Neuromodulation therapy system and method

• US 20020116036A1
• Filed: 04/11/2002
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Deffner, Gerhard P., Erickson, John, Daignault, Richard J. Jr., Egemo, Rob, Fee, Robert W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,107,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain

Abstract

A neuromodulation therapy system includes a programmer and a stimulation system. The stimulation system is capable of storing multiple data sets, each data set effecting an independent therapy. The stimulation system includes a display mechanism that can display certain imagery to distinguish visually one therapy from another therapy.

Claims

1. For a neuromodulation system having a memory to store a plurality of independent instructions to effect an equal number of stimulation profiles, method for providing an identifier to enable a visual recognition of a functionality of each instruction, the steps comprising:

creating an instruction data file, which includes a plurality of variables that operatively defines a therapeutic application, to effect a stimulation profile when executed;

executing the instruction data file;

generating a graphical anatomical representation that effectively depicts a perceived stimulation profile;

assessing the anatomical representation and generating a representative graphical image; and

modifying the instruction data file to include data corresponding to the representative graphical image.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the anatomical representation is comprised of a plurality of source images.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the anatomical representation consists of a posterior-related image and an anterior-related image.

4. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the step of assessing the anatomical representation and generating the representative graphical image involves merging the plurality of source images into a single image.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the anatomical representation is formed by a plurality of regions.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein the anatomical representation is comprised of a plurality of source images, and each source image is formed by a plurality of related regions.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the step of assessing the anatomical representation and generating the representative graphical image includes effectively merging the plurality of source images, on a region-by-region basis, into a single image.

8. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the step of assessing the anatomical representation and generating the representative graphical image includes effectively merging the plurality of images, on a region-by-region basis, into a single image having fewer regions than a source image of the anatomical representation.

9. For a neuromodulation system having a storage structure to store a plurality of independent settings to effect an equal number of stimulation profiles, a memory device including stored instructions, executable by a computer, the instructions enabling a method for providing an identifier to facilitate a visual recognition of a functionality of each setting, the method comprising the steps of:

creating a setting data file, which includes a plurality of variables that operatively defines a neuromodulation application, to effect a stimulation profile when executed;

executing the setting data file;

generating an anatomical representation that embodies a patient-perceived stimulation profile;

assessing the anatomical representation and generating a representative graphical image; and

modifying the setting data file to include data corresponding to the representative graphical image.