SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING FLUID REAL-TIME VISUALIZATION OF REGION OF TISSUE ACTIVATION

• US 20120109257A1
• Filed: 09/24/2011
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Moffitt, Michael A., Bradley, Kerry, Yoo, Peter J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,855,432 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36135 using physiological parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means

Abstract

A system for a tissue stimulator coupled to an array of electrodes. The system comprises a user-controlled input device configured for generating control signals, and at least one processor configured for generating a plurality of stimulation parameter sets in response to the control signals that, when applied to the electrodes, will shift electrical current between electrodes to modify a region of tissue activation. The processor(s) is further configured for computing an estimate of the region of tissue activation, and for generating display signals capable of prompting a monitor to display an animated graphical representation of the computed estimate of the region of tissue activation.

Claims

1. A system for an electrical tissue stimulator coupled to an array of electrodes, comprising:

a user-controlled input device configured for generating control signals; and

at least one processor configured for generating a plurality of stimulation parameter sets in response to the control signals that, when applied to the electrodes, will shift electrical current between the electrodes to modify a region of tissue activation, the at least one processor further configured for computing an estimate of the region of tissue activation, and for generating display signals capable of prompting a monitor to display an animated graphical representation of the computed estimate of the region of tissue activation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the user-control input device includes a control element, a continual actuation of which generates the control signals,

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control signals are directional control signals.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the user-controlled input device comprises one or more of a graphical arrow, a joystick, a touchpad, a button pad, a group of keyboard arrow keys, a mouse, a roller ball tracking device, and horizontal and vertical rocker-type arm switches for generating the directional control signals.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a shape of the animated graphical representation changes.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein a locus position of the animated graphical representation changes.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a size of the animated graphical representation changes.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein a shade of the animated graphical representation changes.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein a transparency of the animated graphical representation changes.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein a color of the animated graphical representation changes.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the animated graphical representation is displayed as being three-dimensional.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical current is cathodic electrical current.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the array of electrodes is a one-dimensional array of electrodes, and the at least one processor is configured for generating the plurality of stimulation parameter sets in response to the control signals that, when applied to the electrodes, will shift the electrical current in one dimension.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the array of electrodes is a two-dimensional array of electrodes, and the at least one processor is configured for generating the plurality of stimulation parameter sets in response to the control signals that, when applied to the electrodes, will shift the electrical current in two dimensions.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the array of electrodes is a three-dimensional array of electrodes, and the at least one processor is configured for generating the plurality of stimulation parameter sets in response to the control signals that, when applied to the electrodes, will shift the electrical current in three dimensions.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising telemetry circuitry, wherein the at least one processor is further configured for programming at least one of the neurostimulation parameter sets via the telemetry circuitry.