Fractionalized Stimulation Pulses in an Implantable Stimulator Device

• US 20130013025A1
• Filed: 08/27/2012
• Published: 01/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Parramon, Jordi, Carbunaru, Rafael, Haller, Matt I.
• Granted Patent: US 9,289,610 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36171 Frequency
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36175 Pulse width or duty cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36178 Burst or pulse train parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer

Abstract

A method for configuring stimulation pulses in an implantable stimulator device having a plurality of electrodes is disclosed, which method is particularly useful in adjusting the electrodes by current steering during initialization of the device. In one aspect, a set of ideal pulses for patient therapy is determined, in which at least two of the ideal pulses are of the same polarity and are intended to be simultaneous applied to corresponding electrodes on the implantable stimulator device during an initial duration. These pulses are reconstructed into fractionalized pulses, each comprised of pulse portions. The fractionalized pulses are applied to the corresponding electrodes on the device during a final duration, but the pulse portions of the fractionalized pulses are not simultaneously applied during the final duration.

Claims

1. A method for providing stimulation at an electrode of an implantable stimulator device (ISD), comprising:

constructing in the ISD a group of a plurality of pulses, wherein a frequency of the pulses within the group is more than 2000 Hz; and

periodically applying the group of the plurality of pulses to the electrode of the ISD.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein no stimulation is applied to the electrode between the groups of periodically-applied pulses.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pulses within the group has a duty cycle.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the duty cycle is approximately 50%.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode is coupled to the ISD by an electrode lead carrying the electrode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode lead is configured to be positioned along a patient'"'"'s spinal cord.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a period of the pulses within the group is lower than a time period at which nerves can respond to electrical stimulation.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the pulses within the group is more than 10000 Hz.

9. A method for treating a patient, comprising:

implanting an implantable stimulator device (ISD) including an electrode lead in a patient, wherein the electrode lead is positioned along a patient'"'"'s spinal cord;

periodically delivering from the ISD a group of a plurality of pulses, wherein a frequency of the pulses within each group is more than 2000 Hz.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of pulses within each group has a duty cycle.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the duty cycle is approximately 50%.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein a period of the pulses within each group is lower than a time period at which nerves can respond to electrical stimulation.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the frequency of the pulses within each group is more than 10000 Hz.

14. An implantable stimulator device (ISD), comprising:

logic programmed to periodically issue a group of a plurality of pulses, wherein the groups are issued at a first frequency, wherein a second frequency of the pulses within each group is more than 2000 Hz; and

an electrode configured to receive the groups of the plurality of pulses.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the logic is programmed to issue no pulses between the groups of periodically-applied pulses.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of pulses within each group has a duty cycle.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the duty cycle is approximately 50%.

18. The device of claim 14, further comprising an electrode lead, wherein the electrode is coupled to the ISD by an electrode lead carrying the electrode.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein a period of the pulses within each group is lower than a time period at which nerves can respond to electrical stimulation.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein the second frequency of the pulses within each group is more than 10000 Hz.