System and method of compressing medical maps for pulse generator or database storage

• US 8,868,199 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2013
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cirtec Medical Corp.
• Original Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kaula, Norbert, Iyassu, Yohannes, Mosley, Carl, Drees, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US13/973,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20140067017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 607/59
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36128 Control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37252 Details of algorithms or data aspects of communication system, e.g. handshaking, transmitting specific data or segmenting data
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/20 Editing of 3D images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/41 Medical
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/2012 Colour editing, changing, or manipulating; Use of colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2219/2021 Shape modification
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records

Abstract

The present disclosure involves a method of data-reducing and storing a sensation map. A sensation map associated with a patient is provided. The sensation map includes a graphical depiction of a sensation experienced by the patient. The sensation may be pain or paresthesia experienced by the patient in response to an electrical stimulation therapy. A data file is generated. The data file has a data size less than a data size of the sensation map. The data file contains digital information allowing a reconstruction of the sensation map. Electronic communication is then established with an implanted medical device located inside the patient'"'"'s body. Thereafter, the data file is sent to the implanted medical device for storage. The stored data files are retrievable by another clinician programmer later to reconstruct the sensation map.

Claims

1. An electronic device for data-reducing and transmitting a sensation map of a patient, the electronic device comprising:

a memory storage component configured to store programming code; and

a computer processor configured to execute the programming code to perform the following tasks;

providing a sensation map associated with the patient wherein the sensation map comprises a pain map that includes a graphical depiction of pain experienced by the patient or a stimulation map that includes a graphical depiction of paresthesia experienced by the patient in response to electrical stimulation, and wherein the providing the sensation map comprises generating the sensation map over a three-dimensional (3D) human body model;

generating a data file having a data size less than a data size of the sensation map, wherein the data file contains digital information allowing a reconstruction of the sensation map;

establishing electronic communication with an implanted medical device located inside the patient'"'"'s body; and

thereafter sending the data file to the implanted medical device for storage.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the generating the data file comprises:

performing a Connected Component Labeling (CCL) process to the sensation map to generate a processed image of the sensation map;

generating a plurality of data files by executing a plurality of data compression algorithms to the processed image of the sensation map, respectively, the data compression algorithms being selected from the group consisting of;

Chain Code, Minimum Perimeter Polygon, Estimation with Primitives, Fourier descriptors, and run-length encoding;

computing a respective data size for each of the data files; and

selecting the data file with a smallest data size as the data file to be sent to the implanted medical device.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the tasks further comprise:

associating a treatment protocol with the sensation map, the treatment protocol including one or more of the following information;

a date of sensation map creation, a type of implant lead containing electrodes configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient, an activated electrode configuration on the implant lead, a polarity programmed for each activated electrode, an amount of current programmed for each activated electrode, a pulse width programmed for each activated electrode, and a frequency programmed for each activated electrode; and

sending the treatment protocol to the implanted medical device along with the associated data file for storage.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the tasks further comprise:

generating a plurality of data files over time, wherein each data file corresponds to a data-reduced sensation map at a different point in time; and

sending the plurality of data files to the implanted medical device for storage.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the 3D human body model is customized to the patient based on physical characteristics of the patient that include one or more of the following:

height, weight, age, gender, and ethnicity.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:

uploading the data file to a remote electronic database.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic device is a portable clinician programmer having a touch-sensitive graphical user interface through which the sensation map is displayed; and

the implanted medical device includes a pulse generator configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the generating of the sensation map comprises graphically depicting varying degrees of intensities of pain or stimulation.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the generating of the sensation map comprises graphically depicting different types of pain or different types of stimulation.

10. A medical system, comprising:

a neurostimulator configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via one or more of a plurality of contacts located on a lead; and

a portable electronic programmer having an electronic processor and a touch-sensitive graphical user interface, wherein the electronic programmer is configured to;

provide a sensation map associated with the patient wherein the sensation map comprises a pain map that includes a graphical depiction of pain experienced by the patient or a stimulation map that includes a graphical depiction of paresthesia experienced by the patient in response to electrical stimulation, and wherein the electronic programmer is configured to provide the sensation map by generating the sensation map over a three-dimensional (3D) human body model;

generate a data file having a data size less than a data size of the sensation map, wherein the data file contains digital information allowing a reconstruction of the sensation map;

establish electronic communication with the neurostimulator; and

thereafter send the data file to the neurostimulator for storage.

11. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the electronic program is configured to generate the data file by:

performing a Connected Component Labeling (CCL) process to the sensation map to generate a processed image of the sensation map;

generating a plurality of data files by executing a plurality of data compression algorithms to the processed image of the sensation map, respectively, the data compression algorithms being selected from the group consisting of;

Chain Code, Minimum Perimeter Polygon, Estimation with Primitives, Fourier descriptors, and run-length encoding;

computing a respective data size for each of the data files; and

selecting the data file with a smallest data size as the data file to be sent to the neurostimulator.

12. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the electronic programmer is further configured to:

associate a treatment protocol with the sensation map, the treatment protocol including one or more of the following information;

a date of sensation map creation, a lead type, an activated electrode configuration on the lead, a polarity programmed for each activated electrode, an amount of current programmed for each activated electrode, a pulse width programmed for each activated electrode, and a frequency programmed for each activated electrode; and

send the treatment protocol to the neurostimulator along with the associated data file for storage.

13. The medical system of claim 12, wherein the electronic programmer is further configured to:

generate a plurality of data files over time, wherein each data file corresponds to a data-reduced sensation map at a different point in time; and

send the plurality of data files to the neurostimulator for storage.

14. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the 3D human body model is customized to the patient based on physical characteristics of the patient that include one or more of the following:

height, weight, age, gender, and ethnicity.

15. The medical system of claim 10, further comprising:

a remote electronic database configured to store the data file.

16. The medical system of claim 10, wherein:

the electronic programmer is a clinician programmer having a touch-sensitive graphical user interface through which the sensation map is displayed.

17. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the generating of the sensation map comprises one of:

graphically depicting varying degrees of intensities of pain or stimulation; and

graphically depicting different types of pain or different types of stimulation.

18. A method of storing a sensation map, the method comprising:

providing a sensation map associated with a patient, wherein the sensation map comprises a pain map that includes a graphical depiction of pain experienced by the patient or a stimulation map that includes a graphical depiction of paresthesia experienced by the patient in response to electrical stimulation, and wherein the providing the sensation map comprises generating the sensation map over a three-dimensional (3D) human body model;

generating a data file having a data size less than a data size of the sensation map, wherein the data file contains digital information allowing a reconstruction of the sensation map;

establishing electronic communication with an implanted medical device located inside the patient'"'"'s body; and

thereafter sending the data file to the implanted medical device for storage.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein generating the data file comprises:

performing a Connected Component Labeling (CCL) process to the sensation map to generate a processed image of the sensation map;

generating a plurality of data files by executing a plurality of data compression algorithms to the processed image of the sensation map, respectively, the data compression algorithms being selected from the group consisting of;

Chain Code, Minimum Perimeter Polygon, Estimation with Primitives, Fourier descriptors, and run-length encoding;

computing a respective data size for each of the data files; and

selecting the data file with a smallest data size as the data file to be sent to the implanted medical device.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

associating a treatment protocol with the sensation map, the treatment protocol including one or more of the following information;

a date of sensation map creation, a type of implant lead containing electrodes configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient, an activated electrode configuration on the implant lead, a polarity programmed for each activated electrode, an amount of current programmed for each activated electrode, a pulse width programmed for each activated electrode, and a frequency programmed for each activated electrode; and

sending the treatment protocol to the implanted medical device along with the associated data file for storage.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

generating a plurality of data files over time, wherein each data file corresponds to a data-reduced sensation map at a different point in time; and

sending the plurality of data files to the implanted medical device for storage.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the 3D human body model is customized to the patient based on physical characteristics of the patient that include one or more of the following:

height, weight, age, gender, and ethnicity.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

uploading the data file to a remote electronic database.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the providing, the generating, the establishing, and the sending are performed by a clinician programmer having a touch-sensitive graphical user interface through which the sensation map is displayed; and

the implanted medical device includes a pulse generator configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the generating of the sensation map comprises graphically depicting varying degrees of intensities of pain or stimulation.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the generating of the sensation map comprises graphically depicting different types of pain or different types of stimulation.

27. A programmable pulse generator for delivering a stimulation therapy to a patient, comprising:

a transceiver configured to electronic data via electronic communication conducted with an external clinician programmer;

a memory storage configured to store the electronic data, wherein the electronic data includes;

a stimulation program containing programming instructions for operating the programmable pulse generator; and

a data file having a smaller data size than a sensation map and containing digital information allowing reconstruction of the sensation map that graphically depicts, on the external clinician programmer, a sensation experienced by the patient stimulation program, wherein the sensation map comprises is generated over a three-dimensional (3D) human body model, and wherein the sensation map comprises a pain map that includes a graphical depiction of pain experienced by the patient or a stimulation map that includes a graphical depiction of paresthesia experienced by the patient in response to the stimulation therapy; and

a microcontroller and stimulation circuitry configured to generate electrical pulses of the stimulation therapy based on the stimulation program.

28. The programmable pulse generator of claim 27, wherein the data file is a compressed version of the sensation map.

29. The programmable pulse generator of claim 27, wherein the electronic data further includes a treatment protocol associated with the sensation map, the treatment protocol containing one or more of the following:

a date of sensation map creation, a type of implant lead containing electrodes configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient, an activated electrode configuration on the implant lead, a polarity programmed for each activated electrode, an amount of current programmed for each activated electrode, a pulse width programmed for each activated electrode, and a frequency programmed for each activated electrode.

30. The programmable pulse generator of claim 29, wherein the electronic data further includes a plurality of data files that each correspond to data-reduced sensation map at a different point in time.

31. The programmable pulse generator of claim 27, wherein the generating of the sensation map comprises graphically depicting varying degrees of intensities of pain or stimulation.

32. The programmable pulse generator of claim 27, wherein the generating of the sensation map comprises graphically depicting different types of pain or different types of stimulation.

33. The programmable pulse generator of claim 27, wherein the 3D human body model is customized to the patient based on physical characteristics of the patient that include one or more of the following:

height, weight, age, gender, and ethnicity.