Selective Evoked Response Sensing for Neuromodulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for guiding neurostimulation therapy using evoked responses, such as ERNA, are time-consuming and resource-intensive, as they require multiple stimulation-ER tests and large volumes of ER recordings to identify optimal lead placement and programming settings.

Innovation Solution

The system selectively senses evoked responses from a group of electrodes, distinct from or proximate to the stimulating electrode, and employs a model-based artifact characterization and removal technique to improve signal quality and accuracy of lead placement and programming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple stimulation-ER tests are performed to identify optimal lead placement and programming settings, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of identifying evoked responsesVSAvoidtime required for lead placement and programming

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the evoked response measurement process by selectively using only a group of sensing electrodes that are distinct from or proximate to the stimulating electrode, rather than using all available electrodes. This segmentation reduces the volume of ER recordings needed while maintaining measurement accuracy, thereby reducing the time required for lead placement and programming optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by collecting ER recordings from only a subset of sensing electrodes rather than all electrodes in the system. This partial sampling approach is sufficient to identify the desired evoked response target and guide lead placement, significantly reducing the time and computational resources required while maintaining adequate measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If ER recordings are collected from all electrodes to ensure comprehensive coverage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness of ER distribution estimateVSAvoidvolume of ER recordings to be processed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrode array into stimulating electrodes and a selective group of sensing electrodes. By using only the necessary sensing electrodes for ER measurement, the system reduces the complexity of data acquisition and processing while maintaining reliable estimates of evoked response distribution through strategic electrode selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential sensing function from the complete electrode system by using a separate group of sensing electrodes distinct from the stimulating electrodes. This extraction approach simplifies the overall system operation by dedicating specific electrodes to specific functions and reducing the total data processing burden while maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If a large number of electrodes are used for sensing to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information increases due to artifact contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of sensed evoked responseVSAvoidsignal quality degraded by artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the evoked response signal from a selective group of sensing electrodes that are spatially separated from the stimulating electrodes. This extraction approach minimizes the contamination from stimulation artifacts while capturing the essential neural response, thereby improving signal quality and reducing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by selecting sensing electrodes with specific spatial characteristics relative to the stimulating electrode. The sensing electrodes are positioned to be distinct from or proximate to the stimulating electrode, creating an optimal local measurement zone that captures the evoked response while minimizing artifact contamination from the stimulation site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250041605A1Systems and methods for neuromodulation based on selective evoked responses

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for selective sensing of evoked responses (ERs) and using the ERs to guide neuromodulation are disclosed. An exemplary system comprises at least one multi-electrode lead, an electrostimulator to provide electrostimulation to a neural target, a sensing circuit to sense ERs to electrostimulation, and a controller circuit. In response to electrostimulation delivered to the neural target in accordance with a stimulation setting via a stimulating electrode, the controller circuit can collect ERs from each of a group of sensing electrodes selected from and less than an entirety of the electrodes on the lead. The selected electrodes can be distinct from the stimulating electrode, or within a specific proximity to the stimulating electrode. The controller circuit can use a comparison of the sensed ERs to acceptance criterion to aid in lead placement and stimulation programming.