Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080215118 | User interface with toolbar for programming electrical stimulation therapy - The disclosure is directed to a user interface with a menu that facilitates stimulation therapy programming. The user interface displays a representation of the electrical leads implanted in the patient and at least one menu with icons that the user can use to adjust the stimulation therapy. The user may drag one or more field shapes from a field shape selection menu onto the desired location relative to the electrical leads. A manipulation tool menu may also allow the user to adjust the field shapes placed on the electrical leads, which represent the stimulation region. The programmer that includes the user interface then generates electrical stimulation parameter values for the stimulator to deliver stimulation according to the field shapes or field shape groups defined/located by the user. The field shapes may represent different types of stimulation representations, such as current density, activation functions, and neuron models. | 09-04-2008 |
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 |
20090196471 | CHARACTERIZATION OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ELECTRODES USING POST-IMPLANT IMAGING - In general, the disclosure is related to characterization of implanted electrical stimulation electrode arrays using post-implant imaging. The electrode arrays may be carried by implanted leads. Characterization of implanted electrode arrays may include identification of the type or types of leads implanted within a patient and/or determination of positions of the implanted leads or electrodes carried by the leads relative to one another or relative to anatomical structures within the patient. In addition, the disclosure relates to techniques for specifying or modifying patient therapy parameters based on the characterization of the implanted electrode arrays. | 08-06-2009 |
20090196472 | ELECTRODE-TO-LEAD ASSOCIATION USING POST-IMPLANT IMAGING - In general, the disclosure is related to electrode-to-lead association using post-implant imaging. An image analysis unit may calculate distances between representations of electrodes in an electronic image and identify groups based on the calculated distances. Each identified group may include a plurality of electrode representations. The distance between a first electrode representation and a second electrode representation may be substantially a same distance between the second electrode representation and a third electrode representation. A characterization unit may determine one or more lead types based on the identified groups. | 08-06-2009 |
20090198306 | AUTOMATED PROGRAMMING OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ELECTRODES USING POST-IMPLANT IMAGING - In general, the disclosure is related to characterization of implanted electrical stimulation electrode arrays using post-implant imaging. The electrode arrays may be carried by implanted leads. Characterization of implanted electrode arrays may include identification of the type or types of leads implanted within a patient and/or determination of positions of the implanted leads or electrodes carried by the leads relative to one another or relative to anatomical structures within the patient. In addition, the disclosure relates to techniques for specifying or modifying patient therapy parameters based on the characterization of the implanted electrode arrays. | 08-06-2009 |
20090259216 | AUTOMATED INTEGRITY TESTS - Techniques for testing integrity of various elements of implantable medical device systems are described. Some embodiments automatically test the integrity of one or more system elements in response to detecting an event. Examples of events in response to which an integrity test may be performed include the patient being within a target activity state, a symptomatic event experienced by a patient, an external impact on the patient that exceeds a damage threshold, or an indication that the patient is receiving inappropriate therapy. Some embodiments automatically test integrity in response to failure to autonomously detect an event, which may be indicated by input from a patient. An implantable lead carrying electrodes or a therapeutic substance delivery element, such as a catheter, are examples of system elements for which integrity may be tested in some embodiments. | 10-15-2009 |
20090270947 | CONFIGURING STIMULATION THERAPY USING STIMULATION INTENSITY - Techniques for configuring electrical stimulation therapy utilizing one or more stimulation intensity values are described. In one example, a method includes receiving a stimulation intensity value that corresponds to an equal intensity function; determining a pulse width value and a pulse amplitude value based on the equal intensity function; and controlling delivery of electrical stimulation pulses with the determined pulse width value and amplitude value to a patient. A stimulation intensity value may correspond to a plurality of paired pulse width and amplitude values having substantially the same intensity. For example, the plurality of paired pulse width and amplitude values may activate a substantially equal volume of tissue when a stimulation pulse with the paired values is delivered. | 10-29-2009 |
20090281594 | Peripheral Nerve Field Stimulation Control - Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be controlled based on detected physiological effects of the PNFS, which may be an efferent response to the PNFS. In some examples, a closed-loop therapy system may include a sensing module that senses a physiological parameter of the patient, which may be indicative of the patient's response to the PNFS. Based on a signal generated by the sensing module, the PNFS may be activated, deactivated or modified. Example physiological parameters of the patient include heart rate, respiratory rate, electrodermal activity, muscle activity, blood flow rate, sweat gland activity, pilomotor reflex, or thermal activity of the patient's body. In some examples, a patient pain state may be detected based on a signal generated by the sensing module, and therapy may be controlled based on the detection of the pain state. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281595 | PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES FOR PERIPHERAL NERVE FIELD STIMULATION - Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) delivered by a medical device to a patient may be programmed by specifying one or more characteristics of a stimulation field generated by the IMD to provide the PNFS. The characteristics of the stimulation field may include, for example, a direction of stimulation within the field, a breadth of the stimulation field, a focus of stimulation within the stimulation field, a depth of the stimulation field relative to a reference point, such as the epidermis of the patient, or a nerve fiber diameter selection. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281596 | PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES FOR PERIPHERAL NERVE FIELD STIMULATION - A therapy program for peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be selected based on user input indicating a desired therapeutic effect for a user-specified region in which a patient feels pain. In other examples, PNFS may be programmed based on input from a user selecting at least one region from among a plurality of regions in which the patient experiences pain. In addition, the PNFS may be programmed based on user input defining an aspect of PNFS for the selected region, such as a relative intensity of PNFS delivered to at least two selected regions, a balance of PNFS between at least two regions, a desired shift in PNFS from a first region to a second region, or an extent to which a first stimulation field within a first region overlaps with a second stimulation field in a second region. | 11-12-2009 |
20100010581 | METHOD FOR CLOCK MANAGEMENT FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable medical device is capable of delivering the therapeutic output to the patient. A controller, programmable by a medical professional, is operatively coupled to the implantable medical device to, in part, program the therapeutic output to be delivered to the patient. The controller has an interface allowing the medical professional to select an amount of the therapeutic output to be delivered to the patient in at least one of the series of discrete timer intervals. However, the therapeutic output deliver to the patient is dependant upon the clock time to which the infusion device. In certain situations the infusion device clock time may have inaccuracies that grow over time. The clock time can be reset by the infusion programmer but a method must be in place to determine and account for resetting the infusion device clock time that controls when the therapy will be delivered. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010646 | INTERFACE FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE PROGRAMMING - An implantable medical device is capable of delivering therapeutic output to a patient. A controller, programmable by a medical professional, is operatively coupled to the implantable medical device to, in part, program the therapeutic output to be delivered to the patient. The controller has an interface allowing the medical professional to graphically select an amount of the therapeutic output to be delivered to the patient in at least one of a series of discrete timer intervals. The graphic selection may be aided by the use of a light pen or other pointing device to sketch the infusion pattern. Computer programs using algorithms may be utilized to translate the information inputted through the light pen into an infusion program. | 01-14-2010 |
20100070001 | SELECTION OF NEUROSTIMULATOR PARAMETER CONFIGURATIONS USING DECISION TREES - A selection of parameter configurations for a neurostimulator using decision trees may be employed by a programming device to allow a clinician or other user to select parameter configurations, and then program an implantable neurostimulator to deliver therapy using the selected parameter configurations. The programming device executes a parameter configuration search algorithm to guide the clinician in selection of parameter configurations. The search algorithm relies on a decision tree to identify optimum parameter configurations. A decision tree is useful in classifying observations in a data set based upon one or more attributes or fields within the data. The data set includes parameter configurations matched with observed ratings of efficacy on patients of a similar indication. The learned attribute, on which classification occurs, will be the optimum parameter configuration for a set of rated configurations used to produce the classification. The decision trees may be especially useful in identifying electrode configurations. | 03-18-2010 |
20100222845 | REMOTE MANAGEMENT OF THERAPY PROGRAMMING - The disclosure is directed to techniques for remote management of information relating to therapy delivered to a patient by an implantable medical device (IMD). A remote monitoring system for therapy programming includes an IMD that delivers therapy, e.g., neurostimulation, drug therapy, or both, to a patient, an external programming device associated with the IMD, such as a patient programmer, and a remote networking device that receives usage information from the external programming device. The external programming device communicates with the IMD via local, wireless communication, and the remote networking device receives usage information from the external programming device via a network. The usage information includes information that relates to use of therapy by the patient, use of features of the external programming device and the IMD, or use of navigation patterns of a user interface of the external programming device. | 09-02-2010 |
20100222846 | REMOTELY- REQUESTED INTEGRITY DIAGNOSTICS - In general, the invention is directed toward techniques for remotely monitoring the integrity of a medical device and its components. A remote networking device communicates with a medical device, e.g., an implantable medical device, via a network. The remote networking device sends a request for an integrity measurement to the medical device via the network, a remote network that requests a medical device to perform an integrity measurement. In response to the request, the medical device performs the requested integrity measurement. The medical device may transmit a result of the integrity measurement, e.g., a measured value, back to the remote networking device via the network. | 09-02-2010 |
20100222847 | TRANSMISSION OF POWER SOURCE USAGE INFORMATION OVER A NETWORK - The disclosure is directed to transmitting power source usage information regarding a power source of an implantable medical device (IMD) to a remote networking device via a network. The IMD operates on power supplied by a power source, such as a battery, within the housing of the IMD. The use of the power source may be monitored remotely in order to maintain therapy. Power source usage information may include power source recharge patterns such as frequency of recharging events, length of recharging events, period between recharging events, discharge state of the power source, and degree of coupling between primary and secondary coils during recharging. The IMD, or an external device used with the IMD, may generate, store, and transmit the power source usage information to the remote networking device. Action requests may be transmitted from the remote networking device via the network based upon the power source usage information. | 09-02-2010 |
20100223020 | REMOTE CALIBRATION OF AN IMPLANTABLE PATIENT SENSOR - Techniques for remotely calibrating an implanted patient sensor with a remote networking device are described. In some embodiments, the sensor is a component of an implantable medical device (IMD). The remote networking device communicates with the IMD via a network to which the IMD and/or external programmer is connected. The IMD may transmit sensor information to the remote networking device when the IMD detects a problem with the sensor or when the patient indicates that therapy is not correctly selected for different activities. New calibration settings may be remotely generated by directly interrogating the sensor and/or communicating with the patient in order to associate sensor output with patient activities, motions, or postures. | 09-02-2010 |
20100228314 | REMOTE TITRATION OF THERAPY DELIVERED BY AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Techniques for remotely titrating a therapy delivered using an implantable medical device system are disclosed. An implantable medical device delivers therapy according to a first program. The system collects patient data relating to at least one of an efficacy of, or side effects resulting from, the delivered therapy, and transmits the patient data to a remote network device. A clinician may then analyze the patient data and determine if changes to the therapy are warranted. The clinician may then transmit a programming change, e.g., a modification to the first program or a new, second program, to the implantable medical device system, and the implantable medical device may deliver therapy according to the changed programming. The process of receiving patient data and modifying the therapy programming may be repeated multiple times until the therapy is adequately titrated, e.g., until the patient data indicates adequate efficacy and/or acceptable side effects. | 09-09-2010 |
20100265072 | MANAGEMENT OF SESSION HISTORY DATA FOR IMPLANTABLE FLUID DELIVERY DEVICE - This disclosure describes techniques for displaying representations of therapy session histories with a programmer device configured to program an implantable fluid delivery device. Information regarding the session histories may be stored in a memory of the fluid delivery device. An example programmer includes a user interface comprising a display to present a representation of a plurality of therapy sessions administered by an implantable fluid delivery device to a patient, and a processor that controls the user interface to present on the display the representation of the plurality of therapy sessions. The representation may include simultaneously displayed, temporally-ordered representations of the plurality of therapy sessions, such as a graph comprising a plurality of nodes, each node corresponding to one of the therapy sessions. Horizontal locations of the nodes may correspond to relative ending dates for the corresponding therapy session, and shapes of each node may represent infusion patterns. | 10-21-2010 |
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 |
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 |
20110093051 | ASSIGNMENT AND MANIPULATION OF IMPLANTABLE LEADS IN DIFFERENT ANATOMICAL REGIONS WITH IMAGE BACKGROUND - This disclosure describes techniques for combining an image of a region defined by the user to receive stimulation therapy with an image of representation of leads which will deliver the therapy to the defined region, and importing the combined image on an implantable medical device connected to the leads that will deliver the stimulation therapy. During the process of combining the images, the user manipulates one or both of the images to combine the image such that the leads are placed for accurate therapy delivery. In some examples where more than one region is to receive stimulation therapy, each region can have a different image and/or a different set of leads associated therewith, and a combined image of each region may be produced, manipulated, and imported on the implantable medical device. | 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 |
20110118591 | LOCATING AN IMPLANTED OBJECT BASED ON EXTERNAL ANTENNA LOADING - In general, the invention is directed to techniques for locating an implanted object using an external antenna. The implanted object may be, for example, an internal antenna that facilitates recharging of and/or communication with an implantable medical device. An external device coupled to the external antenna drives the antenna with a plurality of waveforms. Asymmetry in the loading profile of the external antenna when it is driven by the plurality of waveforms allows the external device or another device to determine the location of the implanted object relative to the external antenna. The external device or other device may provide information to a user based on the determined location of the implanted object relative to the external antenna, such as information to help a user position the external antenna with respect to an internal antenna in embodiments in which the implanted object is an internal antenna. | 05-19-2011 |
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 |
20110172737 | PROGRAMMING THERAPY DELIVERED BY IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - This disclosure describes techniques for programming stimulation therapy programs according to therapy targets (e.g., symptoms or areas of pain) in a patient to which they are applied. Several programs can be programmed for each therapy target, stored on an implantable medical device, and retrieved later by a programmer to modify, edit, delete, create, and/or select a therapy program for each of the therapy targets. Each therapy target is independent from the other therapy targets, and a user can select or change a program under one therapy target without affecting programs under the other therapy targets. During programming, a user can specify parameters for each program applicable to only that program, and can specify parameters for each therapy target applicable to every program associated with that therapy target. The organization of programs into slots and the selection of a program in each slot may be manual or automated. | 07-14-2011 |
20110172744 | PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH MEDICAL DEVICE THERAPY - This disclosure is related to techniques for presenting therapy factors related to medical device therapy in a manner that allows a user, such as a patient or a clinician, to receive, comprehend and evaluate information relating to therapy delivered by the medical device efficiently. In one aspect, a method comprises obtaining a data set corresponding to a therapy factor associated with delivery of a medical therapy to a patient with a medical system including an implantable medical device, receiving a user selection associated with a subset of the data set, the subset of the data set including less than all the information relating to the therapy factor in the data set, and presenting a representation, corresponding to the subset of the data set, of the therapy factor on a display of a programmer. | 07-14-2011 |
20110257509 | COORDINATION OF FUNCTIONAL MRI SCANNING AND ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY - Changes in electrical stimulation therapy delivered via a medical device are coordinated with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans. In one example, a medical device delivers electrical stimulation therapy to a patient in an MRI unit, where the medical device is configured to cycle electrical stimulation therapy between a plurality of stimulation states. An indication that the medical device will cycle the electrical stimulation therapy or has cycled the electrical stimulation therapy while the patient is in the MRI unit or being imaged by the MRI unit is generated, and an MRI scan of the patient via an MRI workstation is initiated based on the indication. In another example, a medical device detects activation of an MRI scan and automatically switches stimulation states based upon the detection of the MRI scan, such that the scan is associated with a particular stimulation state. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257798 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING A THERAPEUTIC AGENT ACCORDING TO DEFAULT INFUSION SCHEDULE - A fluid delivery system comprises a pump configured to deliver a therapeutic agent to a patient, a memory storing a therapy program defining the delivery of the therapeutic agent to the patient by the pump and a default infusion schedule based on the therapy program, and a processor configured to control the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the patient according to the therapy program, to determine an error condition that prevents the pump from continuing to deliver therapy according to the therapy program, and, upon determination of the error condition, to control the pump to deliver the therapeutic agent to the patient according to the default infusion schedule. | 10-20-2011 |
20110264165 | STIMULATION ELECTRODE SELECTION - One or more stimulation electrodes may be selected based on a bioelectrical signal sensed in a brain of a patient with a sense electrode combination that comprises at least one electrode and a physiological model that indicates one or more anatomical structures of the brain of the patient that are proximate the implanted at least one electrode. In some examples, the bioelectrical brain signal indicates which electrodes are located closest to a target tissue site. The physiological model can be generated based on a location of implanted at least one electrode within a patient and patient anatomy data, which can, for example, indicate one or more characteristics of patient tissue proximate to the implanted at least one electrode. In some example, the physiological model includes a therapy field model that represents a region of the tissue of the patient to which therapy is delivered via a selected set of electrodes. | 10-27-2011 |
20110270348 | BRAIN STIMULATION PROGRAMMING - A programming system allows a user to program therapy parameter values for therapy delivered by a medical device by specifying a desired therapeutic outcome. In an example, the programming system presents a model of a brain network associated with a patient condition to the user. The model may be a graphical representation of a network of anatomical structures of the brain associated with the patient condition and may indicate the functional relationship between the anatomical structures. Using the model, the user may define a desired therapeutic outcome associated with the condition, and adjust excitatory and/or inhibitory effects of the stimulation on the anatomical structures. The system may determine therapy parameter values for therapy delivered to the patient based on the user input. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270357 | STIMULATION WITH UTILIZATION OF NON-SELECTED ELECTRODE - This disclosure describes techniques that support delivering electrical stimulation current via at least two user-selected electrodes of an implantable medical device (IMD) and automatically delivering balancing current below via at least one non-selected electrode. Balancing currents delivered via the at least one non-selected electrode may be configured with an amplitude below a perception threshold of a patient. Delivery of balancing current via the at least one third electrode may allow an implantable medical device to automatically balance the total current delivered to a patient. | 11-03-2011 |
20110307032 | PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES FOR CONTROLLING RATE OF CHANGE OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY - Techniques are described, for medical devices that deliver electrical stimulation therapy, for controlling a transition from an initial stimulation location or initial stimulation shape to a user-specified target stimulation location or target stimulation shape in order to limit the rate of change of stimulation. One example method includes receiving, via a programmer for an electrical stimulator, user input indicating a target stimulation zone, and controlling the electrical stimulator to transition electrical stimulation from an initial stimulation zone to the target stimulation zone via one or more intermediate stimulation zones. | 12-15-2011 |
20110313485 | GUIDED PROGRAMMING WITH FEEDBACK - Techniques that involve generating test stimulation programs based upon specific patient feedback to guide the programming process for stimulation therapy are described. The patient describes positive effects and adverse effects of the test stimulation by listing and/or rating specific types of effects, both positive and adverse, and the location of each effect. In this manner, a programming device, i.e. a programmer, uses the feedback to generate subsequent test stimulation programs. Initially, programs with unipolar electrode configurations are tested, but the programmer may generate bipolar electrode configurations to test if the patient rates the unipolar electrode combinations poorly. After the stimulation programs are tested and rated, the programmer sorts the tested programs based upon the feedback and presents the tested programs to the user. The user selects the best tested program to use for chronic stimulation therapy. Additionally, the patient may utilize the guided programming technique for continued therapy optimization. | 12-22-2011 |
20120035951 | VERIFICATION THAT A PATIENT WITH AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL SYSTEM CAN UNDERGO A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SCAN - Verification that an implantable medical system within a patient is MRI safe is provided. Several verifications may be performed such as verifying that the device and leads are of an MRI safe type, that the leads have adequate electrical integrity, that the device has entered an MRI safe mode, that the lead routing and device placement are MRI safe, and that the MRI settings of the MRI machine are safe for the implantable medical system. The result of these verifications may lead to a conclusion that the implantable medical system of interest is or is not MRI safe for a given MRI scan. An indication of this result may be output such as via a display so that an MRI technician can have some assurance as to whether to conduct the MRI scan. | 02-09-2012 |
20120078325 | IDENTIFYING COMBINATIONS OF ELECTRODES FOR NEUROSTIMULATION THERAPY - A programmer allows a clinician to identify combinations of electrodes from within an electrode set implanted in a patient that enable delivery of desirable neurostimulation therapy by an implantable medical device. The programmer executes an electrode combination search algorithm to select combinations of electrodes to test in a non-random order. According to algorithms consistent with the invention, the programmer may first identify a position of a first cathode for subsequent combinations, and then select electrodes from the set to test with the first cathode as anodes or additional cathodes based on the proximity of the electrodes to the first cathode. The programmer may store information for each combination tested, and the information may facilitate the identification of desirable electrode combinations by the clinician. The clinician may create neurostimulation therapy programs that include identified desirable program combinations. | 03-29-2012 |
20120136409 | RULE-BASED STIMULATION PROGRAM SEARCH - Techniques that involve application of one or more rules to a “parent” program to generate a plurality of different “child” programs are described. Each of the rules may define a respective electrode configuration modification, and each child program may be a variation of the parent based on a modification of the electrode configuration of the parent according to one of the rules. The systems or devices may generate further generations of child programs from a previous generation child program using the same one or more rules. The child programs may be provided to a user, so that the user may test the efficacy of the new programs, assisting the user in identifying desirable programs. The child programs may be relatively minor variations of the parent program, and the user may “fine tune” a generally desirable parent program by testing the child programs. | 05-31-2012 |
20120265271 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES STORING GRAPHICS PROCESSING DATA - In one example, a device includes a telemetry module configured to retrieve graphics processing data from a device that is not configured to perform a rendering process using the graphics processing data and that is associated with delivering therapy to a therapy target of a patient, and a control unit configured to apply the graphics processing data while performing the rendering process to generate an image of an anatomical feature of the patient, wherein the anatomical feature comprises the therapy target for an implantable medical device, and to cause a display unit of a user interface to display the image, wherein the image of the anatomical feature is specific to the patient. The graphics processing data may include a list of vertices or a transform to be applied to a non-patient-specific anatomical atlas. The data may also include a location of a therapy element of the implantable medical device. | 10-18-2012 |
20120277621 | DETERMINING NERVE LOCATION RELATIVE TO ELECTRODES - An implantable nerve stimulator is implanted in a patient near a nerve target. The implantable nerve stimulator has a plurality of electrodes through which stimulation is provided to the nerve target. The relative location of the nerve target and the electrodes may be determined by applying stimulation to the nerves via each of the electrodes, determining an effect of the stimulation for each of the electrodes, and mapping a location of the nerve relative to the electrodes based on the effect of the stimulation for each of the electrodes. | 11-01-2012 |
20120277670 | BURR HOLE CAP ASSEMBLY WITH THERAPY DELIVERY MEMBER ORIENTATION FEATURE - In some examples, a burr hole cap assembly includes one or more markers that indicate a rotational orientation of a therapy delivery member relative to the burr hole cap assembly, where the therapy delivery member extends through an opening defined by the burr hole cap assembly. In addition, in some examples, the burr hole cap assembly includes a feature that indicates the rotational orientation of the therapy delivery member after the therapy delivery member is implanted in the patient. The feature can include the one or more markers in some examples. | 11-01-2012 |
20120277823 | DUAL PROPHYLACTIC AND ABORTIVE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION - Prophylactic stimulation and abortive electrical stimulation are delivered to a cranial nerve, including, e.g. an occipital or trigeminal nerve to treat symptoms of various conditions, including, e.g. occipital neuralgia or migraines. | 11-01-2012 |
20120277833 | ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY BASED ON HEAD POSITION - Techniques and systems for determining a head position of a patient and controlling delivery of electrical stimulation to a target stimulation site based on the determined head position are described. In some examples, movement of the head of the patient may result in movement of a lead, through which the electrical stimulation may be delivered, relative to the target stimulation site. Thus, controlling delivery of the electrical stimulation based on the head position may improve the efficiency and efficacy of the electrical stimulation therapy. | 11-01-2012 |
20120316619 | PROGRAMMING INTERFACE FOR STIMULATION THERAPY - The disclosure is directed to programming implantable stimulators to deliver stimulation energy via one or more implantable leads having complex electrode array geometries. The disclosure also contemplates guided programming to select electrode combinations and parameter values to support efficacy. The techniques may be applied to a programming interface associated with a clinician programmer, a patient programmer, or both. A user interface permits a user to view electrodes from different perspectives relative to the lead. For example, the user interface provides a side view of a lead and a cross-sectional view of the lead. The user interface may include an axial control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different axial positions along the length of a lead, and a rotational control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different angular positions around a circumference of the lead. | 12-13-2012 |
20130138176 | BRAIN STIMULATION PROGRAMMING - A programming system allows a user to program therapy parameter values for therapy delivered by a medical device by specifying a desired therapeutic outcome. In an example, the programming system presents a model of a brain network associated with a patient condition to the user. The model may be a graphical representation of a network of anatomical structures of the brain associated with the patient condition and may indicate the functional relationship between the anatomical structures. Using the model, the user may define a desired therapeutic outcome associated with the condition, and adjust excitatory and/or inhibitory effects of the stimulation on the anatomical structures. The system may determine therapy parameter values for therapy delivered to the patient based on the user input. | 05-30-2013 |
20130184786 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES STORING GRAPHICS PROCESSING DATA - In one example, a device includes a telemetry module configured to retrieve graphics processing data from a device that is not configured to perform a rendering process using the graphics processing data and that is associated with delivering therapy to a therapy target of a patient, and a control unit configured to apply the graphics processing data while performing the rendering process to generate an image of an anatomical feature of the patient, wherein the anatomical feature comprises the therapy target for an implantable medical device, and to cause a display unit of a user interface to display the image, wherein the image of the anatomical feature is specific to the patient. The graphics processing data may include a list of vertices or a transform to be applied to a non-patient-specific anatomical atlas. The data may also include a location of a therapy element of the implantable medical device. | 07-18-2013 |
20130268019 | ELECTRICAL STIMULATION PROGRAMMING - In one example, the disclosure relates to a method comprising receiving at least one electrical stimulation parameter value defining electrical stimulation for delivery via one or more electrodes to a tissue site, and determining, via one or more processors, a volume of sub-activation threshold impact for tissue from the delivery of the electrical stimulation to the tissue site. | 10-10-2013 |
20140005748 | HUMAN-IMPLANTABLE-NEUROSTIMULATOR USER INTERFACE HAVING MULTIPLE LEVELS OF ABSTRACTION | 01-02-2014 |
20140058292 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A system for use in managing a neuromodulation therapy includes an ultrasound transducer array controlled by a control unit to deliver ultrasound waveforms for causing modulation of neural tissue in a patient. The system acquires data indicating a response to the modulation, analyzes the acquired data to determine correlation data between a response to the modulation and an ultrasound control parameter, and reports the correlation data to enable identification of at least one therapy parameter to be used to deliver a neuromodulation therapy to the patient by a therapy delivery system. | 02-27-2014 |
20140081354 | ASSIGNMENT AND MANIPULATION OF IMPLANTABLE LEADS IN DIFFERENT ANATOMICAL REGIONS WITH IMAGE BACKGROUND - This disclosure describes techniques for combining an image of a region defined by the user to receive stimulation therapy with an image of representation of leads which will deliver the therapy to the defined region, and importing the combined image on an implantable medical device connected to the leads that will deliver the stimulation therapy. During the process of combining the images, the user manipulates one or both of the images to combine the image such that the leads are placed for accurate therapy delivery. In some examples where more than one region is to receive stimulation therapy, each region can have a different image and/or a different set of leads associated therewith, and a combined image of each region may be produced, manipulated, and imported on the implantable medical device. | 03-20-2014 |
20140088666 | UNWRAPPED 2D VIEW OF A STIMULATION LEAD WITH COMPLEX ELECTRODE ARRAY GEOMETRY - The disclosure is directed to programming implantable stimulators to deliver stimulation energy via one or more implantable leads having complex electrode array geometries. The disclosure also contemplates guided programming to select electrode combinations and parameter values to support efficacy. The techniques may be applied to a programming interface associated with a clinician programmer, a patient programmer, or both. A user interface permits a user to view electrodes from different perspectives relative to the lead. For example, the user interface provides a side view of a lead and a cross-sectional view of the lead. The user interface may include an axial control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different axial positions along the length of a lead, and a rotational control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different angular positions around a circumference of the lead. | 03-27-2014 |
20140107567 | REMOTE TITRATION OF THERAPY DELIVERED BY AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Techniques for remotely titrating a therapy delivered using an implantable medical device system are disclosed. An implantable medical device delivers therapy according to a first program. The system collects patient data relating to at least one of an efficacy of, or side effects resulting from, the delivered therapy, and transmits the patient data to a remote network device. A clinician may then analyze the patient data and determine if changes to the therapy are warranted. The clinician may then transmit a programming change, e.g., a modification to the first program or a new, second program, to the implantable medical device system, and the implantable medical device may deliver therapy according to the changed programming. The process of receiving patient data and modifying the therapy programming may be repeated multiple times until the therapy is adequately titrated, e.g., until the patient data indicates adequate efficacy and/or acceptable side effects. | 04-17-2014 |
20140107731 | USER INTERFACE WITH 3D ENVIRONMENT FOR CONFIGURING STIMULATION THERAPY - The disclosure describes a method and system that allows a user to configure electrical stimulation therapy by defining a three-dimensional (3D) stimulation field. After a stimulation lead is implanted in a patient, a clinician manipulates the 3D stimulation field in a 3D environment to encompass desired anatomical regions of the patient. In this manner, the clinician determines which anatomical regions to stimulate, and the system generates the necessary stimulation parameters. In some cases, a lead icon representing the implanted lead is displayed to show the clinician where the lead is relative to the 3D anatomical regions of the patient. | 04-17-2014 |
20140324125 | HUMAN-IMPLANTABLE-NEUROSTIMULATOR USER INTERFACE HAVING MULTIPLE LEVELS OF ABSTRACTION - A programming-device user interface may include multiple levels of abstraction for programming treatment settings. A stimulation zone-programming interface may be at a highest level of abstraction and may include idealized stimulation zones. A field strength-programming interface may be at a middle level of abstraction and may include electromagnetic field-strength patterns generated by the stimulation zones, and/or electrode settings, and a depiction of how the electromagnetic fields interact with each other. An electrode-programming interface may be at a lowest level of abstraction and may depict treatment settings at an electrodes-view level. These interfaces may include a display of a stimulatable area of the patient's body. The display may include a depiction of leads and/or the underlying physiology, such as a depiction of a portion of a spine. Algorithms map treatment settings from one level of abstraction to settings at one or more other levels of abstraction. | 10-30-2014 |
20140350636 | PERIPHERAL NERVE FIELD STIMULATION CONTROL - Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be controlled based on detected physiological effects of the PNFS, which may be an efferent response to the PNFS. In some examples, a closed-loop therapy system may include a sensing module that senses a physiological parameter of the patient, which may be indicative of the patient's response to the PNFS. Based on a signal generated by the sensing module, the PNFS may be activated, deactivated or modified. Example physiological parameters of the patient include heart rate, respiratory rate, electrodermal activity, muscle activity, blood flow rate, sweat gland activity, pilomotor reflex, or thermal activity of the patient's body. In some examples, a patient pain state may be detected based on a signal generated by the sensing module, and therapy may be controlled based on the detection of the pain state. | 11-27-2014 |
20140371813 | PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES FOR PERIPHERAL NERVE FIELD STIMULATION - A therapy program for peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be selected based on user input indicating a desired therapeutic effect for a user-specified region in which a patient feels pain. In other examples, PNFS may be programmed based on input from a user selecting at least one region from among a plurality of regions in which the patient experiences pain. In addition, the PNFS may be programmed based on user input defining an aspect of PNFS for the selected region, such as a relative intensity of PNFS delivered to at least two selected regions, a balance of PNFS between at least two regions, a desired shift in PNFS from a first region to a second region, or an extent to which a first stimulation field within a first region overlaps with a second stimulation field in a second region. | 12-18-2014 |
20140371819 | AUTOMATED PROGRAMMING OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ELECTRODES USING POST-IMPLANT IMAGING - In general, the disclosure is related to characterization of implanted electrical stimulation electrode arrays using post-implant imaging. The electrode arrays may be carried by implanted leads. Characterization of implanted electrode arrays may include identification of the type or types of leads implanted within a patient and/or determination of positions of the implanted leads or electrodes carried by the leads relative to one another or relative to anatomical structures within the patient. In addition, the disclosure relates to techniques for specifying or modifying patient therapy parameters based on the characterization of the implanted electrode arrays. | 12-18-2014 |
20150088093 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES STORING GRAPHICS PROCESSING DATA - In one example, a device includes a telemetry module configured to retrieve graphics processing data from a device that is not configured to perform a rendering process using the graphics processing data and that is associated with delivering therapy to a therapy target of a patient, and a control unit configured to apply the graphics processing data while performing the rendering process to generate an image of an anatomical feature of the patient, wherein the anatomical feature comprises the therapy target for an implantable medical device, and to cause a display unit of a user interface to display the image, wherein the image of the anatomical feature is specific to the patient. The graphics processing data may include a list of vertices or a transform to be applied to a non-patient-specific anatomical atlas. The data may also include a location of a therapy element of the implantable medical device. | 03-26-2015 |