Implantable Pulse Generator Voltage Control for Battery Longevity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Paresthesia-free spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems face challenges with increased power consumption and inefficient battery management, leading to accelerated battery depletion and potential irreversible damage due to overcharging or over-discharging, which affects the reliability and convenience of therapy delivery.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a closed-loop system that automatically adjusts electrical signal parameters and battery charging/discharging thresholds to optimize power usage, using a battery protection circuit to prevent thermal runaway and extend battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If paresthesia-free SCS therapy is delivered at higher frequencies and amplitudes, then pain treatment effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts signal parameters (frequency, amplitude, pulse width) based on real-time feedback from impedance measurements and patient response, optimizing power consumption while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness. The pulse generator can vary parameters between pulses or over time to achieve pain relief with lower average power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs changes in electrical signal parameters (frequency, amplitude, pulse duration, waveform shape) to achieve paresthesia-free pain relief. By optimizing these parameters, the system delivers effective therapy at lower power consumption levels compared to conventional high-frequency stimulation.
2Reliability
If the battery charge rate is decreased to prevent overcharging and thermal runaway, then battery safety is improved, but charging time increases and patient convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor battery charge state, temperature, and charge rate in real-time. Based on this feedback, the pulse generator automatically adjusts the charge rate to prevent thermal runaway while minimizing charging time. The system can switch between fast charging modes (when safe) and conservative charging modes (when temperature or voltage thresholds are approached).
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessments of battery conditions (temperature, charge state, impedance) before initiating or resuming charging. This preliminary action allows the system to establish safe charge rates in advance, preventing the need for overly conservative charging that would extend charging time unnecessarily.
3Reliability
If signal conditioning hardware is added to boost voltage as battery discharges, then therapy effectiveness is maintained, but device complexity and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse generator is designed to perform multiple functions including voltage regulation, signal conditioning, impedance measurement, and parameter optimization using integrated circuits. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate voltage boosting hardware while maintaining therapy effectiveness throughout the battery discharge cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for the efficient use of an implantable pulse generator (IPG) battery are disclosed. A representative system for adjusting an electrical signal of an IPG associated with delivering therapy to a patient comprises a computer readable medium having instructions that cause the IPG to deliver a supply voltage at a first value, adjust the supply voltage from the first value until a threshold break occurs, and, based at least in part of the threshold break, increase the supply voltage from the second value to a third value. As therapy is delivered to the patient, the system iteratively adjusts the supply voltage to approach and reflect a variable minimum voltage needed to provide the requested current to the IPG.