Adjusting Stimulation Recharge Parameters to Minimize Evoked Response Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices face challenges in accurately analyzing evoked response signals due to artifacts from stimulation pulses, which can obscure the actual physiological response, leading to inefficacious therapy and the need for frequent clinical adjustments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that monitors and analyzes characteristics of artifacts in sensed evoked response signals to adjust stimulation recharge parameters, minimizing their impact and optimizing electrode potential, allowing for closed-loop stimulation therapy without the need for direct current connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stimulation pulses are delivered to target anatomy, then electrical stimulation therapy is provided, but artifacts are generated in sensed evoked response signals that obscure physiological response
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback by analyzing artifact characteristics in sensed evoked response signals and using this information to adjust stimulation recharge parameters. The processing circuitry continuously monitors the sensed signals, identifies artifact properties, and modifies subsequent stimulation pulses to reduce artifact generation, creating a closed-loop control system that progressively improves signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes stimulation parameters (specifically recharge parameters such as pulse width, amplitude, or timing) based on analyzed artifact characteristics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between delivering effective therapy and minimizing artifact generation in the sensed signals.
2Reliability
If recharge phases are configured to charge balance stimulation signals, then charge build up is prevented on DC blocking capacitors and electrode-tissue interface, but this may not minimize artifacts in sensed signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system moves from open-loop charge balancing to closed-loop control by using feedback from artifact analysis. The processing circuitry analyzes sensed signals for artifact characteristics and uses this information to dynamically adjust recharge phase parameters, optimizing both charge balance and artifact minimization simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes recharge phase parameters (such as duration, amplitude, or timing) based on real-time analysis of artifact characteristics. This allows the system to optimize recharge configuration for each specific condition, rather than using fixed charge-balancing parameters that may not minimize artifacts.
3Measurement precision
If artifact amplitude is reduced through parameter adjustment, then evoked response analysis accuracy is improved, but stimulation therapy effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes targeted parameter changes specifically in the recharge phase (such as adjusting recharge pulse width or timing) rather than modifying the primary stimulation pulse parameters. This allows optimization of signal quality for sensing while maintaining the therapeutic effectiveness of the main stimulation pulses.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulation signal is segmented into distinct phases (primary stimulation pulse and recharge phase). The system independently optimizes parameters for each phase, allowing the primary pulse to maintain therapy effectiveness while the recharge phase is adjusted to minimize artifacts in sensed signals.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves the accuracy of evoked response characterization, leading to more effective electrical stimulation therapy with reduced power consumption and longer battery life, enabling more precise and efficient treatment delivery.
Implementation Method 1
prevent charge build up on direct current (DC) blocking capacitors of the IMD (if such DC blocking capacitors are used) as well as charge build up on an electrode-tissue (or anatomy) interface
Data Source
AI summary
Example techniques, devices, and systems are described herein. An example device includes stimulation generation circuitry, sensing circuitry, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to control the stimulation generation circuitry to generate a first stimulation signal having a first stimulation recharge parameter for delivery to target anatomy and receive from the sensing circuitry a sensed evoked response signal. The processing circuitry is configured to analyze the sensed evoked response signal for one or more artifacts and adjust, based on the one or more artifacts, the first stimulation recharge parameter to determine a second stimulation recharge parameter. The processing circuitry is also configured to control the stimulation generation circuitry to generate a second stimulation signal having the second stimulation recharge parameter for delivery to the target anatomy.