Implantable Pulse Generator Blended Current Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable pulse generators face challenges in efficiently using battery power while delivering high-energy therapy with small-geometry electrodes, leading to potential side effects from undesired tissue stimulation during deep brain stimulation.
Innovation Solution
An implantable pulse generator with circuitry that monitors and adjusts the amplitude of electrical pulses, allowing for blended current and voltage control to ensure full output current delivery while maintaining voltage levels, thereby optimizing battery usage and reducing side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-energy therapy is delivered using small-geometry electrodes, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse generator dynamically switches between current-controlled and voltage-controlled output modes based on real-time impedance detection. During the pulse delivery, the system monitors impedance values and adjusts control mode accordingly - using current control when impedance is within optimal range and voltage control when impedance changes occur, thereby optimizing battery power consumption while maintaining therapeutic efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting the control mode (current vs voltage control) and pulse delivery parameters based on detected impedance values. This allows the device to adapt to varying tissue conditions and electrode-tissue interfaces, maintaining effective therapy delivery while minimizing energy consumption
2Measurement precision
If conventional current-controlled output is used, then charge delivery is predictable, but output range is limited with small-geometry electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse generator is designed with multi-functionality to operate in both current-controlled and voltage-controlled modes. This universal design allows the single device to handle diverse electrode geometries and tissue impedances, expanding the output range while maintaining the predictability of charge delivery through intelligent mode selection based on real-time impedance monitoring
3Use of energy by moving object
If voltage level is increased to maintain current delivery, then battery efficiency improves, but side effects from undesired tissue stimulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring impedance during pulse delivery and adjusting the control mode accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the device to maintain appropriate voltage and current levels, improving battery efficiency while preventing excessive stimulation of undesired tissue by adapting to real-time electrical conditions
Data Source
AI summary
System and methods for providing a pulsed therapy comprises an implantable pulse generator (IPG) having circuitry configured to control generation and delivery of electrical pulses using at least one electrode of a stimulation lead. The IPG further comprises memory configured to store program instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the program instructions. The one or more processors are configured to deliver the pulses, having a corresponding pulse duration and an amplitude, to the at least one electrode. The amplitude can vary over the pulse duration of at least one of the pulses. The processor(s), monitor a signal indicative of a present level of the amplitude of the at least one pulse, and based on the signal, declare a pulse valid based on the present level satisfying an initial criteria for at a sub-duration of the pulse duration that is less than an entire pulse duration.