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

• US 9,592,388 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2010
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nevro Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nevro Corporation
• Inventors: Parker, Jon, Thacker, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertram, Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US12/765,810
• Publication Number:
  US 20100274317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,518 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 computer-implemented method for controlling modulation signals applied to a patient'"'"'s spinal cord, comprising:

presenting a graphical representation of a region of the patient'"'"'s spine;

presenting a graphical indication of modulation signal amplitude levels available for application to the patient'"'"'s spinal cord, oriented orthogonal to the graphical representation of a region of the patient'"'"'s spine;

presenting a graphical indication of multiple patient pain levels relative to the graphical representation of the patient'"'"'s spine and the graphical indication of modulation signal amplitude levels;

receiving a user input corresponding to a target location at the patient'"'"'s spinal cord;

based at least in part on the input received, automatically selecting a pair of electrical contacts of an elongated spinal cord lead;

automatically delivering a modulation signal to the patient'"'"'s spinal cord via the pair of electrical contacts at a frequency of from about 3 kHz to about 50 kHz;

automatically designating at least one of the contacts as an anode or a cathode without or independent of any user input; and

preventing the user from designating the at least one of the contacts as an anode or a cathode.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the user input is a first user input, and wherein the method further comprises receiving a second user input corresponding to a target amplitude of the modulation signal.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the user input includes receiving the user input via an input device that is coupled to a pulse generator.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the user input includes receiving the user input via a remote input device that is wirelessly coupled to an implanted pulse generator.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a representative pain score correlated with at least one of a modulation location and a modulation amplitude.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting a graphical therapy location identifier; and

wherein receiving the user input includes receiving the user input as the user moves the graphical therapy location identifier relative to the graphical representation of the patient'"'"'s spine.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting a graphical indication of an amplitude selected for a therapeutic modulation signal.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the user input is a first user input and wherein the method further comprises:

presenting a graphical indication of a signal delivery device that carries the pair of electrical contacts; and

updating the graphical indication of the signal delivery device based at least in part on a second user input.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the user input includes receiving a user input corresponding to a vertebral level.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the pair of electrical contacts of the elongated spinal cord lead are configured as a bipole electrode configuration.

11. A computer-implemented method for controlling modulation signals applied to a patient'"'"'s spinal cord, comprising:

receiving a user input corresponding to a target location at the patient'"'"'s spinal cord;

based on the input received, automatically selecting a pair of electrical contacts;

presenting a graphical representation of a region of the patient'"'"'s spine;

presenting a graphical indication of modulation signal amplitude levels available for application to the patient'"'"'s spinal cord, oriented orthogonal to the graphical representation of a region of the patient'"'"'s spine;

presenting a graphical indication of multiple patient pain levels relative to the graphical representation of the patient'"'"'s spine and the graphical indication of modulation signal amplitude levels;

presenting a graphical therapy location identifier; and

wherein receiving the user input includes receiving the user input as the user moves the graphical therapy location identifier relative to the graphical representation of the patient'"'"'s spine using a drag and drop routine; and

automatically delivering a modulation signal to the patient'"'"'s spinal cord via the pair of electrical contacts at a frequency of from about 3 kHz to about 50 kHz.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein automatically selecting a pair of electrical contacts includes automatically selecting a pair of contacts of an elongated spinal cord lead.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the user input is a first user input, and wherein the method further comprises receiving a second user input corresponding to a target amplitude of the modulation signal.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein receiving the user input includes receiving the user input via an input device that is coupled to a pulse generator.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein receiving the user input includes receiving the user input via a remote input device that is wirelessly coupled to an implanted pulse generator.