Directional programming for implantable electrode arrays
First Claim
1. A spinal cord stimulator system (10) comprising:
- an array of electrodes (23) implantable in a patient adjacent a spinal cord;
a pulse generator (20) having programmable memory (67) that is capable of receiving remotely generated programming signals for altering the programmable memory for selectively applying electrical stimulation to at least two electrodes within the electrode array;
a directional device (12) that generates directional signals when maneuvered by an operator; and
programming means (50, 52, 54,
56) responsive to the directional signals for selecting a group (45) of electrodes within the array of electrodes which are to be electrically stimulated, and transmitting the selection to the programmable memory of the pulse generator, wherein electrical stimulation currents flowing between electrodes within the group of electrodes are steered to cause a stimulation area (36) adjacent the array of electrodes to move in response to the directional signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A programming system and method for use with an implantable tissue stimulator allows a clinician or patient to quickly determine a desired electrode stimulation pattern, including which electrodes of a multiplicity of electrodes in an electrode array should receive a stimulation current, including the amplitude, width and pulse repetition rate of such current. Such system and method allows the clinician or user to readily select and visualize a particular group of electrodes of the electrode array by displaying a visual image of the array, and then allows selection of a group of electrodes in the array, as well as the ability to move the selected group or change the size of the selected group, while applying a stimulation pulse current having a selected amplitude, width and pulse repetition rate, to the group of electrodes. Movement of the selected group of electrodes is facilitated through the use of a directional pointing device, such as a joystick. Through use of the programming system, the clinician or patient is able to select for stimulation only those electrodes which prove most effective for a desired purpose, e.g., pain relief, to best meet the needs of a particular patient.
609 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A spinal cord stimulator system (10) comprising:
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an array of electrodes (23) implantable in a patient adjacent a spinal cord; a pulse generator (20) having programmable memory (67) that is capable of receiving remotely generated programming signals for altering the programmable memory for selectively applying electrical stimulation to at least two electrodes within the electrode array; a directional device (12) that generates directional signals when maneuvered by an operator; and programming means (50, 52, 54,
56) responsive to the directional signals for selecting a group (45) of electrodes within the array of electrodes which are to be electrically stimulated, and transmitting the selection to the programmable memory of the pulse generator, wherein electrical stimulation currents flowing between electrodes within the group of electrodes are steered to cause a stimulation area (36) adjacent the array of electrodes to move in response to the directional signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Programming apparatus for use with an implantable tissue stimulator, the implantable tissue stimulator having a multiplicity of electrodes within an electrode array, and means for applying a stimulation current to selected ones of the multiplicity of electrodes in response to command signals, the programming apparatus comprising:
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a selection device for defining a selected group of electrodes within the electrode array, said selection device including directional means for defining directional signals as defined by an operator, programming means responsive to the directional signals for defining a location of the group of electrodes within the electrode array, and sizing means for defining the number of electrodes included within the group of electrodes; and processing means for generating command signals to be sent to the implantable tissue stimulator that cause the implantable tissue stimulator to apply stimulation current to the electrodes in the selected group of electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Programming apparatus for use with an implantable tissue stimulator, the implantable tissue stimulator having a multiplicity of electrodes within an electrode array, a first memory for storing stimulation parameter data, and means for applying a stimulation current to selected ones of the multiplicity of electrodes in response to the stimulation parameter data stored in the first memory, the programming apparatus comprising:
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a second memory for storing data of the electrode array; a selection device that defines a selected group of electrodes within the electrode array, said selection device including directional means for moving the location of the selected group of electrodes within the electrode data stored in the second memory, and sizing means for defining the size of the selected group of electrodes within the electrode data stored in the second memory; and processing means for generating stimulation parameter data to be sent to the implantable tissue stimulator and stored in the first memory that cause the implantable tissue stimulator to apply stimulation current to the electrodes in the selected group of electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A programming system comprising a tissue stimulator and a programmer,
wherein the tissue stimulator comprises an array of electrodes including a multiplicity of electrodes, a pulse generator, programming means for programming the pulse generator to provide a stimulation current having selected stimulation parameters to a selected group of electrodes within the array of electrodes, a first memory for storing control data that defines the selected group of electrodes and stimulation parameters that define the stimulation current, and processing/control means for applying the defined stimulation current to only those electrodes that are in the selected group of electrodes; - and
wherein the programmer comprises means for generating the control data and sending it to the first memory;
a second memory for storing location data of the electrode array;
selection means for;
(a) defining a selected group of electrodes within the electrode array, (b) altering the location of the selected group of electrodes using a maneuverable pointing tool, (c) defining the number of electrodes within the selected group of electrodes;
processing means for generating control data that, when stored in the first memory of the tissue stimulator, causes the tissue stimulator to apply stimulation current to the electrodes in the selected group of electrodes, and transmission means for transmitting the control data to the first memory of the implantable tissue stimulator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of programming a tissue stimulator, the tissue stimulator having a multiplicity of electrodes within an electrode array, and means for applying a stimulation current between selected ones of the multiplicity of electrodes in response to a command signal, the method comprising:
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selecting a group of electrodes within the electrode array by defining the number of electrodes within the selected group of electrodes, defining the location of the electrodes within the selected group of electrodes, defining the spacing between the electrodes within the selected group of electrodes, and assigning a polarity to each of the electrodes within the selected group of electrodes; automatically generating a command signal that identifies the selected group of electrodes; and transmitting the command signal to the tissue stimulator. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification