Method and system of quick neurostimulation electrode configuration and positioning

• US 9,259,577 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2013
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cirtec Medical Corp.
• Original Assignee: Greatbatch Limited (Greatbatch Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kaula, Norbert, Drees, Scott, Iyassu, Yohannes, Kaufman, Seth
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US13/973,316
• Publication Number:
  US 20140067006A1
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 607/46, 607/59
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36132 using patient feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• 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: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

The present disclosure involves a method of determining electrode configuration and positioning for neurostimulation. A virtual representation of an implant lead is provided. The implant lead is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via one or more of a plurality of electrodes located on the implant lead. A predefined electrode activation pattern is provided. The electrode activation pattern identifies a plurality of subsets of the electrodes that can be activated one subset at a time. The electrodes in each subset are programmed with their respective electrical stimulation parameters. The subsets of the electrodes are activated one subset at a time. Each activated subset of electrodes delivers electrical stimulation to a different region of a spine of the patient.

Claims

1. An electronic device for determining electrode configuration and positioning for neurostimulation, 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, at least in part via a graphical user interface, a virtual representation of an implant lead, the implant lead being configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via one or more of a plurality of electrodes located on the implant lead;

providing, at least in part via the graphical user interface, a plurality of unique predefined electrode activation patterns, wherein each of the predefined electrode activation patterns identifies and displays a plurality of subsets of the electrodes that can be activated one subset at a time, wherein the electrodes in each subset are programmed, by the computer processor, with their respective electrical stimulation parameters;

receiving a user selection of one of the predefined electrode activation patterns;

visually indicating on the virtual representation of the implant lead, which electrodes correspond to one of the plurality of the subset of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern when a particular subset is user selected; and

activating the subsets of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern one subset at a time, wherein each activated subset of electrodes is adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to a different region of a spine of the patient.

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

receiving patient feedback for the activating of each subset of electrodes.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the tasks further comprise:

recommending a locational adjustment of the implant lead in response to the activating and the patient feedback.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the recommending comprises:

identifying, based on the patient feedback, a region of the spine that offers the most pain reduction for the patient; and

recommending the locational adjustment of the implant lead in a manner such that one or more electrodes located near a center of the implant lead are aligned with the region of the spine that offers the most pain reduction for the patient.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the activating comprises automatically activating the subsets of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern according to a plurality of predefined sequence steps, and wherein a different subset of electrodes is activated at each sequence step.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the activating comprises activating the subsets of electrodes are activated consecutively along a direction.

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

displaying a virtual control mechanism; and

detecting, from a user, an engagement of the virtual control mechanism;

wherein the activating the subsets of electrodes is performed in response to the detected engagement of the virtual control mechanism.

8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the virtual control mechanism comprises one of:

a virtual slider, a virtual toggle, or a virtual joystick.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the providing the plurality of unique predefined electrode activations pattern is performed such that, within each predefined electrode activation pattern, the different subsets of electrodes are segregated by virtual dividers on the virtual representation of the implant lead.

10. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulation parameters include at least one of:

current amplitude, pulse width, frequency, or electrode polarity.

11. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the memory storage component and the computer processor are implemented in an portable electronic programmer having a screen, and wherein the providing the virtual representation of the implant lead and the providing the plurality of unique predefined electrode activation pattern comprise simultaneously displaying the virtual representation of the implant lead and the plurality of unique predefined electrode activation patterns on the screen of the portable electronic programmer.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the tasks further comprise:

displaying, on the screen of the portable electronic programmer, a virtual representation of an anatomical environment containing a portion of the spine of the patient and a disposition of the implant lead with respect to the portion of the spine.

13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the tasks further comprise displaying the electrical stimulation parameters for the subset of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern.

14. A medical system, comprising:

an implantable lead configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via one or more of a plurality of electrodes located on the implantable lead; and

a portable electronic programmer on which a touch-sensitive user interface is implemented, wherein the portable electronic programmer is configured to;

provide, at least in part via the user interface, a virtual representation of the implantable lead;

provide, at least in part via the user interface, a plurality of unique predefined electrode activation patterns, wherein each of the predefined electrode activation patterns identifies and displays a plurality of respective subsets of the electrodes on the implantable lead that can be activated one subset at a time, wherein the electrodes in each subset are programmed, by the portable electronic programmer, with their respective electrical stimulation parameters;

receive a user selection of one of the predefined electrode activation patterns;

visually indicate on the virtual representation of the implantable lead, which electrodes correspond to one of the plurality of the subset of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern when a particular subset is user selected; and

activate the subsets of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern one subset at a time, wherein each activated subset of electrodes is adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to a different region of a spine of the patient.

15. The medical system of claim 14, wherein the user interface is configured to activate the subsets of the electrodes during a surgery that implants the implantable lead into the patient.

16. The medical system of claim 14, wherein the user interface is further configured to:

receive patient feedback for the activating of each subset of electrodes.

17. The medical system of claim 16, wherein the user interface is further configured to:

recommend a locational adjustment of the implantable lead in response to an activation of the subsets of the electrodes and the patient feedback.

18. The medical system of claim 17, wherein the user interface is configured to recommend the locational adjustment by:

identifying, based on the patient feedback, a region of the spine that offers the most pain reduction for the patient; and

recommending the locational adjustment of the implantable lead in a manner such that one or more electrodes located near a center of the implantable lead are aligned with the region of the spine that offers the most pain reduction for the patient.

19. The medical system of claim 14, wherein the user interface is configured to activate the subsets of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern by automatically activating the subsets of the electrodes according to a plurality of predefined sequence steps, and wherein a different subset of electrodes is activated at each sequence step.

20. The medical system of claim 19, wherein the subsets of electrodes in the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern are activated consecutively along a direction.

21. The medical system of claim 14, wherein the user interface is further configured to:

display a virtual control mechanism; and

detect, from a user, an engagement of the virtual control mechanism;

wherein the user interface is configured to activate the subsets of electrodes in the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern in response to the detected engagement of the virtual control mechanism.

22. The medical system of claim 21, wherein the virtual control mechanism comprises one of:

a virtual slider, a virtual toggle, or a virtual joystick.

23. The medical system of claim 14, wherein the user interface is configured to provide the predefined electrode activation pattern in a manner such that the different subsets of electrodes in each predefined electrode activation pattern are segregated by virtual dividers on the virtual representation of the implantable lead.

24. The medical system of claim 14, wherein the electrical stimulation parameters include at least one of:

current amplitude, pulse width, frequency, or electrode polarity.

25. The medical system of claim 14, wherein the user interface is configured to simultaneously display the virtual representation of the implantable lead and the plurality of predefined electrode activation patterns on a screen of the portable electronic programmer.

26. The medical system of claim 25, wherein the user interface is further configured to:

display, on the screen of the portable electronic programmer, a virtual representation of an anatomical environment containing a portion of the spine of the patient and a disposition of the implantable lead with respect to the portion of the spine.

27. The medical system of claim 14, wherein the portable electronic programmer is further configured to display the electrical stimulation parameters for the subset of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern.

28. A method of determining electrode configuration and positioning for neurostimulation, the method comprising:

providing, at least in part via a graphical user interface, a virtual representation of an implant lead, the implant lead being configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via one or more of a plurality of electrodes located on the implant lead;

providing, at least in part via the graphical user interface, a plurality of unique predefined electrode activation patterns, wherein each of the predefined electrode activation patterns identifies and displays a plurality of subsets of the electrodes that can be activated one subset at a time, wherein the electrodes in each subset are programmed, by the computer processor, with their respective electrical stimulation parameters;

receiving a user selection of one of the predefined electrode activation patterns;

visually indicating on the virtual representation of the implant lead, which electrodes correspond to one of the plurality of the subset of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern when a particular subset is user selected; and

activating the subsets of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern one subset at a time, wherein each activated subset of electrodes is adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to a different region of a spine of the patient.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the activating is performed during a surgery that implants the implant lead into the patient.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving patient feedback for the activating of each subset of electrodes.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

recommending a locational adjustment of the implant lead in response to the activating and the patient feedback.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the recommending comprises:

identifying, based on the patient feedback, a region of the spine that offers the most pain reduction for the patient; and

recommending the locational adjustment of the implant lead in a manner such that one or more electrodes located near a center of the implant lead are aligned with the region of the spine that offers the most pain reduction for the patient.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the activating comprises automatically activating the subsets of the electrodes in the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern according to a plurality of predefined sequence steps, and wherein a different subset of electrodes is activated at each sequence step.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the subsets of electrodes in the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern are activated consecutively along a direction.

35. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

displaying a virtual control mechanism; and

detecting, from a user, an engagement of the virtual control mechanism;

wherein the activating of the subsets of electrodes in the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern is performed in response to the detected engagement of the virtual control mechanism.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the virtual control mechanism comprises one of:

a virtual slider, a virtual toggle, or a virtual joystick.

37. The method of claim 28, wherein the providing the predefined electrode activation pattern is performed such that the different subsets of electrodes in the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern are segregated by virtual dividers on the virtual representation of the implant lead.

38. The method of claim 28, wherein the electrical stimulation parameters include at least one of:

current amplitude, pulse width, frequency, or electrode polarity.

39. The method of claim 28, wherein the providing the virtual representation of the implant lead and the providing the predefined electrode activation pattern comprise simultaneously displaying the virtual representation of the implant lead and the plurality of predefined electrode activation patterns on a screen of a clinician programmer.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

displaying, on the screen of the clinician programmer, a virtual representation of an anatomical environment containing a portion of the spine of the patient and a disposition of the implant lead with respect to the portion of the spine.

41. The method of claim 28, further comprising displaying the electrical stimulation parameters for the subset of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern.

42. An electronic apparatus for determining electrode configuration and positioning for neurostimulation, the electronic apparatus comprising:

input/output means for communicating with a user, the input/output means including a touch-sensitive screen configured to detect an input from the user and display an output to the user;

memory storage means for storing executable instructions; and

computer processor means for executing the instructions to perform the following tasks;

providing, at least in part via a graphical user interface, a virtual representation of an implant lead, the implant lead being configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via one or more of a plurality of electrodes located on the implant lead;

providing, at least in part via the graphical user interface, a plurality of unique predefined electrode activation patterns, wherein each of the predefined electrode activation patterns identifies and displays a plurality of subsets of the electrodes that can be activated one subset at a time, wherein the electrodes in each subset are programmed, by the computer processor, with their respective electrical stimulation parameters;

receiving a user selection of one of the predefined electrode activation patterns;

visually indicating on the virtual representation of the implant lead, which electrodes correspond to one of the plurality of the subset of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern when a particular subset is user selected; and

activating the subsets of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern one subset at a time, wherein each activated subset of electrodes is adapted to deliver electrical stimulation to a different region of a spine of the patient.

43. The electronic apparatus of claim 42, wherein the tasks further comprise:

receiving patient feedback for the activating of each subset of electrodes.

44. The electronic apparatus of claim 43, wherein the tasks further comprise:

recommending a locational adjustment of the implant lead in response to the activating and the patient feedback.

45. The electronic apparatus of claim 44, wherein the recommending comprises:

identifying, based on the patient feedback, a region of the spine that offers the most pain reduction for the patient; and

recommending the locational adjustment of the implant lead in a manner such that one or more electrodes located near a center of the implant lead are aligned with the region of the spine that offers the most pain reduction for the patient.

46. The electronic apparatus of claim 42, wherein the activating comprises automatically activating the subsets of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern according to a plurality of predefined sequence steps, and wherein a different subset of electrodes is activated at each sequence step.

47. The electronic apparatus of claim 46, wherein the subsets of electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern are activated consecutively along a direction.

48. The electronic apparatus of claim 42, wherein the tasks further comprise:

displaying a virtual control mechanism; and

detecting, from a user, an engagement of the virtual control mechanism;

wherein the activating the subsets of electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern is performed in response to the detected engagement of the virtual control mechanism.

49. The electronic apparatus of claim 48, wherein the virtual control mechanism comprises one of:

a virtual slider, a virtual toggle, or a virtual joystick.

50. The electronic apparatus of claim 42, wherein the providing the predefined electrode activation pattern is performed such that the different subsets of electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern are segregated by virtual dividers on the virtual representation of the implant lead.

51. The electronic apparatus of claim 42, wherein the electrical stimulation parameters include at least one of:

current amplitude, pulse width, frequency, or electrode polarity.

52. The electronic apparatus of claim 42, wherein the input/output means comprises a screen, and wherein the providing the virtual representation of the implant lead and the providing the predefined electrode activation pattern comprise simultaneously displaying the virtual representation of the implant lead and the plurality of predefined electrode activation patterns on the screen.

53. The electronic apparatus of claim 52, wherein the tasks further comprise:

displaying, on the screen, a virtual representation of an anatomical environment containing a portion of the spine of the patient and a disposition of the implant lead with respect to the portion of the spine.

54. The electronic apparatus of claim 42, wherein the tasks further comprise displaying the electrical stimulation parameters for the subset of the electrodes of the user selected predefined electrode activation pattern.