Current Mode Programming for Implantable Stimulator Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) systems face challenges in efficiently programming and adjusting electrode currents to optimize therapeutic effects while minimizing side effects, due to limitations in existing graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and digital-to-analog (DAC) circuitry resolution, leading to cumbersome calculations and potential deviations in current delivery.
Innovation Solution
A system with a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows clinicians to easily adjust electrode currents using either percentage or current mode, with algorithms that calculate and distribute the total current among electrodes to minimize deviations within the constraints of the DAC circuitry, and provide warnings for deviations exceeding predetermined thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional GUI programming methods are used for DBS electrode currents, then the system can deliver stimulation, but the calculation complexity increases and current delivery deviations occur due to DAC circuitry limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The programming system automatically performs the complex calculations of current distribution and DAC compliance checking without requiring manual intervention. The system self-adjusts the stimulation parameters to account for DAC resolution limitations, eliminating the need for clinicians to manually calculate compliant programming values while maintaining precise current delivery control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the programming software continuously monitors and adjusts current distribution based on DAC circuitry capabilities. The feedback loop ensures that programmed currents are automatically modified to match actual deliverable currents, preventing deviations and maintaining precision despite hardware limitations.
2Ease of operation
If manual calculation methods are used for current distribution, then clinicians can control electrode currents, but the ease of operation decreases due to cumbersome calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The programming system performs automatic current distribution calculations based on selected electrodes and desired stimulation parameters. Clinicians simply select target electrodes and clinical goals, and the system autonomously computes the optimal current distribution across all electrodes, eliminating time-consuming manual calculations while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates and stores compliant current distribution patterns that account for DAC resolution limitations. When clinicians select desired stimulation parameters, the system retrieves and applies pre-computed current distributions, eliminating the need for real-time manual calculations and significantly reducing programming time.
3Reliability
If high current resolution is required for precise stimulation, then therapeutic effectiveness improves, but the DAC circuitry resolution limitations cause deviations in current delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The programming system dynamically adjusts current parameters to account for DAC resolution limitations. By modifying the programmed current values to match the actual resolution capabilities of the DAC circuitry, the system ensures that delivered currents remain within acceptable tolerance ranges, maintaining therapeutic reliability despite hardware constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the programming software continuously monitors and adjusts current distribution based on DAC circuitry capabilities. The feedback loop ensures that programmed currents are automatically modified to match actual deliverable currents, preventing deviations and maintaining precision despite hardware limitations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for assisting a user to program stimulation parameters for an implantable pulse generator (IPG) are described. The IPG may be configured to provide electrical stimulation via a plurality of electrodes. The amount of stimulation current provided by each of the electrodes may be individually controlled. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided for displaying an indication of the current to be delivered via each the electrodes. In some embodiments, the currents are expressed in terms of a total current to be delivered by the plurality of electrodes, and percentage values of that current to be delivered by each individual electrodes. If a user wishes to modify an amount of current amplitude to be delivered by a particular electrode, the described system is configured to update the total current and the percentage values for each of the electrodes based on the modification.