External Cable Box Memory for Trial Stimulator Port Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for spinal cord stimulation systems lack a reliable and user-friendly way to ensure proper connection of external stimulation cables to an external trial stimulator during the trial stimulation phase, leading to potential misconnection and incorrect delivery of electrical therapy programs.
Innovation Solution
An improved external cable box assembly with embedded memory and logic circuitry, and an external trial stimulator with associated logic circuitry that reads and writes cable addresses, alerts the user to incorrect connections, and automatically reroutes the correct therapy program to prevent misstimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external stimulation cables are used during trial stimulation phase, then flexibility and adjustability of therapy are improved, but risk of misconnection and incorrect therapy delivery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic feedback by reading the cable address code upon connection and comparing it with the stored program assignment. The ETS compares the detected cable address with the programmed port-cable associations and either confirms correct connection or alerts the user to misconnection, providing real-time verification that eliminates manual checking errors.
Solution Approach 2:
An address code (intermediary element) is introduced between the cable and the ETS system. This address code serves as a mediator that carries identification information, allowing the ETS to automatically identify which cable is connected to which port and deliver the correct therapy program without relying on user memory or manual configuration.
2Device complexity
If manual cable connection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user error risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-verification by automatically detecting the cable address code and comparing it with the stored configuration. The ETS autonomously determines whether cables are correctly connected and either proceeds with therapy delivery or generates an alert, eliminating the need for user intervention in the verification process while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical verification process (visual inspection, label reading, port matching) is replaced with an electronic detection system that automatically reads the address code and verifies connections through electrical signals, substituting human cognitive tasks with automated electronic verification.
3Ease of manufacture
If cable identification labels are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but measurement precision of cable identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using physical labels that can be misread or lost, the system uses electronic address codes embedded in the cable assembly. These electronic codes provide a precise, machine-readable copy of the cable identification information that can be automatically detected and verified, eliminating reading errors while keeping the physical cable structure simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an improved external cable box assembly and external trial stimulator (ETS) for use with an implantable medical device. The improved external cable box assembly has memory and logic circuitry embedded in it which allows the cable box to be identified. Associated logic circuitry in the improved ETS allows the ETS to read and write characteristics—such as electronic identifiers or cable addresses—of the external cable box assemblies and to store the values of those characteristics in its memory, associating characteristic values with each of its ports. If the external cable box assemblies become unplugged from the ETS and then are reconnected to incorrect ports on the ETS, logic in the ETS will either alert the patient to swap the port locations of the external stimulation cables, or the ETS will automatically reroute the correct therapy through each port.