Programming therapy delivered by implantable medical device

• US 8,352,039 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Davis, Jon P., Goetz, Steven M., Torgerson, Nathan A., Dewing, Wende L., Singal, Ashish, Davenport, Lynn A., Sahasrabudhe, Rajeev M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Manuel, George
• Application Number:
  US12/985,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20110172737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 607/59
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

This disclosure describes techniques for programming stimulation therapy programs according to therapy targets (e.g., symptoms or areas of pain) in a patient to which they are applied. Several programs can be programmed for each therapy target, stored on an implantable medical device, and retrieved later by a programmer to modify, edit, delete, create, and/or select a therapy program for each of the therapy targets. Each therapy target is independent from the other therapy targets, and a user can select or change a program under one therapy target without affecting programs under the other therapy targets. During programming, a user can specify parameters for each program applicable to only that program, and can specify parameters for each therapy target applicable to every program associated with that therapy target. The organization of programs into slots and the selection of a program in each slot may be manual or automated.

Claims

1. A method comprising, with one or more processors:

selecting a set of active therapy programs by at least;

selecting a first active therapy program of a first plurality of therapy programs for a first slot, wherein the first slot and the first plurality of therapy programs are associated with a first therapy target in a patient, and wherein the first plurality of therapy programs comprises the first active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the first slot, and

selecting a second active therapy program of a second plurality of therapy programs for a second slot, wherein the second slot and the second plurality of therapy programs are associated with a second therapy target in a patient, and wherein the second plurality of therapy programs comprises the second active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the second slot,

wherein selecting the first active therapy program comprises selecting the first active therapy program independently of selecting the second active therapy program, wherein the set of active therapy programs comprises the first active therapy program and the second active therapy program, and wherein the set of active therapy programs are configured to be applied to the patient; and

defining a first slot parameter for the first slot and a second slot parameter for the second slot, wherein the first slot parameter is applicable to each of the first plurality of therapy programs and the second slot parameter is applicable to each of the second plurality of therapy programs.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, with the one or more processors, organizing a plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs into a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots is associated with a therapy target in the patient and wherein at least two therapy programs of the plurality of therapy programs are associated with each of the plurality of slots, wherein the plurality of therapy programs comprises the first plurality of therapy programs and the second plurality of therapy programs.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving user input, via a user interface, wherein organizing the plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs into the plurality of slots comprises organizing the plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs into the plurality of slots based on the user input.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transferring, with the one or more processors, a plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs from a device, wherein the plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs are organized into a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots is associated with a therapy target in the patient and wherein at least two therapy programs of the plurality of therapy programs are associated with each of the plurality of slots, wherein the plurality of therapy programs comprises the first plurality of therapy programs and the second plurality of therapy programs.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing, via a posture state module, a posture state of the patient, wherein selecting the first active therapy program comprises selecting the first active therapy program based on the posture state of the patient.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying, via a user interface, a pain map of the patient and a paresthesia map associated with at least one therapy program of the first plurality of therapy programs, wherein displaying the pain map and the paresthesia map comprises overlaying the pain map and the paresthesia map.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first active therapy program and the at least one alternative therapy program for the first slot are defined based on at least one of posture, amount of activity of the patient, or intensity of symptoms of the patient.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first slot parameter defines at least one of a posture parameter, a cycling parameter, a rate ratio parameter, or a STIM activation parameter.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the set of active therapy programs further comprises:

selecting a third active therapy program of a third plurality of therapy programs for a third slot, wherein the third slot and the third plurality of therapy programs are associated with a third therapy target in a patient, and wherein the third plurality of therapy programs comprises the third active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the third slot, and

selecting a fourth active therapy program of a fourth plurality of therapy programs for a fourth slot, wherein the fourth slot and the fourth plurality of therapy programs are associated with a fourth therapy target in a patient, and wherein the fourth plurality of therapy programs comprises the fourth active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the fourth slot,

wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth therapy targets defines a different target region of the patient.

10. A system comprising:

one or more processors configured to;

select a set of active therapy programs by at least;

selecting a first active therapy program of a first plurality of therapy programs for a first slot, wherein the first slot and the first plurality of therapy programs are associated with a first therapy target in a patient, and wherein the first plurality of therapy programs comprises the first active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the first slot, and

selecting a second active therapy program of a second plurality of therapy programs for a second slot, wherein the second slot and the second plurality of therapy programs are associated with a second therapy target in a patient, and

wherein the second plurality of therapy programs comprises the second active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the second slot, wherein the one or more processors is configured to select the first active therapy program independently of selecting the second active therapy program, wherein the set of active therapy programs comprises the first active therapy program and the second active therapy program, and wherein the set of active therapy programs are configured to be applied to the patient; and

define a first slot parameter for the first slot and a second slot parameter for the second slot, wherein the first slot parameter is applicable to each of the first plurality of therapy programs and the second slot parameter is applicable to each of the second plurality of therapy programs.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to organize a plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs into a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots is associated with a therapy target in the patient and wherein at least two therapy programs of the plurality of therapy programs are associated with each of the plurality of slots, wherein the plurality of therapy programs comprises the first plurality of therapy programs and the second plurality of therapy programs.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a user interface configured to receive user input, wherein the one or more processors are configured to organize the plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs into the plurality of slots based on the user input.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transfer a plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs from a device, wherein the plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs are organized into a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots is associated with a therapy target in the patient and wherein at least two therapy programs of the plurality of therapy programs are associated with each of the plurality of slots, wherein the plurality of therapy programs comprises the first plurality of therapy programs and the second plurality of therapy programs.

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising a posture state module configured to sense a posture state of the patient, wherein the one or more processors are configured to select the first active therapy program based on the posture state of the patient.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a user interface configured to display a pain map of the patient and a paresthesia map associated with at least one therapy program of the first plurality of therapy programs, wherein the user interface is configured to display the pain map and the paresthesia map by at least overlaying the pain map and the paresthesia map.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the first active therapy program and the at least one alternative therapy program for the first slot are defined based on at least one of posture, amount of activity of the patient, or intensity of symptoms of the patient.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the first slot parameter defines at least one of a posture parameter, a cycling parameter, a rate ratio parameter, or a STIM activation parameter.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are configured to select the set of active therapy programs by at least:

selecting a third active therapy program of a third plurality of therapy programs for a third slot, wherein the third slot and the third plurality of therapy programs are associated with a third therapy target in a patient, and wherein the third plurality of therapy programs comprises the third active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the third slot, and

selecting a fourth active therapy program of a fourth plurality of therapy programs for a fourth slot, wherein the fourth slot and the fourth plurality of therapy programs are associated with a fourth therapy target in a patient, and wherein the fourth plurality of therapy programs comprises the fourth active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the fourth slot,

wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth therapy targets defines a different target region of the patient.

19. The system of claim 10, further comprising an external programmer comprising the one or more processors.

20. The system of claim 10, further comprising an implantable electrical stimulator comprising the one or more processors.

21. A system comprising:

means for selecting a set of active therapy programs by at least;

selecting a first active therapy program of a first plurality of therapy programs for a first slot, wherein the first slot and the first plurality of therapy programs are associated with a first therapy target in a patient, and wherein the first plurality of therapy programs comprises the first active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the first slot, and

selecting a second active therapy program of a second plurality of therapy programs for a second slot, wherein the second slot and the second plurality of therapy programs are associated with a second therapy target in a patient, and wherein the second plurality of therapy programs comprises the second active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the second slot,

wherein the means for selecting selects the first active therapy program independently of selecting the second active therapy program, wherein the set of active therapy programs comprises the first active therapy program and the second active therapy program, and wherein the set of active therapy programs are configured to be applied to the patient; and

means for defining a first slot parameter for the first slot and a second slot parameter for the second slot, wherein the first slot parameter is applicable to each of the first plurality of therapy programs and the second slot parameter is applicable to each of the second plurality of therapy programs.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising means for organizing a plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs into a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots is associated with a therapy target in the patient and wherein at least two therapy programs of the plurality of therapy programs are associated with each of the plurality of slots, wherein the plurality of therapy programs comprises the first plurality of therapy programs and the second plurality of therapy programs.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising means for receiving user input, wherein the means for organizing organizes the plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs into the plurality of slots based on the user input.

24. The system of claim 21, further comprising means for transferring a plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs from a device, wherein the plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs are organized into a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots is associated with a therapy target in the patient and wherein at least two therapy programs of the plurality of therapy programs are associated with each of the plurality of slots, wherein the plurality of therapy programs comprises the first plurality of therapy programs and the second plurality of therapy programs.

25. The system of claim 21, further comprising means for sensing a posture state of the patient, wherein the means for selecting selects the first active therapy program based on the posture state of the patient.

26. The system of claim 21, further comprising means for displaying a pain map of the patient and a paresthesia map associated with at least one therapy program of the first plurality of therapy programs, wherein the means for displaying displays the pain map and the paresthesia map by at least overlaying the pain map and the paresthesia map.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the first active therapy program and the at least one alternative therapy program for the first slot are defined based on at least one of posture, amount of activity of the patient, or intensity of symptoms of the patient.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein the first slot parameter defines at least one of a posture parameter, a cycling parameter, a rate ratio parameter, or a STIM activation parameter.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein the means for selecting a set of active therapy programs selects the set of active therapy programs by at least:

selecting a third active therapy program of a third plurality of therapy programs for a third slot, wherein the third slot and the third plurality of therapy programs are associated with a third therapy target in a patient, and wherein the third plurality of therapy programs comprises the third active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the third slot; and

selecting a fourth active therapy program of a fourth plurality of therapy programs for a fourth slot, wherein the fourth slot and the fourth plurality of therapy programs are associated with a fourth therapy target in a patient, and wherein the fourth plurality of therapy programs comprises the fourth active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the fourth slot,

wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth therapy targets defines a different target region of the patient.

30. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that cause a programmable processor to:

select a set of active therapy programs by at least;

selecting a first active therapy program of a first plurality of therapy programs for a first slot, wherein the first slot and the first plurality of therapy programs are associated with a first therapy target in a patient, and wherein the first plurality of therapy programs comprises the first active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the first slot, and

selecting a second active therapy program of a second plurality of therapy programs for a second slot, wherein the second slot and the second plurality of therapy programs are associated with a second therapy target in a patient, and wherein the second plurality of therapy programs comprises the second active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the second slot,

wherein the instructions cause the programmable processor to select the first active therapy program independently of selecting the second active therapy program, wherein the set of active therapy programs comprises the first active therapy program and the second active therapy program, and wherein the set of active therapy programs are configured to be applied to the patient; and

define a first slot parameter for the first slot and a second slot parameter for the second slot, wherein the first slot parameter is applicable to each of the first plurality of therapy programs and the second slot parameter is applicable to each of the second plurality of therapy programs.

31. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, further comprising instructions that cause the programmable processor to organize a plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs into a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots is associated with a therapy target in the patient and wherein at least two therapy programs of the plurality of therapy programs are associated with each of the plurality of slots, wherein the plurality of therapy programs comprises the first plurality of therapy programs and the second plurality of therapy programs.

32. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions cause the programmable processor to organize the plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs into the plurality of slots based on user input.

33. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, further comprising instructions that cause the programmable processor to transfer a plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs from a device, wherein the plurality of electrical stimulation therapy programs are organized into a plurality of slots, wherein each of the plurality of slots is associated with a therapy target in the patient and wherein at least two therapy programs of the plurality of therapy programs are associated with each of the plurality of slots, wherein the plurality of therapy programs comprises the first plurality of therapy programs and the second plurality of therapy programs.

34. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the instructions cause the programmable processor to select the first active therapy program based on a sensed posture of the patient.

35. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, further comprising instructions that cause the programmable processor to display a pain map of the patient and a paresthesia map associated with at least one therapy program of the first plurality of therapy programs, wherein the instructions cause the programmable processor to display the pain map and the paresthesia map by at least overlaying the pain map and the paresthesia map.

36. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the first active therapy program and the at least one alternative therapy program for the first slot are defined based on at least one of posture, amount of activity of the patient, or intensity of symptoms of the patient.

37. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the first slot parameter defines at least one of a posture parameter, a cycling parameter, a rate ratio parameter, or a STIM activation parameter.

38. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the instructions that cause the programmable processor to select the set of active therapy programs further comprise instructions that cause the programmable processor to:

select a third active therapy program of a third plurality of therapy programs for a third slot, wherein the third slot and the third plurality of therapy programs are associated with a third therapy target in a patient, and wherein the third plurality of therapy programs comprises the third active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the third slot, and

select a fourth active therapy program of a fourth plurality of therapy programs for a fourth slot, wherein the fourth slot and the fourth plurality of therapy programs are associated with a fourth therapy target in a patient, and wherein the fourth plurality of therapy programs comprises the fourth active therapy program and at least one alternative therapy program for the fourth slot,

wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth therapy targets defines a different target region of the patient.