Impedance matching and electrode conditioning in patient interface systems
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode configured to electrically and chronically engage neural tissue of a patient, wherein neural tissue is brain tissue or spinal cord tissue; and
a processor in communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, the processor configured to;
receive electrical signals representative of a patients physiological activity;
determine a first relative impedance difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein an impedance of the first electrode is greater than an impedance of the second electrode;
cause the impedance of the first electrode to decrease by controlling a stimulation generator to provide a first impedance-reducing stimulation pulse from the first electrode based on the determined relative impedance difference, such that the first relative impedance difference between the first electrode and the second electrode is reduced, wherein the impedance-reducing pulse comprises pulse characteristics configured to reduce a localized electrode-to-neural tissue impedance, wherein an extent of the localized electrode-to-neural tissue impedance reduction effect is less than a distance between the first electrode and a nearest adjacent electrode;
determine a second relative impedance difference between the first electrode and the second electrode;
in response to the second relative impedance difference exceeding a predetermined threshold, cause the impedance of the first electrode to decrease by controlling the stimulation generator to provide a second impedance-reducing stimulation pulse from the first electrode based on the determined relative impedance difference, such that the second relative impedance difference between the first electrode and the second electrode is reduced;
determine a third relative impedance difference between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
in response to the third relative impedance difference satisfying the predetermined threshold, receive subsequent electrical signals with the first electrode and the second electrode having the reduced relative impedance difference.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and method may be used for interfacing with a patient. Systems may include a plurality of electrodes in electrical communication with a processor. The processor may determine a relative impedance difference between a first electrode and a second electrode, and apply a sub-therapeutic stimulation pulse to one of the first and second electrodes to adjust the relative impedance difference therebetween. Systems may include a processor capable of one or both of providing therapeutic stimulation to a patient via at least one electrode, and receiving electrical signals indicative of the patient'"'"'s physiological activity. In some examples, the processor may simultaneously provide therapeutic stimulation to a patient and receive electrical signals from the patient indicative of the patient'"'"'s physiological activity.
55 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode configured to electrically and chronically engage neural tissue of a patient, wherein neural tissue is brain tissue or spinal cord tissue; and a processor in communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, the processor configured to; receive electrical signals representative of a patients physiological activity; determine a first relative impedance difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein an impedance of the first electrode is greater than an impedance of the second electrode; cause the impedance of the first electrode to decrease by controlling a stimulation generator to provide a first impedance-reducing stimulation pulse from the first electrode based on the determined relative impedance difference, such that the first relative impedance difference between the first electrode and the second electrode is reduced, wherein the impedance-reducing pulse comprises pulse characteristics configured to reduce a localized electrode-to-neural tissue impedance, wherein an extent of the localized electrode-to-neural tissue impedance reduction effect is less than a distance between the first electrode and a nearest adjacent electrode; determine a second relative impedance difference between the first electrode and the second electrode; in response to the second relative impedance difference exceeding a predetermined threshold, cause the impedance of the first electrode to decrease by controlling the stimulation generator to provide a second impedance-reducing stimulation pulse from the first electrode based on the determined relative impedance difference, such that the second relative impedance difference between the first electrode and the second electrode is reduced; determine a third relative impedance difference between the first electrode and the second electrode; and in response to the third relative impedance difference satisfying the predetermined threshold, receive subsequent electrical signals with the first electrode and the second electrode having the reduced relative impedance difference. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification