Apparatus and method for determining the relative position and orientation of neurostimulation leads
DCFirst Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- determining, using circuitry, a relative two-dimensional orientation of first and second multiple-electrode leads implanted within a user;
conveying electrical stimulation energy from a pulse generator implanted within the user into tissue of the user via the first and second multiple-electrode leads; and
displaying the relative two-dimensional orientation of the first and second multiple-electrode leads.
1 Assignment
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
Interelectrode impedance or electric field potential measurements are used to determine the relative orientation of one lead to other leads in the spinal column or other body/tissue location. Interelectrode impedance is determined by measuring impedance vectors. The value of the impedance vector is due primarily to the electrode-electrolyte interface, and the bulk impedance between the electrodes. The bulk impedance between the electrodes is, in turn, made up of (1) the impedance of the tissue adjacent to the electrodes, and (2) the impedance of the tissue between the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present invention makes both monopolar and bipolar impedance measurements, and then corrects the bipolar impedance measurements using the monopolar measurements to eliminate the effect of the impedance of the tissue adjacent the electrodes. The orientation and position of the leads may be inferred from the relative minima of the corrected bipolar impedance values. These corrected impedance values may also be mapped and stored to facilitate a comparison with subsequent corrected impedance measurement values.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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determining, using circuitry, a relative two-dimensional orientation of first and second multiple-electrode leads implanted within a user; conveying electrical stimulation energy from a pulse generator implanted within the user into tissue of the user via the first and second multiple-electrode leads; and displaying the relative two-dimensional orientation of the first and second multiple-electrode leads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for use with first and second implantable leads that include respective pluralities of electrodes, the apparatus comprising:
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an implantable pulse generator configured for conveying electrical stimulation energy to the first and second leads; means for determining a relative two-dimensional orientation of the first and second leads; and means for displaying the relative two-dimensional orientation of the first and second leads. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for use with first and second implantable leads that include respective pluralities of electrodes, the apparatus comprising:
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an implantable pulse generator configured for conveying electrical stimulation energy to the first and second leads; a display; circuitry to determine a relative two-dimensional orientation of the first and second leads; and circuitry to display the relative two-dimensional orientation of the first and second leads on the display. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification