Variation of neural-stimulation parameters
First Claim
1. A neural-stimulation method comprising:
- measuring a strength-duration curve for neural excitation for at least one of a patient'"'"'s neurons, the measuring of the strength-duration curve including measuring a plurality of stimulation-amplitude values at a corresponding plurality of stimulation-pulse durations and observing whether a desired clinical outcome is achieved, the desired clinical outcome including the reduction of tremor via thalamic stimulation;
providing neural stimulation having a plurality of stimulation parameters including a stimulation amplitude, a stimulation frequency, a stimulation pulse duration, an electrode-firing pattern, and a set of one or more electrode-polarity-firing conditions;
pseudo-randomly varying at least a first of the stimulation parameters; and
changing a value of a second of the stimulation parameters based upon having pseudo-randomly varied the first stimulation parameter and based upon a predetermined relationship that specifies how changes in the first parameter affect desirable values for the second parameter, the predetermined relationship substantially similar to the strength-duration curve for neural excitation.
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Abstract
Techniques for varying stimulus parameters used in neural stimulation to improve therapy efficacy, minimize energy consumption, minimize undesired side effects, and minimize loss of therapeutic effectiveness due to physiologic tolerance to stimulation. Neural stimulation is provided having a stimulation amplitude, a stimulation frequency, a stimulation pulse duration, an electrode-firing pattern, and a set of electrode-firing-polarity conditions. At least one of the stimulation parameters is pseudo-randomly varied. A second stimulation parameter is changed based upon having pseudo-randomly varied the first stimulation parameter and based upon a predetermined relationship specifying how changes in the first parameter affect desirable values for the second parameter.
193 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A neural-stimulation method comprising:
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measuring a strength-duration curve for neural excitation for at least one of a patient'"'"'s neurons, the measuring of the strength-duration curve including measuring a plurality of stimulation-amplitude values at a corresponding plurality of stimulation-pulse durations and observing whether a desired clinical outcome is achieved, the desired clinical outcome including the reduction of tremor via thalamic stimulation; providing neural stimulation having a plurality of stimulation parameters including a stimulation amplitude, a stimulation frequency, a stimulation pulse duration, an electrode-firing pattern, and a set of one or more electrode-polarity-firing conditions; pseudo-randomly varying at least a first of the stimulation parameters; and changing a value of a second of the stimulation parameters based upon having pseudo-randomly varied the first stimulation parameter and based upon a predetermined relationship that specifies how changes in the first parameter affect desirable values for the second parameter, the predetermined relationship substantially similar to the strength-duration curve for neural excitation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification