Adaptive SCS Program Switching for Patient Motion and Posture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapies lack optimization for individual patient needs, requiring manual program switching and lacking adaptive adjustments based on activity, motion, and posture.
Innovation Solution
A neuromodulation system with a processing system that analyzes patient activity, motion, and posture to automatically switch between programmed therapy settings, utilizing sensors and algorithms to optimize SCS therapy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple neuromodulation programs are manually programmed and switched, then therapy can be customized for different conditions, but the system lacks automatic optimization based on real-time patient activity and posture
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor patient activity, motion, and posture, feeding this data back to the neuromodulator. The neuromodulator automatically adjusts stimulation parameters based on this feedback, enabling real-time optimization without manual intervention while maintaining therapy customization across different activity states
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, manually-programmed stimulation parameters to dynamic, automatically-adjusted parameters that adapt in real-time to changing patient conditions. Multiple programs with different parameters are maintained, but the system dynamically selects and adjusts between them based on real-time sensor data regarding patient activity and posture
2Ease of operation
If fixed neuromodulation programs are used, then the system is simpler to operate, but pain relief becomes suboptimal during activity transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the neuromodulator to automatically adjust its own stimulation parameters based on sensor feedback regarding patient activity and posture. The device self-optimizes therapy delivery without requiring manual reprogramming or patient intervention, maintaining ease of operation while improving pain relief reliability during activity transitions
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple neuromodulation programs with different parameters are pre-programmed into the system before use. When sensor data indicates a change in patient activity or posture, the system quickly switches between these pre-prepared programs, enabling rapid adaptation without requiring real-time manual adjustment while maintaining simple operation
3Device complexity
If manual program switching is required, then the system uses fewer sensors and processing components, but side effects increase due to suboptimal therapy delivery
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors monitor patient activity, motion, and posture and feed this information back to the neuromodulator, which automatically adjusts stimulation parameters to maintain optimal therapy delivery. This closed-loop feedback system prevents suboptimal stimulation that could cause side effects like paresthesia or discomfort, while the added complexity of sensors and processing is justified by the significant reduction in harmful effects
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts stimulation parameters in real-time based on sensor feedback regarding patient state. This dynamic adaptation ensures therapy remains optimized across different activities and postures, preventing the delivery of inappropriate stimulation that could cause side effects, while accepting the necessary increase in system complexity through integrated sensors and control processing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances SCS therapy effectiveness by providing adaptive and personalized neuromodulation, improving pain relief while minimizing side effects through automated program adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer or gyroscope inside of a tip or a body of the lead, wherein the accelerometer or gyroscope is configured for use to provide at least some of the sensed data indicative of the activity, motion and/or posture of the patient
Implementation Method 2
a strain or flex sensor in an implanted lead, where the strain or flex sensor is configured to detect lead curvature
Implementation Method 3
the strain or flex sensor includes a fiber optic bending sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a neuromodulator and a processing system. The neuromodulator may be configured to be programmed with a set of more than one program to deliver neuromodulation. The processing system may be configured to: receive sensed data indicative of activity, motion and/or posture of a patient; analyze the activity, motion and/or posture of the patient; and perform a process, based on the analyzed activity, motion and/or posture, for switching from one program in the set of more than one program to another program from the set of more than one program. The process may include automatically implementing the other program from the set of more than one program or suggesting to switch to the other program from the set of more than one program.