Fractionalized Stimulation Pulses for Current Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable stimulator devices face challenges in optimizing electrode activation during setup due to limitations in IPG architectures that do not allow simultaneous selection of multiple electrodes as sources or sinks, leading to complexities in current steering techniques that require multiple timing channels and are not universally applicable.
Innovation Solution
The method involves reconstructing ideal pulses into fractionalized pulses that are interleaved and applied non-simultaneously, allowing for effective current steering in devices with simpler architectures using a single timing channel, where each electrode is active as a source or sink at different times, maintaining the total charge and therapeutic effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are selected as sources or sinks simultaneously in IPG architectures, then current steering capability is improved, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using fractionalized stimulation pulses that are delivered in a sequential, periodic manner rather than simultaneously. The ideal pulse is divided into multiple fractionalized pulses delivered at different times, allowing the system to achieve current steering effects through time-multiplexed electrode activation. This resolves the contradiction by enabling versatile current steering capability while maintaining simpler IPG architecture that does not require simultaneous multi-electrode selection circuitry.
2Productivity
If multiple timing channels are used for current steering, then electrode activation optimization is improved, but device complexity and software requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the ideal stimulation pulse into multiple fractionalized pulses that are delivered sequentially through a single timing channel. Each fractionalized pulse activates a subset of electrodes, and the combination of these segmented pulses in sequence achieves the desired current steering effect. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high productivity in electrode optimization while avoiding the complexity of multiple simultaneous timing channels.
3Reliability
If simultaneous pulse delivery is used, then therapy effectiveness is improved, but hardware capability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating multiple fractionalized copies of the ideal pulse, each delivered at different times to different electrode configurations. These copied pulses collectively reproduce the therapeutic effect of the original ideal simultaneous pulse. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining therapy effectiveness through the cumulative effect of fractionalized pulse copies while ensuring compatibility with simpler hardware that cannot deliver truly simultaneous multi-electrode stimulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring stimulation pulses in an implantable stimulator device having a plurality of electrodes is disclosed, which method is particularly useful in adjusting the electrodes by current steering during initialization of the device. In one aspect, a set of ideal pulses for patient therapy is determined, in which at least two of the ideal pulses are of the same polarity and are intended to be simultaneous applied to corresponding electrodes on the implantable stimulator device during an initial duration. These pulses are reconstructed into fractionalized pulses, each comprised of pulse portions. The fractionalized pulses are applied to the corresponding electrodes on the device during a final duration, but the pulse portions of the fractionalized pulses are not simultaneously applied during the final duration.