Patent classifications
A61N1/36182
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TAGGING STIMULATION FIELD MODELS WITH ASSOCIATED STIMULATION EFFECT TYPES
An example of a system for programming neurostimulation according to a stimulation configuration may include stimulation configuration circuitry, volume definition circuitry, stimulation effect circuitry, and recording circuitry. The stimulation configuration circuitry may be configured to determine the stimulation configuration. The volume definition circuitry may be configured to determine stimulation field model(s) (SFM(s)) each representing a volume of tissue activated by the neurostimulation. The stimulation effect circuitry may be configured to determine a stimulation effect type for each tagging point specified for the SFM(s) and to tag the SFM(s) at each tagging point with the stimulation effect type determined for that tagging point. The stimulation effect type for each tagging point is a type of stimulation resulting from the neurostimulation as measured at that tagging point. The recording circuitry may be configured to generate SFM data representing the determined SFM(s) with the stimulation effect type tagged at each tagging point.
Bipolar and tripolar confirguration for unidirectional stimulation of A-type nerve fibers
There is provided a neural interface device for unidirectional stimulation of a nerve including at least one A-type nerve fiber or at least one at least partially myelinated nerve fiber. The device includes an electrode arrangement for placing on or around the nerve. The electrode arrangement includes a first electrode configured to be positively charged and a second electrode configured to be negatively charged, where the surface area of the second electrode is larger than the surface area of first electrode.
Systems and methods for output channel architectures in implantable pulse generators
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for an output architecture for an implantable pulse generator of a neurostimulation system. The output architecture includes a power supply, a plurality of outputs, a global source current regulator coupled to the power supply and operable to source current from the power supply to the plurality of outputs through a plurality of source current branches, a global sink current regulator operable to sink current from the plurality of outputs to ground through a plurality of sink current branches, a current source branch selector operable to select, for each of the plurality of outputs, an amount of current sourced from the plurality of source current branches, and a current sink branch selector operable to select, for each of the plurality of outputs, an amount of current sunk to the plurality of sink current branches.
Therapy program selection for electrical stimulation therapy based on a volume of tissue activation
In some examples, a processor of a system evaluates a therapy program based on a score determined based on a volume of tissue expected to be activated (“VTA”) by therapy delivery according to the therapy program. The score may be determined using an efficacy map comprising a plurality of voxels that are each assigned a value. In some examples, the efficacy map is selected from a plurality of stored efficacy maps based on a patient condition, one or more patient symptoms, or both the patient condition and one or more patient symptoms. In addition, in some examples, voxels of the efficacy map are assigned respective values that are associated with a clinical rating scale.
Stimulation Configuration Variation to Control Evoked Temporal Patterns
Methods and systems for programming stimulation parameters for an implantable medical device for neuromodulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS) are disclosed. The stimulation parameters define user-configured waveforms having at least a first phase having a first polarity and a second phase having a second polarity, wherein the first and second phases are separated by an interphase interval (IPI). By delivering user-configured waveforms with different IPIs, stimulation geometry, and other waveform settings, therapeutic asynchronous activation of dorsal column fibers can be obtained.
System and method for mapping arbitrary electric fields to pre-existing lead electrodes
A system for a neurostimulator coupled to electrodes, and a method of providing therapy to a patient using the electrodes implanted within the patient. A target multipole relative to the electrodes is defined. The target multipole is emulated by defining an initial electrical current distribution for the electrodes, such that a first set of active electrodes respectively has electrical current values of a first polarity. Each of the electrical current values of the first polarity is compared to a first threshold value, and at least one of the electrodes in the first active electrode set is zeroed-out based on the comparison. The electrical current value of each of the zeroed-out electrode(s) is redistributed to remaining ones of the electrodes to define a new electrical current distribution for the electrodes. Electrical current is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the new electrical current distribution, thereby providing the therapy.
SELECTIVE HIGH FREQUENCY SPINAL CORD MODULATION FOR INHIBITING PAIN WITH REDUCED SIDE EFFECTS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
SYSTEMS FOR USING LOCAL FIELD POTENTIAL OSCILLATIONS
A system may include a neuromodulator, a local field potential sensor, a feature extractor, a comparator and control circuitry. The neuromodulator may be configured to use neuromodulation parameters to deliver a neuromodulation signal to neural tissue in or near a spinal cord. The LFP sensor may be configured to sense local field potentials within a spinal cord or a peripheral nerve that are indicative of spinal cord oscillations. The feature extractor may be configured to extract one or more features for the local field potentials indicative of the spinal cord oscillations. The comparator may be configured to provide a comparison of the one or more extracted features to corresponding one or more setpoints. The control circuitry may be configured to control the delivery of the neuromodulation signal based on the comparison.
Nerve stimulation device for unidirectional stimulation and current steering
A nerve interface device including at least one cuff portion having an assembled position in which the cuff portion forms at least part of a passageway for receiving a nerve along a longitudinal axis passing through the passageway; and first and second rings of electrodes mounted on the at least one cuff portion, each ring of electrodes including a plurality of electrodes. Each electrode in the first ring has a corresponding longitudinally-aligned electrode in the second ring so as to form a plurality of pairs of electrodes spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis. The plurality of pairs of electrodes includes at least a first pair of electrodes, the first pair of electrodes mounted on the at least one cuff portion. The at least one cuff portion includes an asymmetric configuration about a central axis perpendicular to the longitudinal cuff axis.
Methods and apparatus for intravascularly-induced neuromodulation
Methods and apparatus are provided for intravascularly-induced neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field, e.g., to effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, changes in cytokine upregulation, etc., in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, the intravascular PEF system comprises a catheter having a pair of bipolar electrodes for delivering the PEF, with a first electrode positioned on a first side of an impedance-altering element and a second electrode positioned on an opposing side of the impedance-altering element. A length of the electrodes, as well as a separation distance between the first and second electrodes, may be specified such that, with the impedance-altering element deployed in a manner that locally increases impedance within a patient's vessel, e.g., with the impedance-altering element deployed into contact with the vessel wall at a treatment site within the patient's vasculature, a magnitude of applied voltage delivered across the bipolar electrodes necessary to achieve desired neuromodulation is reduced relative to an intravascular PEF system having similarly spaced electrodes but no (or an undeployed) impedance-altering element. In a preferred embodiment, the impedance-altering element comprises an inflatable balloon configured to locally increase impedance within a patient's vasculature. The methods and apparatus of the present invention may be used to modulate a neural fiber that contributes to renal function.