Dynamic Stimulation Scheduling for Implantable Medical Device Battery Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Predicting battery life in implantable medical devices (IMDs) that deliver both open-loop and closed-loop electrical stimulation is challenging due to the patient-specific and unpredictable nature of closed-loop stimulation, leading to potential interruptions in therapy and inefficient battery usage.
Innovation Solution
The IMD's open-loop stimulation schedule is dynamically adjusted to compensate for closed-loop stimulation bursts by resynchronizing, substituting, or compensating for the additional power usage, including techniques such as rescheduling, skipping, or modifying the duration of open-loop bursts to extend battery life and improve predictability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If closed-loop stimulation is delivered in addition to scheduled open-loop stimulation, then patient-specific therapy is improved, but battery life is substantially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the open-loop stimulation schedule based on actual closed-loop stimulation delivery. The controller modifies the timing and parameters of scheduled bursts to account for power already consumed by responsive closed-loop stimulation, creating a adaptive power management system that responds to actual device operation patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses information about closed-loop stimulation events to adjust subsequent open-loop stimulation scheduling. The controller monitors when closed-loop bursts are delivered and uses this feedback to reschedule open-loop bursts, ensuring that the overall stimulation pattern maintains therapeutic effectiveness while optimizing power consumption patterns.
2Adaptability or versatility
If closed-loop stimulation is delivered in addition to scheduled open-loop stimulation, then responsive therapy is improved, but prediction of battery life becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scheduling of open-loop stimulation bursts at the time of device implantation or programming. These scheduled bursts serve as a baseline framework that is later dynamically adjusted based on actual closed-loop stimulation events, allowing for initial power estimates while maintaining flexibility for responsive therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the timing parameters of open-loop stimulation bursts in response to closed-loop stimulation events. By dynamically adjusting when scheduled bursts occur based on actual power consumption patterns from closed-loop operation, the system maintains accurate battery life predictions despite the variability of responsive therapy delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If closed-loop stimulation bursts are delivered, then patient-specific therapy is provided, but overstimulation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively prevents overstimulation by adjusting the schedule of open-loop bursts in response to closed-loop stimulation delivery. When a closed-loop burst is delivered, the controller preemptively modifies subsequent open-loop scheduling to account for the stimulation already provided, preventing redundant or excessive stimulation that could cause harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation schedule is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt in real-time to actual therapy delivery. The controller continuously monitors stimulation events and adjusts the timing and parameters of subsequent bursts to maintain appropriate stimulation levels, preventing both under-stimulation and over-stimulation scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises applying a first open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a first rate. The method also comprises applying a closed-loop electrical signal to the neural structure in response to an event detection, thus causing an overall rate at which electrical stimulation is applied to the neural structure to exceed the first rate. The method further comprises applying a second open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a second rate that is lower than the first rate, thus causing the overall rate to be reduced to the first rate.