Neuromodulation system and method for transitioning between programming modes

Abstract

An external control device and method for programming an implantable neuromodulator coupled to an electrode array implanted adjacent tissue of a patient having a medical condition. Electrical modulation energy is conveyed to tissue of the patient in accordance with a series of modulation parameter sets. The patient perceives paresthesia in response to the conveyance of the electrical modulation energy to the tissue in accordance with at least one of the modulation parameter sets. One of the modulation parameter set(s) is identified based on the perceived paresthesia. Another modulation parameter set is derived from the identified modulation parameter set. Electrical modulation energy is conveyed to the tissue of the patient in accordance with the other modulation parameter set without causing the patient to perceive paresthesia.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 801,917, filed Mar. 15, 2013. The foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present inventions relate to tissue modulation systems, and more particularly, to programmable neuromodulation systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Implantable neuromodulation systems have proven therapeutic in a wide variety of diseases and disorders. Pacemakers and Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (ICDs) have proven highly effective in the treatment of a number of cardiac conditions (e.g., arrhythmias). Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) systems have long been accepted as a therapeutic modality for the treatment of chronic pain syndromes, and the application of tissue stimulation has begun to expand to additional applications such as angina pectoralis and incontinence. De...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The modulation output circuitry provides electrical energy to the electrodes in the form of a pulsed electrical waveform based on the modulation parameters programmed into the IPG. These parameters include electrode combinations, percentage of energy assigned to each electrode, and pulse parameters such as amplitude, width, rate, and burst rate. The technical effect of this technology is precise and controlled electrical modulation for the purpose of treating medical conditions.

Problems solved by technology

However, the number of electrodes available, combined with the ability to generate a variety of complex electrical pulses, presents a huge selection of modulation parameter sets to the clinician or patient.

Thus, correct lead placement can mean the difference between effective and ineffective pain therapy.

Although alternative or artifactual sensations are usually tolerated relative to the sensation of pain, patients sometimes report these sensations to be uncomfortable, and therefore, they can be considered an adverse side-effect to neuromodulation therapy in some cases.

However, because there is a lack of paresthesia that may otherwise indicate that the activated electrodes are properly located relative to the targeted tissue site, it is difficult to immediately determine if the delivered sub-threshold neuromodulation therapy is optimized in terms of both providing efficacious therapy and minimizing energy consumption.

Furthermore, if the implanted neuromodulation lead(s) migrate relative to the target tissue site to be modulated, it is possible that the sub-threshold neuromodulation may fall outside of the effective therapeutic range (either below the therapeutic range if the coupling efficiency between the neuromodulation lead(s) and target tissue site decreases, resulting in a lack of efficacious therapy, or above the therapeutic range if the coupling efficiency between the neuromodulation lead(s) and the target tissue site increases, resulting in the perception of paresthesia or inefficient energy consumption).

Another issue is that a patient receiving sub-threshold therapy may not notice when the battery of the implanted neuromodulation device has depleted, and because the sub-threshold therapy is not accompanied by paresthesia, the patient may not immediately realize that he or she is no longer receiving therapy.

To this end, a particular computer programming system will typically limit the modulation parameters with which a neuromodulation device can be programmed.

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