Implantable Pulse Generator Standby Mode for Spinal Cord Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spinal cord stimulators face challenges with high power consumption, requiring frequent recharging and limited ability to generate diverse stimulation patterns simultaneously, making it difficult to effectively treat varying pain levels across different body areas.

Innovation Solution

An implantable pulse generator with a programmable signal generator that can operate without processor intervention, featuring control registers for stimulation channels, an arbitrator to prevent simultaneous channel activation, and high frequency generators for flexible pulse parameter programming, allowing for independent amplitude control and modulation of stimulation signals across multiple channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If current spinal cord stimulators are used, then spinal cord stimulation can be provided, but power consumption is high requiring frequent recharging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pulse generator enables the processor to enter a standby mode during signal generation, allowing the system to self-manage power consumption by automatically reducing processor activity when not needed, thereby extending battery life without user intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic processor activation where the processor operates intermittently between standby modes, activating only when signal generation is required and remaining in low-power standby during continuous signal generation phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If current spinal cord stimulators are used, then stimulation can be provided, but the ability to generate different stimulation patterns simultaneously is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation pattern diversityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pulse generator is divided into multiple independent stimulation channels, each capable of generating different stimulation patterns simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to provide diverse stimulation patterns to different body areas while maintaining independent control over each channel's power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically allocates processor resources to active channels only, allowing the number of simultaneously active stimulation patterns to vary based on therapeutic needs while optimizing power consumption by processing only the necessary channels at any given time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11331490B2Implantable pulse generator that generates spinal cord stimulation signals for a human body

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 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.