Electrode Electrical Stimulation Amplitude Control With Fractional Regulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices struggle to independently control the amplitude of electrical stimulation delivered to individual electrodes while maintaining the amplitude of other electrodes, leading to inefficiencies in adjusting therapy settings.
Innovation Solution
A user interface that allows for input of desired amplitudes for individual electrodes, with a stimulation generator adjusting fractions of current regulator branches and master amplitudes to achieve the desired amplitudes while maintaining other electrode amplitudes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single master amplitude is used for all electrodes, then power supply simplicity is improved, but the ability to independently control amplitude for individual electrodes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The current regulator is divided into multiple independent current regulator branches, each capable of independently regulating current for a specific electrode. This segmentation allows each electrode to have its own amplitude control while sharing a common master power source, resolving the contradiction between power supply simplicity and independent control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each current regulator branch is designed with localized control capabilities, where the control circuitry for each electrode can independently adjust its current amplitude. This local quality approach enables differentiated amplitude settings for different electrodes without requiring separate master power sources, maintaining power supply simplicity while achieving independent control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual amplitude control for each electrode is implemented, then therapy customization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple current regulator branches are merged under a single master power source and control system. The control circuit receives a single control signal and distributes appropriate current amplitudes to each electrode through the respective regulator branches. This merging approach enables therapy customization for each electrode while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent power sources and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of generating appropriate control signals for all current regulator branches simultaneously. This universal control approach allows the system to customize therapy for each electrode through a single integrated control interface, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If current regulator branches are used for each electrode, then independent amplitude control is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The current regulator branches continuously regulate current from a single master power source, maintaining efficient power conversion throughout the system. By keeping the power regulation process continuous and integrated rather than using multiple discrete power sources, the system achieves independent amplitude control while minimizing power losses and consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described, for medical devices that deliver electrical stimulation using current or voltage regulators having an adjustable master amplitude. One example method includes receiving, via a programmer for an electrical stimulator, user input indicating a desired electrical current amplitude, and selecting a first fraction adjustment or a second fraction adjustment, as a target adjustment for achieving the desired electrical current amplitude. A neuromodulation system comprises: a first electrode; a second electrode; a stimulation generator configured to deliver first stimulation pulses to the first electrode and second stimulation pulses to the second electrode, wherein a first electrical current amplitude of the first stimulation pulses is a first fraction of a master amplitude and a second electrical current amplitude of the second stimulation pulses is a second fraction of the master amplitude; and a processor configured to generate an initial instruction for the stimulation generator to deliver (i) the first simulation pulses based on the first fraction of the master amplitude, and (ii) the second stimulation pulses based on the second fraction of the master amplitude, receive user input comprising a desired electrical current amplitude, determine that an adjustment to the first electrical current amplitude of the first stimulation pulses is required based on the desired electrical current amplitude, and determine, based at least in part on a comparison of the desired electrical current amplitude to the master amplitude, a target adjustment, wherein the processor is further configured to (A) determine, as the target adjustment, an adjustment to at least the first fraction, or (B) determine, as the target adjustment (i) an adjustment to the master amplitude, and (ii) an adjustment to at least the second fraction relative to the master amplitude adjustment, and generate, based at least in part on the target adjustment, an adjustment instruction for the stimulation generator to deliver the first stimulation pulses at the desired electrical current amplitude and deliver the second stimulation pulses at approximately the same second electrical current amplitude.