System and method using multiple timing channels for electrode adjustement during set up of an implanted stimulator device

• US 20070239228A1
• Filed: 04/07/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Bradley, Kerry
• Granted Patent: US 7,805,197 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration

Abstract

Methods using multiple timing channels for electrode adjustment during set up of an implanted stimulator device are disclosed. In one embodiment, at least two conditions of electrodes (i.e., electrode combinations, pulse widths, pulse frequencies, pulse amplitudes) can be “simultaneously” tested by providing each condition in its own timing channel. In a preferred embodiment, the pulses in each of the timing channels are interleaved and non-overlapping to preserve the ability of the patient to assess the therapeutic feel of both and to allow some time between pulses for recovery. As well as allowing two sets of electrode conditions to be gauged at the same time, the technique allows the electrode to be manipulated during set up with ease and with a reduced possibility of providing the patient with erroneous results. For example, the two conditions in the two timing channels can comprise initial and target final conditions, and transitioning between from one to the other during device set up is facilitated as compared to the prior art because concerns with electrodes having inconsistent properties in both conditions are alleviated.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting electrodes on an implanted stimulator device during set up, comprising:

defining a first timing channel which provides a first set of stimulation pulses to at least one electrode on the implanted stimulator device;

defining at least one second timing channel which provides at least a second set of stimulation pulses to at least one electrode on the implanted stimulator device; and

simultaneously activating the first and second sets of stimulation pulses, wherein the first and second sets of stimulation pulses are non-overlapping in the first and second timing channels.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein simultaneously activating the first and second sets of stimulation pulses comprises interleaving the pulses in the first and second sets.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second sets of pulses have the same frequency.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second sets of pulses are non-overlapping so as to allow for recovery after either of the pulses in the first or second sets.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second sets of pulses are simultaneously activated using a wireless programmer external to a patient in which the stimulator device is implanted.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second timing channels define which electrodes act as source or sink electrodes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein simultaneously activating the first and second sets of stimulation pulses comprises first activating the first set of stimulation pulses, and then adding the second set of stimulation pulses to the already-active first set of stimulation pulses.

8. A method for adjusting electrodes on an implanted stimulator device during set up, comprising:

applying a first set of stimulation conditions in a first timing channel to at least one electrode on the implanted stimulator device; and

using a programmer external to the implanted stimulator device to wirelessly apply a second set of stimulation conditions in a second timing channel to at least one electrode on the implanted stimulator device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second sets of stimulation conditions define pulses of the same frequency.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second sets of stimulation conditions define pulses of the same pulse width.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second sets of stimulation conditions define pulses that are non-overlapping.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second sets of stimulation conditions define pulses that are interleaved.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second timing channels define which electrodes act as source or sink electrodes.

14. A method for adjusting electrodes during set up of a stimulator device implanted in a patient, comprising:

defining a first timing channel which provides a first set of stimulation pulses to at least one electrode on the implanted stimulator device;

defining at least one second timing channel which provides at least a second set of stimulation pulses to at least one electrode on the implanted stimulator device;

and

using a programmer external to the implanted stimulator device to gradually transition from activating the first set of stimulation pulses to activating the second set of stimulation pulses.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second sets of pulses have the same frequency.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second sets of pulses are interleaved.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second sets of pulses are non-overlapping in the first and second timing channels.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second timing channels define which electrodes act as source or sink electrodes.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein gradually transitiong from activating the first set of stimulation pulses to activating the second set of stimulation pulses comprises incrementally adding to an amplitude of the second set of stimulation pulses.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein gradually transitiong from activating the first set of stimulation pulses to activating the second set of stimulation pulses comprises incrementally adding to an amplitude of the second set of stimulation pulses while incrementally subtracting from an amplitude of the first set of stimulation pulses.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein gradually transitioning from activating the first set of stimulation pulses to activating the second set of stimulation pulses comprises incrementally adding to an amplitude of the second set of stimulation pulses, and then incrementally subtracting from an amplitude of the first set of stimulation pulses.

22. A method for adjusting electrodes during set up of a stimulator device implanted in a patient, comprising:

defining a first timing channel which provides a first set of stimulation pulses of a first magnitude to at least one electrode on the implanted stimulator device;

defining at least one second timing channel which provides at least a second set of stimulation pulses to at least one electrode on the implanted stimulator device; and

using a programmer external to the implanted stimulator device to gradually increase a magnitude of the second set of stimulation pulses while maintaining the first magnitude of the first set of stimulation pulses.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first and second sets of pulses have the same frequency.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the first and second sets of pulses are interleaved.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the first and second sets of pulses are non-overlapping in the first and second timing channels.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the first and second timing channels define which electrodes act as source or sink electrodes.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein gradually increasing the magnitude of the second set of stimulation pulses comprises incrementally adding to the magnitude of the second set of stimulation pulses.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising, once the second set of stimulation pulses increase to a second magnitude, using the programmer to gradually decrease a magnitude of the first set of stimulation pulses while maintaining the second magnitude of the second set of stimulation pulses.

29. A method for adjusting electrodes on an implanted stimulator device during set up, comprising:

applying a first set of stimulation conditions in a first timing channel to a first set of electrodes on the implanted stimulator device; and

gradually applying a second set of stimulation conditions in a second timing channel to a second set of electrodes on the implanted stimulator device without modifying the first set of stimulation conditions in the first timing channel.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first and second sets of stimulation conditions define pulses of the same frequency.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the first and second sets of stimulation conditions define pulses of the same pulse width.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the first and second timing channels define which electrodes act as source or sink electrodes.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the first and second sets of stimulation conditions define pulses that are interleaved.