Multi-channel neuromodulation system having frequency modulation stimulation

• US 9,138,582 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2014
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Doan, Que T., Zhu, Changfang
• Primary Examiner(s): Wieland, Robert N
• Application Number:
  US14/186,885
• Publication Number:
  US 20140243923A1
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 607/62
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36167 Timing, e.g. stimulation onset
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36171 Frequency
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36178 Burst or pulse train parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36189 using modulation techniques

Abstract

A neuromodulation system comprises a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to electrodes, modulation output circuitry configured for respectively outputting a plurality of individual electrical pulse trains in a plurality of timing channels to the electrical terminals, wherein each of the timing channels prevents the respective pulse train from having a specific characteristic, and control circuitry configured for controlling the modulation output circuitry in a manner that outputs the pulse trains to a common set of the electrical terminals, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train at the common set of electrical terminals that has the specific characteristic. A method of providing therapy to a patient comprises delivering a plurality of electrical pulse trains respectively in a plurality of timing channels to a common set of electrodes implanted within the patient, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train at the common set of electrical terminals.

Claims

1. A neuromodulation system, comprising:

a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes;

modulation output circuitry configured for respectively outputting a plurality of individual electrical pulse trains in a plurality of timing channels to the plurality of electrical terminals, wherein each of the timing channels prevents the respective pulse train from having a specific characteristic; and

control circuitry configured for controlling the modulation output circuitry in a manner that outputs the plurality of pulse trains to a common set of electrical terminals from the plurality of electrical terminals, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train at the common set of electrical terminals that has the specific characteristic.

2. The neuromodulation system of claim 1, wherein the specific characteristic is a pulse amplitude that exceeds a maximum value, and the combined electrical pulse train has the pulse amplitude that exceeds the maximum value.

3. The neuromodulation system of claim 1, wherein the specific characteristic is a pulse rate that exceeds a maximum value, and the combined electrical pulse train has the pulse rate that exceeds the maximum value.

4. The neuromodulation system of claim 1, wherein the specific characteristic is a varying pulse rate, and the combined electrical pulse train has a varying pulse rate.

5. The neuromodulation system of claim 4, wherein pulses of the plurality of pulse trains are interleaved to create the combined electrical pulse train with the varying pulse rate.

6. The neuromodulation system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of pulse trains are sequentially burst to create the combined electrical pulse train with a plurality of burst patterns having different pulse rates.

7. The neuromodulation system of claim 1, wherein the common set of electrical terminals includes only one electrical terminal.

8. The neuromodulation system of claim 1, wherein the common set of electrical terminals includes more than one electrical terminal.

9. The neuromodulation system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured for receiving an input from a user defining the specific characteristic.

10. The neuromodulation system of claim 1, neuromodulation system further comprising a memory configured for storing a plurality of stimulation programs, wherein the control circuitry is configured for programming the plurality of timing channels for each of the stimulation programs.

11. The neuromodulation system of claim 1, further comprising a casing containing the plurality of electrical terminals, the modulation output circuitry, and the control circuitry.

12. A method of providing therapy to a patient, comprising:

delivering a plurality of electrical pulse trains respectively in a plurality of timing channels to a common set of electrodes implanted within the patient, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train at the common set of electrical terminals and providing the therapy to the patient.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein modulation pulses of the plurality pulse trains overlap each other, such that the combined pulse train has a pulse amplitude equal to the sum of the pulse amplitudes of the plurality of pulse trains.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein modulation pulses of the plurality pulse trains are interleaved, such that the combined pulse train has a pulse rate equal to the sum of the pulse rates of the plurality of pulse trains.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of pulse trains are sequentially burst to create the combined electrical pulse train with a plurality of burst patterns having different pulse rates.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the common set of electrodes includes only one electrode.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the common set of electrodes includes more than one electrode.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving input from a user defining a characteristic of the combined pulse train.

19. A neuromodulation system, comprising:

a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes;

modulation output circuitry configured for respectively outputting a plurality of individual electrical pulse trains in a plurality of timing channels to the plurality of electrical terminals, wherein each of the timing channels prevents the respective pulse train from having a specific characteristic; and

control circuitry configured for controlling the modulation output circuitry in a manner that outputs the plurality of pulse trains to a common set of electrical terminals from the plurality of electrical terminals, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train at the common set of electrical terminals that has the specific characteristic,

wherein the specific characteristic is a varying pulse rate, and the combined electrical pulse train has a varying pulse rate,

the neuromodulation system further comprising a user interface configured for receiving an input from a user defining the specific characteristic.

20. The neuromodulation system of claim 19, wherein the specific characteristic is a pulse amplitude that exceeds a maximum value, and the combined electrical pulse train has the pulse amplitude that exceeds the maximum value.