Devices for controlling high frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain, and associated systems and methods, including simplified program selection

• US 9,248,293 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2014
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nevro Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nevro Corporation
• Inventors: Walker, Andre B., Parker, Jon, Alataris, Konstantinos, Thacker, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinga, Roland
• Application Number:
  US14/480,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20140379044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 607/46
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/323 Interference currents, i.e. treatment by several currents summed in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36062 Spinal stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36089 Addiction or withdrawal from substance abuse such as alcohol or drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36128 Control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36132 using patient feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36157 Current A61N1/3616 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3616 Voltage density or current density
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36164 Sub-threshold or non-excitatory signals non-excitatory signals to the heart A61N1/3628
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36167 Timing, e.g. stimulation onset
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36171 Frequency
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36175 Pulse width or duty cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36178 Burst or pulse train parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36182 Direction of the electrical field, e.g. with sleeve around stimulating electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37235 Aspects of the external programmer
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37241 : providing test stimulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 : User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37264 : Changing the program; Upgrading firmware
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 : from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/133 : by using digital technique

Abstract

Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient'"'"'s spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications. In particular embodiments, aspects of the foregoing modulation therapies may be implemented by systems and devices that have simplified functionalities.

Claims

1. A method for selecting patient therapy parameters in a spinal cord stimulation system, wherein the method is implemented in a controller for the spinal cord stimulation system, the method comprising:

simultaneously presenting at a display medium

(a) a graphical indication of at least one lead body location,

(b) a graphical indication of signal amplitude levels available from a pulse generator,

(c) a graphical indication of multiple patient pain levels as a function of lead body location and amplitude, and

(d) a graphical indication of an amplitude selected for a therapeutic modulation signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating the graphical indication of the amplitude selected for the therapeutic modulation signal based on a user input.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating the graphical indication of the at least one of the lead body location based on user input.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting an indication of a maximum signal amplitude level and a minimum signal amplitude level; and

presenting a user-manipulatable representation of a present signal amplitude level at or between the maximum and minimum signal amplitude level representations.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical indication of lead body location and the graphical indication of signal amplitude levels are presented on orthogonal axes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical indication of multiple patient pain levels includes a graphical indication of pain levels for a group of patients having a particular symptom.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical indication of multiple patient pain levels includes a graphical indication of pain levels for a single patient.

8. A method for selecting patient therapy parameters in a spinal cord stimulation system, wherein the method is implemented in a controller for the spinal cord stimulation system, the method comprising:

presenting at a display medium

(a) a graphical representation of a region of the patient'"'"'s spine, and

(b) a graphical therapy location identifier; and

receiving a user input corresponding to a target location at the patient'"'"'s spinal cord as the user moves the graphical therapy location identifier relative to the graphical representation of the patient'"'"'s spine, wherein moving the graphical therapy location identifier includes using a drag and a drop routine.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

displaying a graphical indication of multiple patient pain levels as a function of the target location.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

displaying a graphical first lead identifier corresponding to a first lead implanted in the patient.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

displaying a graphical second lead identifier corresponding to a second lead implanted in the patient.

12. A method for selecting patient therapy parameters in a spinal cord stimulation system, wherein the method is implemented in a controller for the spinal cord stimulation system, comprising:

simultaneously presenting at a display medium

(a) a graphical indication, along a first axis, identifying axial locations along the patient'"'"'s spine,

(b) a graphical therapy location identifier indicating where along the first axis therapy is to be provided, and

(c) a graphical indication of signal amplitude levels available from the pulse generator along a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

displaying a graphical amplitude identifier along the second axis indicating a selected signal amplitude level.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

displaying a graphical indication of multiple patient pain levels as a function of axial location along the patient'"'"'s spine and selected signal amplitude level.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving a user input corresponding to a target location at the patient'"'"'s spinal cord as the user moves the graphical therapy location identifier along the first axis.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving a user input corresponding to a target signal amplitude level as the user moves the graphical amplitude identifier along the second axis.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

displaying a graphical first lead identifier corresponding to a first lead implanted in the patient.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

displaying a graphical second lead identifier corresponding to a second lead implanted in the patient.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first and second graphical lead identifers extend parallel to the first axis.