming device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more stimulation leads comprises two percutaneous stimulation leads implanted bilaterally in the epidural space of the patent.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of locations comprises a distal electrode location and a proximal electrode location on each of the two percutaneous stimulation leads.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more leads comprises a paddle-style stimulation lead.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the calculating comprises calculating a ratio between a respective bilateral stimulation threshold and a corresponding perception stimulation threshold.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the external programming device provides one or more graphical user interface screens for entry of data to define the respective perception and bilateral threshold values.

7. A method for facilitating programming of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) by an external programming device, the method comprising:

receiving input from a user by the external programming device to apply stimulation using electrode combinations at a plurality of locations along one or more stimulation leads implanted within the epidural space of a patient;

controlling the IPG by the external programming device to apply stimulation to the patient via the electrode combinations;

receiving input from a user by the external programming device that is indicative of bodily sub-regions in which a stimulation response is experienced by the patient in response to stimulation via the electrode combinations;

calculating positions by the external programming device of each of the plurality of locations using the received input by comparing stimulation response sub-regions on a left side of the patient relative to stimulation response sub-regions on a right side of the patient; and

displaying calculated positions of the plurality of locations relative to a physiological midline of the patient'"'"'s spinal cord by the external programming device.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the receiving input comprises:

receiving input indicative of paresthesia strength within respective bodily sub-regions.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the calculating weights sub-regions according to paresthesia strength for a plurality of non-zero paresthesia levels as indicated by the received input.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the one or more stimulation leads comprises two percutaneous stimulation leads implanted bilaterally in the epidural space of the patent.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the plurality of locations comprises a distal electrode location and a proximal electrode location on each of the two percutaneous stimulation leads.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the one or more stimulation leads comprises a paddle-style stimulation lead.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein the calculating comprises calculating a ratio between bodily sub-regions affected on a left side of the patient to bodily sub-regions affected on a right-side of the patient.

14. The method of claim 7 wherein the input received by the external programmer that is indicative of bodily sub-regions is electromyogram (EMG) data.