Neuromodulation Field Programming via Electrode Subset Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neurostimulation systems often deliver simplistic patterns of electrical pulses, which can be interpreted by the nervous system as unnatural, leading to unintended sensations and movements, and are limited in customization, reducing efficacy and increasing side effects.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to define and customize neuromodulation fields using a programmer to select a subset of electrodes and redistribute current, simplifying the anode/cathode configuration and reducing power consumption by eliminating electrodes with small currents, thereby generating more sophisticated and personalized pulse patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple electrodes are used to generate neuromodulation fields, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies and eliminates electrodes with minimal current contribution from the determined subset, extracting only the essential electrodes needed for effective neuromodulation. This reduces the number of active electrodes while maintaining therapeutic efficacy, thereby simplifying the electrode configuration and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts current distribution parameters across electrodes based on real-time analysis of electrode contribution. By redistributing current from eliminated electrodes to remaining electrodes in the reduced subset, the system optimizes the electrical parameters to maintain therapeutic effectiveness with fewer electrodes.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple electrodes with small currents are used, then current distribution is optimized, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes electrodes that contribute minimally to the overall current distribution, eliminating wasted power consumption. By identifying electrodes with small current contributions and removing them from the active subset, the system optimizes power efficiency while maintaining current distribution effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards electrodes with minimal current contribution and recovers their current by redistributing it to the remaining electrodes in the reduced subset. This ensures that the total therapeutic current is maintained while eliminating power waste associated with activating unnecessary electrodes.
3Reliability
If sophisticated pulse patterns are generated, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but programming time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic electrode selection and current redistribution without requiring manual programming intervention. The processor automatically determines the optimal electrode subset, analyzes current contributions, eliminates unnecessary electrodes, and redistributes current autonomously, significantly reducing programming time while maintaining sophisticated pulse pattern capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automatic optimization of electrode configuration and current distribution before therapy delivery. By pre-determining the optimal reduced subset of electrodes and their current distributions, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming manual programming adjustments during clinical setup.
Data Source
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AI summary
An example includes machine-implemented method of providing therapy to a patient using a plurality of electrodes implanted within the patient that includes receiving, via a programmer for an electrical stimulator, user input that at least partially defines a neuromodulation field to provide the therapy, based on the received user input, determining a subset of the plurality of electrodes and current distributions for the subset to generate the field, comparing an electrode limit to a number of electrodes in the determined subset and eliminating at least one of the number of electrodes in the determined subset based on the comparison to provide a reduced subset of the electrodes, and redistributing current associated with the at least one eliminated electrode to at least one of the electrodes in the reduced subset of electrodes.