User-defined graphical shapes used as a visualization aid for stimulator programming

• US 8,849,411 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2012
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Moffitt, Michael A., Zottola, Dennis, Cassidy, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Morales, Jon Eric C
• Application Number:
  US13/473,457
• Publication Number:
  US 20120296396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 607/46, 607/59
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36064 Epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36067 Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36128 Control systems
• 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: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A system for programming a neurostimulation device coupled to one or more electrodes. The system comprises a user interface configured for allowing a user to select a set of stimulation parameters and to define a graphical shape representative of an anatomical region of interest. The system further comprises memory configured for storing the graphical shape in registration with an anatomical reference, and output circuitry configured for communicating with the neurostimulation device. The system further comprises a controller configured for recalling the registered graphical shape and anatomical reference from the memory, generating display signals capable of prompting the user interface to concurrently display a representation of the electrode(s) relative to the recalled graphical shape and anatomical reference, and programming the neurostimulation device with the selected stimulation parameter set via the output circuitry.

Claims

1. A system for programming a neurostimulation device coupled to one or more electrodes, comprising:

a user interface configured for allowing a user to select a set of stimulation parameters and to define one of a plurality of different graphical shapes, each representative of an anatomical region of interest;

memory configured for storing the defined graphical shape with a spatial position linked to an anatomical reference;

output circuitry configured for communicating with the neurostimulation device; and

a controller configured for recalling the linked graphical shape and anatomical reference from the memory, generating display signals capable of prompting the user interface to concurrently display a representation of the one or more electrodes relative to the recalled graphical shape, and programming the neurostimulation device with the selected stimulation parameter set via the output circuitry.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the anatomical region of interest is a therapy region.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the anatomical region of interest is a side-effect region.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the display signals are capable of prompting the user interface to further display the representation of the one or more electrodes relative to the anatomical reference.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the anatomical reference is an atlas.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the anatomical reference comprises one or more anatomical reference points.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more anatomical reference points comprises at least one of a posterior commissural point, anterior commissural point, and a mid-commissural point.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the defined graphical shape is a three-dimensional graphical shape.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the defined graphical shape is a regular three-dimensional geometric shape.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the regular three-dimensional geometric shape is one of an ellipsoid, a cuboid, and a pyramid.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory stores a plurality of predefined graphical shapes respectively representing anatomical regions of interest, and the user interface is further configured for allowing the user to select the graphical shape from the plurality of predefined graphical shapes.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured for allowing the user to define the graphical shape by allowing the user to draw a two-dimensional graphical shape.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a processor configured for extrapolating a three-dimensional graphical shape from the drawn two-dimensional shape.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured for allowing the user to define the graphical shape by allowing the user to import a graphical shape from another device.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the further comprising a processor configured for generating a stimulation field model based on the selected stimulation parameter set, and the user interface is configured for allowing the user to define the graphical shape by allowing the user to select the stimulation field model as the graphical shape.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured for allowing the user to define the graphical shape by allowing the user to apply a Boolean function to a plurality of predefined graphical shapes to create the defined graphical shape.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is further configured for allowing the user to define a location of the defined graphical shape relative to the representation of the one or more electrodes.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is further configured for allowing the user to change a size of the defined graphical shape.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured for generating a stimulation field model based on the selected stimulation parameter set, wherein the controller is configured for generating display signals capable of prompting the user interface to concurrently display the generated stimulation field model relative to the recalled graphical shape and anatomical reference.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising an external control device comprising the user interface, memory, output circuitry, and controller.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising the neurostimulator.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the output circuitry comprises telemetry circuitry.