Implantable neurostimulator supporting trial and chronic modes
First Claim
1. An implantable neurostimulator comprising:
- a neurostimulation generator;
a processor that controls the neurostimulation generator to generate neurostimulation in a trial mode as a first operating mode upon initial implantation of the neurostimulator and before generation of electrical stimulation in any chronic mode by the neurostimulation generator, to evaluate efficacy of the neurostimulator; and
one or more sensors that sense one or more parameters related to a patient during the trial mode,wherein the processor controls the neurostimulation generator to generate neurostimulation in the chronic mode after completion of the trial mode and only if the trial mode indicates that the neurostimulator provides efficacious therapy to the patient, wherein the processor controls the neurostimulation generator to generate neurostimulation in the chronic mode according to a set of electrical stimulation parameter values that is different than any sets of electrical stimulation parameter values that define neurostimulation generated during the trial mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure is directed to a chronic implantable neurostimulator that supports trial and chronic modes of operation. The implantable neurostimulator can alternatively include one or more sensors that may or may not function differently in trial and chronic modes. In particular, the device is designed to be used as both a trial neurostimulator and a permanent, or chronic, neurostimulator. A trial neurostimulation period is generally desired to evaluate the efficacy of the therapy. A percutaneous or implantable trial neurostimulator is used for the trial neurostimulation period. In most cases, the trial period is successful, in which case the trial stimulator is explanted and replaced with a permanent, i.e., “chronic,” implantable stimulator. In accordance with the disclosure, an implantable neurostimulator supports both trial neurostimulation and chronic neurostimulation in the event trial stimulation is successful. In this manner, the additional surgery ordinarily required for replacement of the trial stimulator can be avoided. Instead, the implanted neurostimulation device remains implanted and is reconfigured to transition from trial stimulation to chronic stimulation.
82 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An implantable neurostimulator comprising:
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a neurostimulation generator; a processor that controls the neurostimulation generator to generate neurostimulation in a trial mode as a first operating mode upon initial implantation of the neurostimulator and before generation of electrical stimulation in any chronic mode by the neurostimulation generator, to evaluate efficacy of the neurostimulator; and one or more sensors that sense one or more parameters related to a patient during the trial mode, wherein the processor controls the neurostimulation generator to generate neurostimulation in the chronic mode after completion of the trial mode and only if the trial mode indicates that the neurostimulator provides efficacious therapy to the patient, wherein the processor controls the neurostimulation generator to generate neurostimulation in the chronic mode according to a set of electrical stimulation parameter values that is different than any sets of electrical stimulation parameter values that define neurostimulation generated during the trial mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An implantable neurostimulator comprising:
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a pulse generator; one or more sensors configured to sense one or more parameters related to a patient; a memory storing a trial mode program and a chronic mode program that is different than the trial mode program; and a processor that controls the pulse generator to apply stimulation pulses according to the trial mode program in a first operating mode upon initial implantation of the neurostimulator to evaluate efficacy of the neurostimulator, wherein the first operating mode occurs prior to operation of the neurostimulator in any chronic mode, and apply stimulation pulses according to the chronic mode program as a second mode after completion of the trial mode only if the trial mode indicates that the neurostimulator provides efficacious therapy to the patient, wherein the chronic mode program is different than any sets of electrical stimulation parameter values that define stimulation applied during the trial mode, and controls the one or more sensors to sense one or more patient parameters during the trial mode. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. An implantable electrical stimulator comprising:
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an electrical stimulation generator; a processor that controls the electrical stimulation generator to generate electrical stimulation in a trial mode as a first mode following implantation of the electrical stimulator and before generation of stimulation in any chronic mode; and one or more sensors that sense one or more parameters related to a patient during the trial mode, wherein the processor controls the electrical stimulation generator to generate electrical stimulation in the chronic mode after completion of the trial mode only if the trial mode indicates that the electrical stimulator provides efficacious therapy to the patient, and controls the electrical stimulation generator to generate no electrical stimulation in any chronic mode prior to the generation of electrical stimulation in the trial mode, and wherein the processor controls the electrical stimulation generator to generate electrical stimulation in the chronic mode according to a new program relative to programs that define neurostimulation generated during the trial mode, and wherein the processor controls the electrical stimulation generator to operate in the trial mode for a trial period, and controls the electrical stimulation generator to stop operating after the trial period until authorization to continue operating is received. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. An implantable neurostimulator comprising:
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an electrical stimulation generator; and a processor that controls the electrical stimulation generator to generate neurostimulation in a trial mode as a first operating mode upon initial implantation of the neurostimulator to evaluate efficacy of the neurostimulator and controls the neurostimulation generator to generate neurostimulation in a chronic mode according to a new program relative to programs that define neurostimulation generated during the trial mode, wherein the processor controls the neurostimulation generator to generate neurostimulation in the chronic mode after completion of the trial mode and only if the trial mode indicates that the neurostimulator provides efficacious therapy to the patient, and wherein the processor controls the electrical stimulation generator to operate in the trial mode for a trial period, and controls the electrical stimulation generator to stop operating after the trial period until authorization to continue operating is received.
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Specification