| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090018617 | PARAMETER-DIRECTED SHIFTING OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ELECTRODE COMBINATIONS - The disclosure provides techniques for parameter-directed shifting of electrical stimulation electrode combinations having substantially similar electrode patterns. An external programmer permits a user to shift electrode combinations along the length of a lead or leads. The external programmer accepts parameter-directed shift input and causes an electrical stimulator to shift electrode combinations as indicated. The external programmer may present an electrode combination as a parameter that can be adjusted or selected to shift the electrode combination along the length of a lead. An electrode combination may be presented as a value that can be incremented, decremented, or otherwise adjusted to indicate a shift in a desired direction. An external programmer that permits a patient or other user to shift electrode combinations in a manner similar to adjustments of other parameters may enable the patient to maintain or improve therapeutic efficacy. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090018619 | SHIFTING OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ELECTRODE COMBINATIONS AMONG DIFFERENTLY SIZED ELECTRODE ARRAYS - The disclosure provides techniques for parameter-directed shifting of electrical stimulation electrode combinations. An external programmer permits a user to shift electrode combinations, e.g., along the length of a lead or leads. The external programmer accepts shift input and causes an electrical stimulator to shift electrode combinations as indicated by the input. Different sets of electrodes may have different electrode counts. For example, an array of electrodes carried by one lead may have a greater number of electrodes than an array of electrodes carried on another lead. The disclosure provides techniques for shifting electrode combinations among leads with different electrode counts. For example, an external programmer may execute shifts in a series of shift operations, where the number of shift operations along the length of a lead having a greater electrode count is greater than the number of shift steps along the length of a lead having a lesser electrode count. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090132009 | DETERMINATION OF STIMULATION OUTPUT CAPABILITIES THROUGHOUT POWER SOURCE VOLTAGE RANGE - Techniques for determining whether a medical device will be able to deliver stimulation according to a particular program throughout a voltage range of a power source of the medical device are described. According to some examples, the medical device simulates a power source voltage level lower than a present voltage level of the power source, and delivers stimulation according to the program while simulating the lower power source voltage level. Whether medical device will be able to deliver stimulation according to the program when the power source is actually at the lower voltage level is determined based on an electrical parameter measured during the delivery of stimulation while simulating the lower voltage level. The simulation and determination for a program may be performed, as an example, when the program is created or modified. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090259278 | PROGRAMMABLE WAVEFORM PULSES FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Apparatus and method provide flexibility in generating a stimulation waveform to an electrode of an Implantable Neuro Stimulator (INS). The stimulation waveform is synthesized for each rate period interval. Each rate period interval is partitioned into time intervals, during which stimulation pulses, recharging, and time duration delays may be induced. With the embodiment of the invention, a second stimulation pulse, having different electrical characteristics than a first stimulation pulse, may be generated during the rate period interval. An embodiment utilizes apparatus comprising a waveform controller and a waveform generator that are controlled by the waveform controller. The waveform controller uses waveform parameters to instruct the waveform generator to form stimulation pulses. Any of the components may be adjusted or deleted in the generation of the stimulation waveform. The embodiment enables any of the associated waveform parameters to be updated at the waveform controller in order to alter the stimulation waveform. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090264956 | PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER THERAPY CONTROL - A therapy system for managing a psychiatric disorder of the patient may be controlled based on a patient mood state. Therapy may be delivered to a patient according to a therapy program, and a physiological parameter of the patient may be monitored during or after therapy delivery. The patient mood state may be determined based on the monitored physiological parameter, and the therapy delivery may be controlled based on the determined mood state. In some embodiments, the therapy delivery is stopped prior to determining the patient mood state and the therapy delivery is restarted upon detecting a negative mood state. In other embodiments, therapy delivery is delivered until a positive mood state is detected, at which point the therapy delivery may be stopped. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090276007 | MULTI-STAGE TESTING OF ELECTRODES OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD - Method, controller and system for an implantable medical device capable of delivering therapeutic stimulation through a plurality of electrodes. A control module is operable to conduct a plurality of measurements of impedance values creating a plurality of measured impedance values for a plurality of selected sets of individual ones of the plurality of electrodes based on a plurality of active parameters. The control module conducts the plurality of measurements of impedance values in a plurality of stages in which at least one of said plurality of active parameters is varied between individual ones of the plurality of stages. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090276010 | FLAGGING OF ELECTRODES OF AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE, CONTROLLER, SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFORE - Method, controller and system for an implantable medical device having a plurality of electrodes, the implantable medical device capable of delivering therapeutic stimulation to a patient, comprising a control module, a user interface operatively coupled to the control module, the user interface providing control of the control module by a medical professional or other user, and an electrode interface operatively coupled between the plurality of electrodes and the control module. The control module uses the electrode interface to obtain a plurality of measurements of impedance values for a plurality of selected pairs of individual ones of the plurality of electrodes. The control module flags electrodes using the plurality of measurements of impedance values of the selected pairs of individual ones of the plurality of electrodes comparative to a range, and the delivery of therapy on flagged electrodes is inhibited. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20100030286 | DISTRIBUTED LEAD FUNCTIONALITY TESTING - Techniques for performing lead functionality tests, e.g., lead impedance tests, for implantable electrical leads are described. In some of the described embodiments, an implantable medical device determines whether a patient is in a target activity state, e.g., an activity state in which lead impedance testing will be unobtrusive, such as when a patient is asleep, or capture information of particular interest, such as when the patient is active, in a particular posture, or changing postures. The implantable medical device performs the lead functionality test based on this determination. Additionally, in some embodiments, the implantable medical device may group a plurality of measurements for a single lead functionality test into a plurality of sessions, and perform the measurement sessions interleaved with delivery of therapeutic stimulation. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100106219 | ADAPTABLE CURRENT REGULATOR FOR DELIVERY OF CURRENT-BASED ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY - A medical electrical stimulator provides selective control of stimulation via a combination of two or more electrodes coupled to respective regulated current paths and one or more electrodes coupled to unregulated current paths. Constant current sources may control the current that is sourced or sunk via respective regulated current paths. An unregulated current path may sink or source current to and from an unregulated voltage source that serves as a reference voltage. Unregulated electrodes may function as unregulated anodes to source current from a reference voltage or unregulated cathodes to sink current to a reference voltage. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100106231 | MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DELIVERY OF CURRENT-BASED ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY - A medical electrical stimulator provides selective control of stimulation via a combination of two or more electrodes coupled to respective regulated current paths and one or more electrodes coupled to unregulated current paths. Constant current sources may control the current that is sourced or sunk via respective regulated current paths. An unregulated current path may sink or source current to and from an unregulated voltage source that serves as a reference voltage. Unregulated electrodes may function as unregulated anodes to source current from a reference voltage or unregulated cathodes to sink current to a reference voltage. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100114252 | DETERMINATION OF STIMULATION OUTPUT CAPABILITIES THROUGHOUT POWER SOURCE VOLTAGE RANGE - Techniques for determining whether a medical device will be able to deliver stimulation according to a particular program throughout a useable voltage range of a power source of the medical device are described. According to some examples, the medical device charges a charge pump to a level sufficient to provide a stimulation output according to a stimulation program, determines a length of time that the charge pump charges at the present power source voltage level, and determines a time between stimulation pulses of the stimulation program. Whether the medical device will be able to deliver stimulation according to the program when the power source is at a power source voltage level lower than the present voltage level is determined based on the length of time the charge pump charges at the present voltage level of the power source and the time between stimulation pulses. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100114257 | DETERMINATION OF STIMULATION OUTPUT CAPABILITIES THROUGHOUT POWER SOURCE VOLTAGE RANGE - Techniques for determining whether a medical device will be able to deliver stimulation according to a particular program throughout a useable voltage range of a power source of the medical device are described. According to some examples, the medical device configures a DC to DC converter of the medical device in a specified output configuration and delivers electrical stimulation from the medical device according to a program while at the specified output configuration. Whether the medical device will be able to deliver stimulation according to the program when the power source is at a power source voltage level lower than a present voltage level used during therapy delivery is determined based on a value of a voltage drop across a regulator module determined while delivering the electrical stimulation according to the program. The determination for a program may be performed, as an example, when the program is created or modified. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100121215 | SEIZURE DETECTION ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT - A medical system implements a seizure detection algorithm to detect a seizure based on a first patient parameter. The medical system monitors a second patient parameter to adjust the seizure detection algorithm. In some examples, the medical system determines whether a seizure for which therapy delivery is desirable occurred based on a second patient parameter. If a target seizure occurred, and the seizure detection algorithm did not detect the target seizure, the medical system adjusts the seizure detection algorithm to detect the target seizure. For example, the medical system may determine a first patient parameter characteristic indicative of the target seizure detected based on the second patient parameter and store the first patient parameter characteristic as part of the seizure detection algorithm. In some examples, the first patient parameter is an electrical brain signal and the second patient parameter is patient activity (e.g., patient motion or posture). | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100234921 | Battery recharge management for implantable medical device - An implantable medical device having an implantable power source such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The implantable medical device includes a recharge module that regulates the recharging process of the implantable power source using closed-loop feedback control. The recharge module includes a recharge regulator, a recharge measurement device monitoring at least one recharge parameter, and a recharge regulation control unit for regulating the recharge energy delivered to the power source in response to the recharge measurement device. The recharge module adjusts the energy provided to the power source to ensure that the power source is being recharged under safe levels. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100274320 | CHARGE-BASED STIMULATION INTENSITY PROGRAMMING WITH PULSE AMPLITUDE AND WIDTH ADJUSTED ACCORDING TO A FUNCTION - Techniques for programming electrical stimulation therapy intensity based on electrical charge are described. In some examples, a display presents a stimulation intensity value in units of electrical charge, e.g., Coulombs. In such examples, a user may adjust the displayed charge value, rather than pulse amplitude or pulse width, to adjust the intensity of the electrical stimulation therapy. In some examples, a processor determines modifications to pulse amplitude and pulse width based on the modification to the charge value. In some examples, a processor modifies a pulse amplitude and width to achieve a desired charge, while maintaining a relationship between pulse amplitude and width specified by a predetermined function. In some examples, the function may be programmed, e.g., selected or adjusted, by a user. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20110077720 | BATTERY RECHARGE MANAGEMENT FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable medical device having an implantable power source such as a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The implantable medical device includes a recharge module that regulates the recharging process of the implantable power source using closed-loop feedback control. The recharge module includes a recharge regulator, a recharge measurement device monitoring at least one recharge parameter, and a recharge regulation control unit for regulating the recharge energy delivered to the power source in response to the recharge measurement device. The recharge module adjusts the energy provided to the power source to ensure that the power source is being recharged under safe levels. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110093030 | MANAGING ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY BASED ON VARIABLE ELECTRODE COMBINATIONS - Various programming techniques are described for medical devices that deliver electrical stimulation therapy that may include mapping between discrete electrical stimulation parameters and a graphical view of the electrical stimulation representing a stimulation zone generated by the parameters. In one example, a method includes receiving, via a programmer for an electrical stimulator, user input that graphically manipulates at least one of size and a shape of a graphical representation of at least one electrical stimulation zone displayed on the programmer, and defining a program to control delivery of electrical stimulation therapy based on the user input. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110093041 | ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY USING DECAYING CURRENT PULSES - This disclosure describes generation of electrical stimulation pulses for electrical stimulation therapy. The stimulation pulses have a pulse current level and pulse width, and may be generated by a current regulator. The pulse voltage level may be a voltage level delivered by the current regulator while maintaining regulation of the pulse current level. During delivery of a pulse, a supply voltage level may decrease due to discharging of a supply capacitance, and the pulse voltage level may increase due to charging of a load capacitance. The pulse current level may be controlled to decrease during the pulse width such that a sum of the pulse voltage level and a headroom voltage of the current regulator does not exceed the supply voltage level. In some examples, the pulse may include sub-pulses with different sub-pulse current levels, where an earlier sub-pulse has a higher pulse current level than a later sub-pulse. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110093042 | STIMULATION WITH UTILIZATION OF CASE ELECTRODE - This disclosure describes techniques that support delivering electrical stimulation via an electrode on a housing of an implantable medical device (IMD) while substantially simultaneously delivering electrical stimulation via one or more electrodes, having the same polarity as the electrode on the housing, on one or more leads engaged to the IMD. The stimulation may be constant current-based or constant voltage-based stimulation in the form of pulses or continuous waveforms. Delivery of stimulation via both a housing anode and one or more lead anodes, for example, may allow a user to control current paths between the housing electrode and the lead electrode(s) in a relative manner to achieve different electric or stimulation field shapes. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110093043 | PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES FOR STIMULATION WITH UTILIZATION OF CASE ELECTRODE - This disclosure describes techniques that support delivering electrical stimulation via an electrode on a housing of an implantable medical device (IMD) while substantially simultaneously delivering electrical stimulation via one or more electrodes, having the same polarity as the electrode on the housing, on one or more leads engaged to the IMD. The stimulation may be constant current-based or constant voltage-based stimulation in the form of pulses or continuous waveforms. Delivery of stimulation via both a housing anode and one or more lead anodes, for example, may allow a user to control current paths between the housing electrode and the lead electrode(s) in a relative manner to achieve different electric or stimulation field shapes. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110093047 | STORING IMAGE OF THERAPY REGION IN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - This disclosure describes techniques for obtaining an image of an anatomical implant region where leads associated with an implantable medical device are implanted in a patient, manipulating the image to show lead locations and placements, performing necessary image compression and manipulations, adjusting the image to associate it with information (e.g., patient, metadata, annotations, etc.) useful to a subsequent programmer retrieving the image, and transferring a copy of the captured image to the implantable medical device. The image stored in the implantable medical device may be retrieved at a later time by a user of programmer, where the user can use the image and other associated information to program subsequent therapy. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110106213 | USER INTERFACE FOR OPTIMIZING ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN A NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM - In one aspect, a programmer for an implantable medical device comprises a user interface that receives user input corresponding to one or more selected stimulation therapy parameters for delivering stimulation therapy to a patient with the implantable medical device and presents an energy consumption estimate of a power source based on the selected stimulation therapy parameters; and a processor that determines one or more programming options that, if selected, would alter the selected stimulation therapy parameters and reduce the energy consumption estimate. The user interface presents at least one of the programming options to reduce the energy consumption estimate to the user with an indication that user selection of one or more of the presented programming options would alter the selected stimulation therapy parameters to reduce energy consumption of the implantable medical device. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110125214 | MEDICAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION WITH EXTERNAL SIMULATED CASE ELECTRODE - This disclosure describes delivery of omnipolar electrical stimulation with an external electrical stimulator. Omnipolar electrical stimulation may involve stimulation with an electrode carried on the housing of an implantable medical device (IMD) while substantially simultaneously delivering stimulation via one or more implanted electrodes having the same polarity as the electrode on the housing. An external medical device (EMD) may simulate the IMD housing electrode with an electrode separate from the electrodes carried on leads implanted near target tissue. This electrode may be an external electrode carried on the external housing of the EMD or an external patch electrode. Alternatively, the electrode may be an implantable electrode coupled to the EMD. The conductivity of the external or implantable electrode may also be optimized to approximate the conductivity of the IMD housing electrode. This electrode coupled to the EMD may be utilized during trial stimulation or chronic, external, stimulation. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110125215 | MEDICAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION WITH IMPLANTABLE SIMULATED CASE ELECTRODE - This disclosure describes delivery of omnipolar electrical stimulation with an external electrical stimulator. Omnipolar electrical stimulation may involve stimulation with an electrode carried on the housing of an implantable medical device (IMD) while substantially simultaneously delivering stimulation via one or more implanted electrodes having the same polarity as the electrode on the housing. An external medical device (EMD) may simulate the IMD housing electrode with an electrode separate from the electrodes carried on leads implanted near target tissue. This electrode may be an external electrode carried on the external housing of the EMD or an external patch electrode. Alternatively, the electrode may be an implantable electrode coupled to the EMD. The conductivity of the external or implantable electrode may also be optimized to approximate the conductivity of the IMD housing electrode. This electrode coupled to the EMD may be utilized during trial stimulation or chronic, external, stimulation. | 05-26-2011 |
