Rule-based stimulation program search

• US 8,630,715 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2011
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Goetz, Steven M., Johnson, Donald R., Houchins, Andrew H., Keacher, Jeffrey T., Stone, Theodore J., Heruth, Kenneth T., King, Gary W., Testerman, Roy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIETRICH, JOSEPH M
• Application Number:
  US13/330,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20120136409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 607/30, 607/31, 607/59, 607/117
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36132 using patient feedback
• 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 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Techniques that involve application of one or more rules to a “parent” program to generate a plurality of different “child” programs are described. Each of the rules may define a respective electrode configuration modification, and each child program may be a variation of the parent based on a modification of the electrode configuration of the parent according to one of the rules. The systems or devices may generate further generations of child programs from a previous generation child program using the same one or more rules. The child programs may be provided to a user, so that the user may test the efficacy of the new programs, assisting the user in identifying desirable programs. The child programs may be relatively minor variations of the parent program, and the user may “fine tune” a generally desirable parent program by testing the child programs.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying, with a processor, a plurality of parent neurostimulation programs, each of the parent neurostimulation programs including a respective parent electrode configuration through which neurostimulation is delivered to a patient;

generating, with the processor, a plurality of child neurostimulation programs based on each of the parent neurostimulation programs, wherein generating each of the child neurostimulation programs comprises applying at least one predetermined rule to the parent electrode configuration of one of the parent neurostimulation programs to produce a child electrode configuration of the child neurostimulation program;

receiving, with the processor and via a user interface, user input configured to control scrolling through a sequence of the parent neurostimulation programs and child neurostimulation programs, wherein the user input defines at least one of a speed or a direction of the scrolling; and

in response to the user input, automatically controlling, with the processor, an implantable medical device to deliver neurostimulation according to current ones of the neurostimulation programs during scrolling through the sequence of parent neurostimulation programs and child neurostimulation programs, for evaluation of the neurostimulation programs by a user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input comprises selection of at least one of a play, stop, pause, rewind, or fast forward command.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one predetermined rule specifies changing at least one of a polarity or location of an active electrode from the parent electrode configuration to the child electrode configuration.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one predetermined rule specifies moving an anode from the parent electrode configuration to an adjacent inactive electrode of the parent electrode configuration.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

controlling, with the processor, the implantable medical device to deliver neurostimulation according to a first one of the neurostimulation programs;

receiving, with the processor and via the user interface, user input configured to adjust an amplitude of the first neurostimulation program to a final value;

automatically determining, with the processor, an initial value for an amplitude of a second one of the neurostimulation programs based on the final value of the amplitude of the first neurostimulation program; and

controlling, with the processor, the implantable medical device to deliver neurostimulation according to the second neurostimulation program including the determined initial value for the amplitude of the second neurostimulation program.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein automatically determining an initial value comprises applying a predetermined percentage to the final value.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user comprises the patient.

8. A system comprising:

a memory configured to store at least one predetermined rule that defines at least one electrode configuration modification;

an implantable medical device configured to deliver neurostimulation;

a processor configured to;

identify a plurality of parent neurostimulation programs, each of the parent neurostimulation programs including a respective parent electrode configuration through which neurostimulation is delivered to a patient, and

generate a plurality of child neurostimulation programs based on each of the parent neurostimulation programs, wherein the processor generates each of the child neurostimulation programs by at least applying at least one predetermined rule to the parent electrode configuration of one of the parent neurostimulation programs to produce a child electrode configuration of the child neurostimulation program,

receive, via a user interface, user input configured to control scrolling through a sequence of the parent neurostimulation programs and child neurostimulation programs, wherein the user input defines at least one of a speed or a direction of the scrolling, and

in response to the user input, automatically control the implantable medical device to deliver neurostimulation according to current ones of the neurostimulation programs during scrolling through the sequence of parent neurostimulation programs and child neurostimulation programs, for evaluation of the neurostimulation programs by a user.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the user input comprises selection of at least one of a play, stop, pause, rewind, or fast forward command.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one predetermined rule specifies changing at least one of a polarity or location of an active electrode from the parent electrode configuration to the child electrode configuration.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one predetermined rule specifies moving an anode from the parent electrode configuration to an adjacent inactive electrode of the parent electrode configuration.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to:

control the implantable medical device to deliver neurostimulation according to a first one of the neurostimulation programs,

receive user input, via a user interface, configured to adjust an amplitude of the first neurostimulation program to a final value,

automatically determine an initial value for an amplitude of a second one of the neurostimulation programs based on the final value of the amplitude of the first neurostimulation program, and

control the implantable medical device to deliver neurostimulation according to the second neurostimulation program including the determined initial value for the amplitude of the second neurostimulation program.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to automatically determine the initial value by at least applying a predetermined percentage to the final value.

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

identify a plurality of parent neurostimulation programs, each of the parent neurostimulation programs including a respective parent electrode configuration through which neurostimulation is delivered to a patient;

generate a plurality of child neurostimulation programs based on each of the parent neurostimulation programs, wherein generating each of the child neurostimulation programs comprises applying at least one predetermined rule to the parent electrode configuration of one of the parent neurostimulation programs to produce a child electrode configuration of the child neurostimulation program;

receive, via a user interface, user input configured to control scrolling through a sequence of the parent neurostimulation programs and child neurostimulation programs, wherein the user input defines at least one of a speed or a direction of the scrolling; and

in response to the user input, automatically control an implantable medical device to deliver neurostimulation according to current ones of the neurostimulation programs during scrolling through the sequence of parent neurostimulation programs and child neurostimulation programs, for evaluation of the neurostimulation programs by a user.

15. A system comprising:

means for identifying a plurality of parent neurostimulation programs, each of the parent neurostimulation programs including a respective parent electrode configuration through which neurostimulation is delivered to a patient;

means for generating a plurality of child neurostimulation programs based on each of the parent neurostimulation programs, wherein the means for generating generates each of the child neurostimulation programs by applying at least one predetermined rule to the parent electrode configuration of one of the parent neurostimulation programs to produce a child electrode configuration of the child neurostimulation program;

means for receiving, via a user interface, user input configured to control scrolling through a sequence of the parent neurostimulation programs and child neurostimulation programs, wherein the user input defines at least one of a speed or a direction of the scrolling; and

means for automatically controlling, in response to the user input, an implantable medical device to deliver neurostimulation according to current ones of the neurostimulation programs during scrolling through the sequence of parent neurostimulation programs and child neurostimulation programs, for evaluation of the neurostimulation programs by a user.