Artifact Reduction in Evoked Neural Response Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal cord stimulation systems face challenges in accurately measuring evoked neural responses due to overlapping stimulation artifacts, which obscure the neural signals and limit the ability to effectively control and adjust stimulation parameters for optimal therapy.
Innovation Solution
A neuromodulation system that uses a microprocessor to process signals from multiple electrode channels, aligning and scaling stimulation artifacts to subtract them from evoked neural response signals, thereby reducing artifacts and enhancing the clarity of neural feedback for adjusting stimulation waveforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stimulation artifacts are not reduced, then the measurement system is simple, but the neural response measurement precision is poor due to artifact overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the signal processing into separate channels: a first channel for capturing stimulation artifacts and a second channel for capturing neural responses. By segmenting the measurement function across multiple channels, the system can process artifacts and neural signals independently, improving measurement precision without requiring complex real-time separation algorithms in a single channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage that receives signals from both channels and computes the difference between them. This intermediary difference computation acts as a mediator that eliminates artifacts while preserving neural responses, enabling precise neural measurement without direct complex processing of the raw overlapping signals.
2Reliability
If multiple channels are used to reduce artifacts, then the neural response clarity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is segmented into functionally distinct channels: a first channel positioned to capture stimulation artifacts and a second channel positioned to capture neural responses. This spatial segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for its specific function, improving detection reliability while keeping the overall system architecture modular and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the electrode leads to serve multiple functions simultaneously. Each lead contains both stimulation electrodes and sensing electrodes that can detect both artifacts and neural responses. This multi-functionality reduces the need for completely separate electrode systems, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If artifact subtraction is performed, then the neural signal accuracy improves, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary separation of artifacts and neural responses during the signal acquisition phase by using dedicated channels for each signal type. This preliminary spatial separation reduces the complexity of subsequent processing, allowing accurate neural response measurement with minimal additional processing time compared to real-time artifact subtraction from a single channel.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing neuromodulation therapy are disclosed. The methods and systems are configured to sense an evoked neural response and use the evoked neural response as feedback for providing neuromodulation therapy. Methods of reducing stimulation artifacts that obscure the sensed evoked neural response are disclosed. The methods of artifact reduction include recording a stimulation artifact in the absence of an evoked neural response, aligning and scaling the stimulation artifact with respect to the obscured signal, and subtracting the aligned and scaled artifact from the obscured signal.