Systems and methods for providing a distributed virtual stimulation cathode for use with an implantable neurostimulation system
First Claim
1. A method for use with an implantable neurostimulation system for implant within a patient wherein the system includes at least two electrodes, the method comprising:
- generating neurostimulation pulses wherein successive pulses alternate in polarity so that at least two opposing electrodes alternate as cathodes and wherein each pulse, from the successive pulses, has a cathodic amplitude sufficient to achieve cathodic capture of tissues adjacent a particular electrode of the at least two opposing electrodes used as the cathode for the pulse; and
delivering the neurostimulation pulses to patient tissues using the at least two electrodes to alternatingly capture tissues adjacent the at least two opposing electrodes via cathodic capture to achieve a distributed virtual stimulation cathode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques are provided for controlling and delivering spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or other forms of neurostimulation. In one example, neurostimulation pulses are generated wherein successive pulses alternate in polarity so that a pair of electrodes alternate as cathodes. Each pulse has a cathodic amplitude sufficient to achieve cathodic capture of tissues adjacent the particular electrode used as the cathode for the pulse. The neurostimulation pulses are delivered to patient tissues using the electrodes to alternatingly capture tissues adjacent opposing electrodes via cathodic capture to achieve a distributed virtual stimulation cathode. Various pulse energy savings techniques are also set forth that exploit the distributed virtual stimulation cathode.
65 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for use with an implantable neurostimulation system for implant within a patient wherein the system includes at least two electrodes, the method comprising:
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generating neurostimulation pulses wherein successive pulses alternate in polarity so that at least two opposing electrodes alternate as cathodes and wherein each pulse, from the successive pulses, has a cathodic amplitude sufficient to achieve cathodic capture of tissues adjacent a particular electrode of the at least two opposing electrodes used as the cathode for the pulse; and delivering the neurostimulation pulses to patient tissues using the at least two electrodes to alternatingly capture tissues adjacent the at least two opposing electrodes via cathodic capture to achieve a distributed virtual stimulation cathode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for use with an implantable neurostimulation system for implant within a patient wherein the system includes at least two electrodes, the system comprising:
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a neurostimulation pulse generator operative to generate neurostimulation pulses wherein successive pulses alternate in polarity so that at least two opposing electrodes alternate as cathodes and wherein each pulse, from the successive pulses, has a cathodic amplitude sufficient to achieve cathodic capture of tissues adjacent a particular electrode of the at least two opposing electrodes used as the cathode for the pulse; and a neurostimulation pulse delivery system operative to deliver the neurostimulation pulses to patient to alternatingly capture tissues adjacent the at least two opposing electrodes via cathodic capture to achieve a distributed virtual stimulation cathode. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An external system for use with an implantable neurostimulation system for implant within a patient wherein the implantable neurostimulation system includes at least two electrodes, the external system comprising:
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a distributed virtual cathodic stimulation-based programming system operative to generate a stimulation set for programming the implantable neurostimulation system to provide distributed virtual cathodic stimulation; and a telemetry system operative to control transmission of stimulation set programming commands to the implantable neurostimulation system for controlling the implantable neurostimulation system, wherein the distributed virtual cathodic stimulation is formed by generating neurostimulation pulses wherein successive pulses alternate in polarity so that at least two opposing electrodes alternate as cathodes and wherein each pulse, from the successive pulses, has a cathodic amplitude sufficient to achieve cathodic capture of tissues adjacent a particular electrode of the at least two opposing electrodes used as the cathode for the pulse.
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Specification