Power qualifier for electrical stimulation configurations

• US 7,363,079 B1
• Filed: 09/25/2003
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Bradley, Kerry, Thacker, James R
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORALES, JON ERIC C
• Application Number:
  US10/672,660
• Time in Patent Office: 1,671 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 607/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply

Abstract

At least one system and at least one method permit a clinician to view or hear power consumption data during a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system fitting procedure. For example, a clinician'"'"'s programming computer includes a display of power consumption for each effective stimulation configuration under evaluation during fitting. A clinician performing the fitting procedure uses a programming computer to select various stimulation configurations. The power consumption of the SCS configuration(s) presently and/or previously exercised is displayed for the clinician. By comparing the power consumption for each configuration, the clinician may select a configuration consuming less power while providing effective therapy. Suggestions for low power configurations may be provided by the programming computer.

Claims

1. A method for determining a low power consumption stimulation parameter set for stimulating a patient, comprising:

(a) obtaining a stimulation parameter set;

(b) providing stimulation to a selected region of a spinal cord in accordance with the stimulation parameter set;

(c) obtaining a level of power consumption of the stimulation parameter set;

(d) associating the level of power consumption with the stimulation parameter set;

(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for each of a plurality of different stimulation parameter sets, wherein at least some of the different stimulation parameter sets have different electrode configurations; and

(f) determining the low power consumption stimulation parameter set based, at least in part, on the levels of power consumption respectively associated with the different stimulation parameter sets.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the stimulation parameter set comprises:

selecting one of a multiple of stimulation parameter sets;

adjusting the stimulation level of the one stimulation parameter set to find an adequate stimulation level for achieving sensory paresthesia.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the level of power consumption comprises computing a value of the power consumption.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the low power consumption stimulation parameter set is selected from the different stimulation parameter sets.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising displaying representations of the different stimulation parameter sets and associated levels of power consumption to a user, wherein the user selects the low power consumption stimulation parameter set from the displayed stimulation parameter set representations.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising programming the low power consumption stimulation parameter set into a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) implantable pulse generator (IPG).

7. A system for determining a low power consumption stimulation parameter set for stimulating a patient, comprising:

an electrical pulse generator configured for providing stimulation to a selected region of the spinal cord in accordance with a plurality of different stimulation parameter sets, wherein at least some of the different stimulation parameter sets have different electrode configurations; and

a programming device configured for associating levels of power consumption respectively with the different stimulation parameter sets, and determining the low power consumption stimulation parameter set based, at least in part, on the levels of power consumption respectively associated with the different stimulation parameter sets.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) electrode lead coupled to the electrical pulse generator.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the electrical pulse generator is an external trial stimulator (ETS).

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the programming device is further configured for allowing a user to adjust the stimulation levels of stimulation parameter sets to find adequate stimulation levels achieving sensory paresthesia for the different stimulation parameter sets.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein the programming device is further configured for computing the values of power consumption, respectively associating the computed values of power consumption with the different stimulation parameter sets, and determining the low power consumption stimulation parameter set based, at least in part, on the values of power consumption respectively associated with the different stimulation parameter sets.

12. The system of claim 7 further comprising a user interface configured for allowing a user to select the low power consumption stimulation parameter set from the different stimulation parameter sets.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the user interface is further configured for displaying representations of the different stimulation parameter sets and associated levels of power consumption to a user.

14. The system of claim 7 further comprising a lead carrying a plurality of electrodes configured for being placed along the spinal cord, wherein the electrical pulse generator mated with the lead and is configured for providing stimulation to the selected region of the spinal cord via the electrodes in accordance with the different stimulation parameter sets.

15. The system of claim 7 wherein the programming device is configured for programming the low power consumption stimulation parameter set into a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) implantable pulse generator (IPG).

16. A method for determining a low power consumption stimulation parameter set for stimulating a patient, comprising:

(a) obtaining a stimulation parameter set;

(b) providing stimulation to the patient in accordance with the stimulation parameter set;

(c) obtaining a level of power consumption of the stimulation parameter set;

(d) associating the level of power consumption with the stimulation parameter set;

(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for each of a plurality of different stimulation parameter sets, wherein at least some of the different stimulation parameter sets have different electrode configurations; and

(f) determining the low power consumption stimulation parameter set based, at least in part, on the levels of power consumption respectively associated with the different stimulation parameter sets.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein each of the different electrode configurations comprises a location of a specific polarity of the electrodes.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein obtaining the stimulation parameter set comprises:

selecting one of a multiple of stimulation parameter sets;

adjusting the stimulation level of the one stimulation parameter set to find an adequate stimulation level for achieving effective stimulation.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein obtaining the level of power consumption comprises computing a value of the power consumption.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the low power consumption stimulation parameter set is selected from the different stimulation parameter sets.

21. The method of claim 16 further comprising displaying representations of the different stimulation parameter sets and associated levels of power consumption to a user, wherein the user selects the low power consumption stimulation parameter set from the displayed stimulation parameter set representations.

22. The method of claim 16 further comprising programming the low power consumption stimulation parameter set into an implantable pulse generator (IPG).

23. A system for determining a low power consumption stimulation parameter set for stimulating a patient, comprising:

an electrical pulse generator configured for providing stimulation to the patient in accordance with a plurality of different stimulation parameter sets, wherein at least some of the different stimulation parameter sets have different electrode configurations; and

a programming device configured for associating levels of power consumption respectively with the different stimulation parameter sets, and determining the low power consumption stimulation parameter set based, at least in part, on the levels of power consumption respectively associated with the different stimulation parameter sets.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising an electrode lead coupled to the electrical pulse generator.

25. The system of claim 23 wherein the electrical pulse generator is an external trial stimulator (ETS).

26. The system of claim 23 wherein the electrical pulse generator comprises a joystick configured for allowing a user to adjust the stimulation levels of stimulation parameter sets to find adequate stimulation levels achieving sensory paresthesia for the different stimulation parameter sets.

27. The system of claim 23 wherein the programming device is further configured for computing the values of power consumption, respectively associating the computed values of power consumption with the different stimulation parameter sets, and determining the low power consumption stimulation parameter set based, at least in part, on the values of power consumption respectively associated with the different stimulation parameter sets.

28. The system of claim 23 further comprising a user interface configured for allowing a user to select the low power consumption stimulation parameter set from the different stimulation parameter sets.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the user interface is further configured for displaying representations of the different stimulation parameter sets and associated levels of power consumption to a user.

30. The system of claim 23 wherein at least some of the different stimulation parameter sets have different electrode configurations.

31. The system of claim 23 wherein the programming device is configured for programming the low power consumption stimulation parameter set into an implantable pulse generator (IPG).