Neural stimulation system providing auto adjustment of stimulus output as a function of sensed impedance
First Claim
1. A neurostimulation system, comprising:
- at least one electrical terminal configured for respectively coupling to at least one electrode implanted within tissue;
stimulation output circuitry configured for outputting stimulation energy to the at least one electrical terminal;
memory configured for storing a look-up table containing impedance changes respectively correlated with predicted stimulation energy adjustments;
monitoring circuitry configured for measuring an impedance change indicative of a variation in a coupling efficiency between the at least one electrode and the tissue; and
a processor configured for analyzing the look-up table to determine the predicted stimulation energy adjustment correlated to the measured impedance change, and automatically adjusting the stimulation energy output by the stimulation output circuitry in accordance with the determined stimulation energy adjustment.
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Abstract
A neural stimulation system automatically corrects or adjusts the stimulus magnitude (stimulation energy) in order to maintain a comfortable and effective stimulation therapy. Because the changes in impedance associated with the electrode-tissue interface can indicate obstruction of current flow and positional lead displacement, lead impedance can indicate the quantity of electrical stimulation energy that should be delivered to the target neural tissue to provide corrective adjustment. Hence, a change in impedance or morphology of an impedance curve may be used in a feedback loop to indicate that the stimulation energy needs to be adjusted and the system can effectively auto correct the magnitude of stimulation energy to maintain a desired therapeutic effect.
68 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A neurostimulation system, comprising:
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at least one electrical terminal configured for respectively coupling to at least one electrode implanted within tissue; stimulation output circuitry configured for outputting stimulation energy to the at least one electrical terminal; memory configured for storing a look-up table containing impedance changes respectively correlated with predicted stimulation energy adjustments; monitoring circuitry configured for measuring an impedance change indicative of a variation in a coupling efficiency between the at least one electrode and the tissue; and a processor configured for analyzing the look-up table to determine the predicted stimulation energy adjustment correlated to the measured impedance change, and automatically adjusting the stimulation energy output by the stimulation output circuitry in accordance with the determined stimulation energy adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A neurostimulation system, comprising:
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at least one electrical electrode configured for being implanted within tissue; and an implantable pulse generator configured for outputting stimulation energy to the at least one electrode, storing a look-up table containing impedance changes respectively correlated with predicted stimulation energy adjustments, measuring an impedance change indicative of a variation in a coupling efficiency between the at least one electrode and the tissue, analyzing the look-up table to determine the predicted stimulation energy adjustment correlated to the measured impedance change, and automatically adjusting the stimulation energy output to the at least one electrode in accordance with the determined stimulation energy adjustment. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification