Implantable neurostimulator supporting trial and chronic modes
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- implanting a neurostimulator in a patient, wherein the neurostimulator comprises a therapy delivery circuit that generates stimulation energy;
operating the neurostimulator in a trial mode as a first operating mode upon initial implantation of the neurostimulator and before operation of the neurostimulator in any chronic mode to evaluate efficacy of the neurostimulator; and
operating the neurostimulator in a chronic mode as a second operating mode after completion of the trial mode only if the trial mode indicates that the neurostimulator provides an acceptable level of therapeutic efficacy, wherein the neurostimulator operates in the chronic mode according to a set of electrical stimulation parameter values that is different than any set of electrical stimulation parameter values that define operation of the neurostimulator in the trial mode.
1 Assignment
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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.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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implanting a neurostimulator in a patient, wherein the neurostimulator comprises a therapy delivery circuit that generates stimulation energy; operating the neurostimulator in a trial mode as a first operating mode upon initial implantation of the neurostimulator and before operation of the neurostimulator in any chronic mode to evaluate efficacy of the neurostimulator; and operating the neurostimulator in a chronic mode as a second operating mode after completion of the trial mode only if the trial mode indicates that the neurostimulator provides an acceptable level of therapeutic efficacy, wherein the neurostimulator operates in the chronic mode according to a set of electrical stimulation parameter values that is different than any set of electrical stimulation parameter values that define operation of the neurostimulator in the trial mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions to cause one or more processors to:
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operate a neurostimulator in a trial mode as a first operating mode upon initial implantation of the neurostimulator and before operation of the neurostimulator in any chronic mode to evaluate efficacy of the neurostimulator, wherein the neurostimulator comprises a therapy delivery circuit that generates stimulation energy; and operate the neurostimulator in a chronic mode as a second operating mode after completion of the trial mode only if the trial mode indicates that the neurostimulator provides an acceptable level of therapeutic efficacy, wherein the one or more processors operate the neurostimulator in the chronic mode according to a set of electrical stimulation parameter values that is different than any set of electrical stimulation parameter values that define operation of the neurostimulator in the trial mode. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A method comprising:
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implanting a neurostimulator in a patient; operating the neurostimulator in a trial mode as a first and only operating mode upon initial implantation of the neurostimulator and before operation of the neurostimulator in a chronic mode to evaluate efficacy of the neurostimulator; controlling the neurostimulator to operate in the trial mode for a trial period, and controlling the neurostimulator to stop operating after the trial period until authorization to continue operating is received; and operating the neurostimulator in the chronic mode after completion of the trial mode only if the trial mode indicates that the neurostimulator provides efficacious therapy to the patient, wherein the neurostimulator operates in the chronic mode according to a new program relative to programs that define operation of the neurostimulator in the trial mode. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A method comprising:
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operating an electrical stimulation generator to generate stimulation in a trial mode as a first operating mode upon initial implantation of the electrical stimulation generator to evaluate efficacy of the electrical stimulation generator; controlling the electrical stimulation generator to operate in the trial mode for a trial period, and controlling the electrical stimulation generator to stop operating after the trial period until authorization to continue operating is received; and operating the electrical stimulation generator to generate stimulation in a chronic mode according to a new program relative to programs that define stimulation generated during the trial mode, wherein the electrical stimulation generator operates to generate stimulation in the chronic mode after completion of the trial mode and only if the trial mode indicates that the electrical stimulation generator provides efficacious therapy to the patient.
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Specification