Neurostimulation Feedback Receiver for Discreet Therapy Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of programming neurostimulation devices is the significant time and energy required for in-clinic testing and evaluation, with varying at-home outcomes, necessitating an improved system for programming therapy devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a neurostimulator with a feedback receiver that allows patients to provide discreet user feedback through taps, swipes, or movements, enabling timely evaluation of stimulation parameter sets using sensors and a processing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If in-clinic testing and evaluation is performed to program neurostimulation devices, then therapy programming can be conducted with professional guidance, but significant time and energy are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary testing and evaluation of multiple stimulation parameter sets in-clinic before the patient leaves. This advance preparation allows the programming work to be completed beforehand, reducing the time required for subsequent at-home adjustments and enabling the patient to use the device effectively immediately without requiring extended clinic visits for ongoing programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where patients can report therapy effects and side effects at home, and this feedback is used to refine and adjust the stimulation parameters. This closed-loop feedback process allows the initial in-clinic programming to be optimized based on actual patient experience, improving reliability while minimizing the time needed for iterative adjustments.
2Measurement precision
If multiple stimulation parameter sets are tested in clinic, then therapy effectiveness can be evaluated, but at-home outcomes may substantially vary
Solution Approach 1:
The system conducts comprehensive testing of multiple stimulation parameter sets in-clinic before the patient goes home. This preliminary evaluation allows the programming team to identify which parameter sets produce the most consistent and effective results during controlled observation, selecting the most reliable parameters for at-home use and reducing variability in outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from patient reporting at home to refine the selected stimulation parameters. By continuously monitoring and adjusting based on real-world patient experience, the system ensures that the therapy parameters maintain their effectiveness and consistency across different usage conditions, bridging the gap between clinic evaluation and at-home performance.
3Loss of information
If traditional feedback methods are used for neurostimulation programming, then patient input can be collected, but the process is time-consuming and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patients to self-report therapy effects and side effects directly through the device or associated applications without requiring clinician intervention for each feedback entry. This self-service approach allows patients to provide continuous feedback at their own pace, eliminating the time-consuming process of manual data collection and review by programming specialists.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and collect patient input regarding therapy effectiveness and any adverse effects. This automated feedback loop efficiently aggregates patient experiences and transmits the data to the programming system, significantly reducing the time required for feedback collection compared to traditional manual methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and effective programming of neurostimulation therapies outside the clinic, allowing patients to provide feedback for personalized and precise adjustments to the efficacy of the efficacy of the technical solution.
Implementation Method 1
sensor(s) to sense user taps on or near the feedback receiver
Implementation Method 2
sensor(s) to sense user taps on or near the feedback receiver
Implementation Method 3
a swiping motion across at least some of the feedback receiver
Implementation Method 4
feedback receiver movement
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a neurostimulator, a feedback receiver, and a processing system. The neurostimulator may use program(s) to deliver a neurostimulation therapy to treat a patient condition and provide therapy outcomes. The feedback receiver may receive user feedback about the neurostimulation therapy, the patient condition or the therapy outcomes. The feedback receiver may include sensor(s) to sense user taps on or near the feedback receiver, a swiping motion across at least some of the feedback receiver, and/or feedback receiver movement. The processing system may test stimulation parameter sets including configure the neurostimulator to deliver the electrical energy using each of the tested stimulation parameter sets and use the user feedback to evaluate the tested stimulation parameter sets. The feedback receiver enables the patient to discreetly provide user feedback in a timely manner for a monitoring/programming application.