Systems and methods for automatically optimizing stimulus parameters and electrode configurations for neuro-stimulators
First Claim
1. In a computer, a method of automatically determining a favorable neuro-stimulation program for a patient, comprising:
- applying an electrical stimulus having a plurality of stimulus parameters to a selected configuration of therapy electrodes that have been installed at a target therapy site of the central nervous system of a patient wherein applying an electrical stimulus includes applying an electrical stimulus at a sub-threshold level;
sensing a response to the applied electrical stimulus at a sensing device that has been installed at a sense location of the patient;
determining whether the response is within a desired range or an improvement over a previous sensed response from a different electrical stimulus and/or a different configuration of therapy electrodes;
selecting an alternate configuration of therapy electrodes and/or an alternate electrical stimulus, wherein the selecting procedure comprises computing an alternate stimulus parameter while maintaining a constant electrode configuration, and wherein computing the alternate stimulus parameter comprises correlating a plurality of different stimuli applied to the constant electrode configuration with corresponding sensed responses to determine a stimulus/response trend and estimating a new stimulus parameter that is expected to improve the efficacy according to the stimulus/response trend;
repeating the applying, sensing and determining procedures using the alternate configuration of therapy electrodes and/or the alternate electrical stimulus; and
choosing a configuration of therapy electrodes and/or an electrical stimulus corresponding to a sensed response that is within a desired range and/or provides a better result compared to other sensed responses.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient. In one embodiment, a system includes an electrode array having an implantable support member configured to be implanted into a patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member. The system can also have a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes to deliver a stimulus to the therapy electrodes, and a sensing device configured to be attached to a sensing location of the patient. The sensing device generates response signals in response to the stimulus. The system can also include a controller operatively coupled to the pulse system and to the sensing device. The controller includes a computer operable medium that generates command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system, evaluates the response signals from the sensing device, and determines a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. In a computer, a method of automatically determining a favorable neuro-stimulation program for a patient, comprising:
-
applying an electrical stimulus having a plurality of stimulus parameters to a selected configuration of therapy electrodes that have been installed at a target therapy site of the central nervous system of a patient wherein applying an electrical stimulus includes applying an electrical stimulus at a sub-threshold level; sensing a response to the applied electrical stimulus at a sensing device that has been installed at a sense location of the patient; determining whether the response is within a desired range or an improvement over a previous sensed response from a different electrical stimulus and/or a different configuration of therapy electrodes; selecting an alternate configuration of therapy electrodes and/or an alternate electrical stimulus, wherein the selecting procedure comprises computing an alternate stimulus parameter while maintaining a constant electrode configuration, and wherein computing the alternate stimulus parameter comprises correlating a plurality of different stimuli applied to the constant electrode configuration with corresponding sensed responses to determine a stimulus/response trend and estimating a new stimulus parameter that is expected to improve the efficacy according to the stimulus/response trend; repeating the applying, sensing and determining procedures using the alternate configuration of therapy electrodes and/or the alternate electrical stimulus; and choosing a configuration of therapy electrodes and/or an electrical stimulus corresponding to a sensed response that is within a desired range and/or provides a better result compared to other sensed responses. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. In a computer, a method of automatically determining a favorable neuro-stimulation program for a patient, comprising:
-
applying an electrical stimulus having a plurality of stimulus parameters to a selected configuration of therapy electrodes that have been installed at a target therapy site of the central nervous system of a patient wherein applying an electrical stimulus includes applying an electrical stimulus at a sub-threshold level; sensing a response to the applied electrical stimulus at a sensing device that has been installed at a sense location of the patient; determining whether the response is within a desired range or an improvement over a previous sensed response from a different configuration of therapy electrodes; selecting an alternate configuration of therapy electrodes, wherein the selecting procedure comprises computing an alternate electrode configuration for use with the chosen electrical stimulus, and wherein computing the alternate electrode configuration comprises correlating a plurality of sensed responses with corresponding electrode configurations to determine an electrode-configuration/response trend and estimating a new electrode configuration that is expected to improve the efficacy according to the electrode-configuration/response trend; repeating the applying, sensing and determining procedures using the alternate configuration of therapy electrodes; and choosing a configuration of therapy electrodes corresponding to a sensed response that is within a desired range and/or provides a better result compared to other sensed responses. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
Specification