Implantable Pulse Generator with Standby Mode for Spinal Cord Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spinal cord stimulators face challenges with power consumption and the ability to generate diverse stimulation patterns simultaneously, limiting their effectiveness in treating varying pain levels across different body areas.

Innovation Solution

An implantable pulse generator (IPG) with a programmable signal generator that can operate without a processor, control registers for storing stimulation parameters, an arbitrator to prevent channel overlap, and a timing generator and high frequency generator for modulating stimulation signals, allowing for flexible and efficient power management and simultaneous treatment of multiple areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If current generators are used to provide spinal cord stimulation, then pain control is achieved, but power consumption is excessive requiring frequent recharging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidrecharging frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements burst-mode stimulation where the pulse generator alternates between active stimulation periods and standby periods. The controller activates the pulse generator only when stimulation is needed, allowing the battery to enter a low-power state during intervals, thereby reducing overall power consumption and extending battery life between recharges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic power management where the pulse generator's operational state is continuously adjusted based on real-time stimulation requirements. The controller dynamically switches the pulse generator between fully active, partial activity, and standby modes, optimizing power consumption while maintaining effective pain control when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If current generators are used to provide spinal cord stimulation, then pain control is achieved, but the ability to generate different stimulation patterns for different body parts is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation pattern diversityVSAvoidgenerator architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pulse generator into multiple independent programmable channels, each capable of generating distinct stimulation patterns independently. This segmentation allows simultaneous delivery of different stimulation waveforms to different spinal cord segments or body regions, providing versatile pain management without requiring multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal pulse generator architecture where a single device can perform multiple stimulation functions through programmable channels. Each channel can be configured with different parameters (frequency, amplitude, pulse width) to treat various pain conditions, making the device adaptable to diverse clinical scenarios without increasing physical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10226628B2Implantable pulse generator that generates spinal cord stimulation signals for a human body

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 CIRTEC MEDICAL CORP

AI summary

An implantable pulse generator (IPG) that generates spinal cord stimulation signals for a human body has a programmable signal generator that can generate the signals based on stored signal parameters without any intervention from a processor that controls the overall operation of the IPG. While the signal generator is generating the signals the processor can be in a standby mode to substantially save battery power.