Neuromodulation Priming Field for Spinal Cord Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) systems face challenges in finding an optimal location for neuromodulation due to extended testing durations and patient discomfort, as they rely on paresthesia-induced feedback, which is not always effective for sub-perception therapy and requires a wash-in period for pain relief.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a priming field with lower intensity neuromodulation to quickly identify the sweet spot for sub-perception neuromodulation, reducing wash-in time and allowing for faster pain relief by priming neural tissue before adjusting neuromodulation parameters, using techniques such as fractionalized current control and temporal shaping of pulse trains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional SCS systems use paresthesia-induced feedback for optimal location searching, then pain relief can be achieved, but testing duration is extended and patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies a priming field before the main neuromodulation therapy to pre-condition the neural tissue. This preliminary action reduces the wash-in period required for pain relief and allows faster identification of optimal parameters, thereby reducing testing duration while maintaining pain relief effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the intensity parameter by using a lower intensity priming field compared to conventional therapy. This parameter change enables faster neural tissue response and reduces the time required to achieve therapeutic effect, addressing both the time loss and reliability aspects
2Reliability
If conventional SCS systems use paresthesia-induced feedback for optimal location searching, then pain relief can be achieved, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The priming field is applied before main therapy to pre-condition neural tissue, reducing the intensity and duration of uncomfortable paresthesia sensations during optimal location searching. This preliminary conditioning allows effective pain relief with reduced patient discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses lower intensity parameters for the priming field compared to conventional paresthesia-induced therapy. This parameter change reduces the harmful discomfort effect while maintaining the therapeutic benefit of pain relief
3Measurement precision
If complex virtual pole configurations are used to target specific areas, then targeting precision is improved, but device complexity and testing duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The priming field is applied across the electrode array before detailed virtual pole configuration. This preliminary step identifies general responsive areas, simplifying subsequent precise targeting and reducing the complexity of electrode configuration adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the intensity parameter to a lower level for priming, which produces broader, less localized effects. This simplifies the initial targeting process before fine-tuning with complex virtual pole configurations, thereby reducing overall device complexity requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a neuromodulation customization system for use with a neuromodulation device having neuromodulation output circuitry to generate a modulation field via a set of electrodes, comprising a field definition user interface to facilitate entry of a customized electrotherapy field definition the field definition user interface including a set of input controls for defining a shape, field intensity, and field steering parameters of the of the customized electrotherapy field, a neuromodulation signaling engine to produce commands for the neuromodulation output circuitry to control generation of a customized electrotherapy field via the set of electrodes based on the customized electrotherapy field definition, including generating a neuromodulation parameter set for controlling current at individual ones of a set of electrodes to collectively produce the defined shape of the modulation field, and a supervisor engine to determine that the customized electrotherapy field to be generated is in compliance with applicable predefined criteria, and to use the generated neuromodulation parameter set to produce the modulation field with the defined field shape when the assessment indicates compliance of the defined field shape with the applicable predefined criteria.