DBS Therapy Optimization with Adaptive Electrode Fractionalization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems lack rigorous methods for handling unusable electrodes during therapy planning, leading to suboptimal therapy delivery.
Innovation Solution
A configuration system that includes a receiver module for patient data and lead position, an optimizer with modules for steering, electrode removal, adjusting current allocation, and scoring to identify candidate therapies that adapt to unavailable electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrode becomes unavailable (high impedance or marked unusable), then the system must disable therapy programs using that electrode, but this leads to suboptimal therapy delivery and loss of therapeutic benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of current allocation by removing unavailable electrodes from the fractionalization calculation and redistributing current proportions among remaining electrodes. The optimizer recalculates amplitude settings and current distribution to maintain effective therapy delivery despite electrode failure, transforming the system from a static configuration to an adaptive one that responds to electrode availability changes.
2Reliability
If the system disables all therapy programs when an electrode becomes unavailable, then electrode reliability is maintained, but therapy planning complexity increases and optimal therapy cannot be delivered
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting unavailable electrodes through impedance monitoring and physician markings, then autonomously recalculating optimized therapy parameters using the remaining electrodes. The optimizer module automatically adjusts current allocation and amplitude settings without requiring manual reprogramming, allowing the system to adapt to electrode failures while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If current allocation is not adjusted when electrodes are removed, then the system remains simple to operate, but current distribution becomes suboptimal and therapy effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating optimized current allocation and amplitude settings for various electrode configurations before therapy delivery. When electrodes become unavailable, the system can quickly switch to pre-computed optimized parameters for the reduced configuration, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations while maintaining therapy effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for planning configurations of a neuromodulation system having a lead with a plurality of electrodes. Configurations are planned using an optimizer that analyzes potential fractionalizations after removing unavailable electrodes from analysis and adjusting a candidate fractionalization to account for the removed electrodes. The unavailable electrodes may be identified by a physician or by analysis of impedances of the electrodes.