System and method of establishing a protocol for providing electrical stimulation with a stimulation system to treat a patient
First Claim
1. An electronic apparatus for performing a computer-assisted stimulation programming of an implantable medical device, the electronic apparatus comprising:
- an electronic patient feedback device configured to generate signals in response to a voluntary tactile or visual engagement from a patient;
a first programming device configured to offer a first set of programming options for programming the implantable medical device; and
a second programming device configured to offer a second set of programming options for programming the implantable medical device, wherein the second set of programming options is greater than the first set of programming options, and wherein the second programming device includes;
a user interface configured to receive user input;
a memory storage component configured to store programming code; and
a computer processor configured to execute the programming code to perform the following operations;
determining a perception threshold for each of a plurality of contacts on a lead that is configured to be implanted inside the patient, wherein the determining comprises, determining, for each of the contacts, a respective minimum stimulation parameter that causes the patient to sense an electrical stimulation;
thereafter determining a paresthesia coverage for each of the plurality of contacts by automatically and steadily incrementing, for each of the contacts, a stimulation parameter from a respective starting value that is set to the perception threshold for said contact;
identifying, based on the determining of the paresthesia coverage, a subset of the contacts that offer paresthesia coverage for a pain area of the patient; and
performing, in response to the user input received through the user interface, stimulation programming using the subset of the contacts;
wherein the determining the perception threshold or the determining the paresthesia coverage is performed at least in part based on the signals generated by the electronic patient feedback device.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-assisted stimulation programming of an implantable medical device is performed. A perception threshold is determined for a plurality of contacts on a lead configured to be implanted inside a patient. The perception threshold is determined by automatically performing a first sweep of the plurality of contacts and automatically performing a second sweep of a stimulation parameter. A paresthesia coverage provided by the plurality of contacts is determined by automatically performing a third sweep of the plurality of contacts and automatically performing a fourth sweep of the stimulation parameter. The fourth sweep is performed based on the determined perception thresholds. The first sweep, the second sweep, the third sweep, and the fourth sweep are performed without needing a manual input from a human user. A subset of the contacts corresponding to the paresthesia coverage is selected. In response to user input, stimulation programming is performed using the subset of contacts.
52 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic apparatus for performing a computer-assisted stimulation programming of an implantable medical device, the electronic apparatus comprising:
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an electronic patient feedback device configured to generate signals in response to a voluntary tactile or visual engagement from a patient; a first programming device configured to offer a first set of programming options for programming the implantable medical device; and a second programming device configured to offer a second set of programming options for programming the implantable medical device, wherein the second set of programming options is greater than the first set of programming options, and wherein the second programming device includes; a user interface configured to receive user input; a memory storage component configured to store programming code; and a computer processor configured to execute the programming code to perform the following operations; determining a perception threshold for each of a plurality of contacts on a lead that is configured to be implanted inside the patient, wherein the determining comprises, determining, for each of the contacts, a respective minimum stimulation parameter that causes the patient to sense an electrical stimulation; thereafter determining a paresthesia coverage for each of the plurality of contacts by automatically and steadily incrementing, for each of the contacts, a stimulation parameter from a respective starting value that is set to the perception threshold for said contact; identifying, based on the determining of the paresthesia coverage, a subset of the contacts that offer paresthesia coverage for a pain area of the patient; and performing, in response to the user input received through the user interface, stimulation programming using the subset of the contacts; wherein the determining the perception threshold or the determining the paresthesia coverage is performed at least in part based on the signals generated by the electronic patient feedback device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A medical system, comprising:
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a lead configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via one or more of a plurality of contacts located on the lead; a pulse generator to which the lead is coupled, wherein the pulse generator is configured to generate the electrical stimulation; a patient programmer device configured to program the pulse generator; an electronic patient feedback device that includes one or more sensors, wherein the electronic patient feedback device is configured to produce an electronic patient feedback signal in response to a voluntary tactile or visual engagement by the patient, the electronic patient feedback device being different from the patient programmer device; and a clinician programmer device different from the patient programmer device, the clinician programmer being coupled to the pulse generator and to the electronic patient feedback device, wherein the clinician programmer device is configured to program the pulse generator to generate the electrical stimulation, and wherein the clinician programmer device includes; a memory storage component configured to store computer instructions; and a processor component configured to execute the computer instructions; wherein the computer instructions, when executed by the processor component, perform the following operations; determining a perception threshold for each of the plurality of contacts, wherein the determining comprises determining, for each of the contacts, a respective minimum stimulation parameter that causes the patient to sense an electrical stimulation; thereafter determining a paresthesia coverage for each of the plurality of contacts by automatically and steadily incrementing, for each of the contacts, a stimulation parameter from a respective starting value that is set to the perception threshold for said contact; identifying, based on the determining of the paresthesia coverage, a subset of the contacts that offer paresthesia coverage for a pain area of the patient; and performing, in response to user input, stimulation programming using the subset of the contacts. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of performing a computer-assisted stimulation programming of an implantable medical device, the method comprising:
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determining, via a clinician programming device, a perception threshold for each of a plurality of contacts on a lead that is configured to be implanted inside a patient, wherein the determining comprises, determining, for each of the contacts, a respective minimum stimulation parameter that causes the patient to sense an electrical stimulation, and wherein the clinician programming device is different from, and offers more programming options than, a patient programming device; thereafter determining, via a clinician programming device, a paresthesia coverage for each of the plurality of contacts by automatically and steadily incrementing, for each of the contacts, a stimulation parameter from a respective starting value that is set to the perception threshold for said contact; identifying, via a clinician programming device and based on the determining the paresthesia coverage, a subset of the contacts that offer paresthesia coverage for a pain area of the patient; and performing, via a clinician programming device and in response to user input, stimulation programming using the subset of the contacts; wherein the determining the perception threshold or the determining the paresthesia coverage is performed at least in part based on signals generated by an electronic patient feedback device in response to a voluntary tactile or visual engagement from the patient, the electronic patient feedback device being different from the patient programming device and the clinician programming device and including a pressure sensor to sense a variable force applied by the patient as the voluntary tactile engagement. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification