Systems and methods for automatically optimizing stimulus parameters and electrode configurations for neuro-stimulators

• US 8,195,300 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2011
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gliner, Bradford Evan, Balzer, Jeffrey, Firlik, Andrew D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIETRICH, JOSEPH M
• Application Number:
  US13/101,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20110208264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 607/45, 607/46
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36021 for treatment of pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36025 for treating a mental or cerebral condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36071 Pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

Methods and devices for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient. In one embodiment, a system includes an electrode array having an implantable support member configured to be implanted into the patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member. The system can also have a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes to deliver a stimulus to the therapy electrodes, and a sensing device configured to be attached to a sensing location of the patient. The sensing device generates response signals in response to the stimulus. The system can also include a controller operatively coupled to the pulse system and to the sensing device. The controller includes a computer operable medium that generates command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system, evaluates the response signals from the sensing device, and determines a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing therapeutic stimulation parameters for a patient suffering from pain or depression using therapy electrodes that have been positioned at a target therapy site within the central nervous system, the method comprising:

applying an electrical stimulus at a sub-threshold current intensity level relative to a threshold level for neurons at the target therapy site;

sensing a response to the electrical stimulus at a sensing device that has been positioned at a sense location of the patient;

selecting an alternate stimulus parameter while maintaining a constant electrode configuration, wherein the alternate stimulus parameter comprises decreasing the sub-threshold current intensity to a lower level;

applying the alternate stimulus parameter;

correlating a change in a sensed response to determine a stimulus/response relationship that is expected to improve efficacy according to the stimulus/response relationship;

repeating the applying, sensing, selecting and correlating procedures using the alternate stimulus parameter;

choosing the electrical stimulus corresponding to the sensed response that is within a desired range and/or provides a better result compared to other sensed responses; and

repeating (a) the decreasing the sub-threshold current intensity to a lower level, (b) re-applying decreased sub-threshold stimulus the lower current intensity to the neurons, and (c) further determining whether application of the decreased sub-threshold current intensity further decreased a membrane activation threshold for the population of neurons until the membrane activation threshold by or to a selected level.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein applying a sub-threshold electrical stimulus includes applying the electrical stimulus from a location within the patient'"'"'s skull, external to a cortical surface of the patient'"'"'s brain.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein applying the electrical stimulus includes applying the electrical stimulus at a sub-cortical location.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein applying the electrical stimulus includes applying the electrical stimulus to a deep brain location.