Neuromodulation Lead User Interface for Virtual Electrode Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neuromodulation systems, particularly those with directional leads, face complexity in programming due to numerous electrodes, leading to overwhelming information for clinicians, which complicates the selection and configuration of optimal electrode settings for effective and efficient neuromodulation.
Innovation Solution
A user interface with simplified graphical representations (SGRs) of neuromodulation leads and virtual electrodes, allowing for longitudinal and circumferential adjustments, enables clinicians to efficiently determine and program neuromodulation parameter sets, simplifying the configuration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes are distributed axially and circumferentially around the lead, then the ability to accurately target neural tissue is improved, but the programming complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lead is divided into multiple axially and circumferentially distributed electrodes, allowing independent selection and configuration of electrode subsets. This segmentation enables precise targeting by activating only the specific electrodes needed for each patient's anatomical requirements, while the programming system manages the complexity through automated subset generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode arrangement adds a circumferential dimension to the traditional axial distribution, creating a two-dimensional electrode matrix. This multi-dimensional configuration provides richer spatial selectivity for targeting neural structures, while the programming interface translates these complex multi-dimensional selections into manageable parameter sets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are distributed axially and circumferentially around the lead, then directional stimulation capability is improved, but the information presented to the clinician becomes overwhelming
Solution Approach 1:
The programming system creates virtual representations of the electrode configurations and pre-calculates multiple parameter sets corresponding to different directional stimulation patterns. These copied parameter sets are presented to the clinician in an organized manner, transforming the overwhelming raw electrode data into manageable, pre-processed options that maintain directional capability while reducing information load.
3Use of energy by moving object
If proper electrode configuration is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but the complexity of determining optimal configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The programming system pre-calculates and stores multiple electrode configuration parameter sets before actual therapy delivery. These pre-determined configurations are optimized for energy efficiency based on various targeting scenarios. During therapy, the clinician simply selects from these pre-computed options rather than performing complex real-time optimization, thereby reducing energy consumption while avoiding the burden of complex real-time configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for determining a parameter set and programming a neuromodulation system with the parameter set are disclosed. The system includes a user interface having a display screen to display simplified graphical representations (SGRs) of the lead with at least one virtual electrode (VE) that represents one or more electrodes, and control elements. The SGRs of the lead can provide longitudinal and circumferential representations of the VE, respectively representing longitudinal or circumferential position, size, shape, or spread of the VE. The control elements may include longitudinal and circumferential control elements to enable the user to respectively adjust the longitudinal or circumferential position, size, shape, or spread of the VE. The system may generate the neuromodulation parameter set using the longitudinal and circumferential representations of the VE, and program the neuromodulation system with the neuromodulation parameter set.