Linked Area Parameter Adjustment for Spinal Cord Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal cord stimulation systems for managing pain are inefficient due to the need for complex manual adjustments of electrical waveform parameters across multiple areas, often resulting in marginal effectiveness and time-consuming trial-and-error processes, as they fail to account for varying pain thresholds across different body regions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method to automatically adjust the amplitude or other waveform parameters across linked areas using a scaling factor based on individual therapy ranges, allowing for precise modulation of electrical waveforms to optimize pain management by linking the adjustment of parameters between different areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustments of electrical waveform parameters are made across multiple areas, then the system can accommodate varying pain thresholds in different body regions, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent parameter adjustment controls into a single unified control interface. When a user adjusts a waveform parameter, the system automatically applies proportional changes across all linked electrode areas based on pre-determined scaling factors, merging what would otherwise require multiple separate adjustments into one simple operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic scaling factors that automatically adjust the distribution of waveform parameters across different electrode areas. These scaling factors are determined based on individual therapy ranges for each area and are applied in real-time as the user adjusts parameters, allowing the system to adaptively distribute stimulation intensity according to varying pain thresholds without requiring manual configuration for each area.
2Reliability
If manual trial-and-error adjustments are performed to optimize pain management, then individual pain thresholds can be addressed, but the process is time-consuming and often results in marginal effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration by determining therapy ranges and calculating scaling factors for each electrode area before the user begins adjustment. This pre-computation of area relationships and threshold-based scaling ratios eliminates the need for time-consuming trial-and-error, as the automatic proportional distribution immediately optimizes parameter delivery across all areas when the user makes a single adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where user responses to stimulation are used to refine and update scaling factors and therapy ranges. This continuous feedback loop allows the system to learn and adapt to the patient's specific pain thresholds and responses, improving effectiveness over time while reducing the need for manual re-adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If electrical waveform parameters are adjusted independently for each area, then precise control over each region can be achieved, but the system becomes difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent parameter controls into a single unified adjustment mechanism. Users interact with one control interface to adjust waveform parameters, and the system automatically distributes these adjustments across all linked electrode areas using pre-calculated scaling factors, maintaining precision while dramatically simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic proportional distribution of waveform parameters across electrode areas without requiring user intervention for each individual area. The scaling factors and therapy ranges are self-determined based on patient-specific characteristics, and the system self-adjusts parameter distribution in real-time as the user makes high-level control decisions, eliminating the need for manual configuration of each electrode.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing pain in a patient using an electrical waveform that link the modulation of a waveform parameter for different areas of a patient. One embodiment in a system for managing pain in a patient comprises an electric device configured to be implanted into the patient and including a plurality of electrodes having at least a first electrode associated with a first area of the patient and a second electrode associated with a second area of the patient. The system further includes an implantable device configured to be coupled to the electrode device and having a computer-operable medium programmed to change the waveform parameter applied to the first electrode and automatically set the waveform parameter applied to the second electrode based on a relationship between a first therapy range and a second therapy range of the waveform parameter.