Neurostimulation Parameter Dithering for Finer Pulse Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neurostimulation systems face limitations in resolution for controlling stimulation parameters, particularly for low-intensity therapies like DBS and VNS, due to hardware constraints, which can be costly to modify in terms of power consumption and space.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that dithers stimulation parameters by interleaving higher and lower values at a calculated ratio to achieve finer resolution without modifying the hardware, using an external programming device to control an implantable neurostimulator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hardware resolution is increased to achieve finer control of stimulation parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based resolution limitations with a software/digital processing solution. The control circuit uses dithering algorithms to generate intermediate parameter values through digital computation rather than requiring additional hardware bits for precision. This substitutes the mechanical/hardware resolution constraint with a computational approach that achieves the same measurement precision without increasing physical device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by introducing dithered parameter values that are computed as weighted averages of discrete hardware-available values. Instead of directly using fixed-resolution hardware parameters, the system transforms them through dithering algorithms that generate effective parameter values with higher precision, thereby improving measurement precision without modifying hardware resolution settings.
2Measurement precision
If hardware resolution is increased to achieve finer control of stimulation parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces power-intensive hardware resolution increases with a computationally efficient software-based dithering approach. By using digital signal processing algorithms to generate intermediate parameter values, the system avoids the additional power consumption that would result from increasing hardware bit depth or adding higher-resolution DACs, thus maintaining lower power consumption while achieving finer measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of parameter values through dithering, where intermediate parameter values are synthesized as weighted combinations of available discrete hardware values. This copying approach allows the system to access fine-resolution parameter settings without physically implementing higher-resolution hardware, thereby avoiding the associated power consumption penalties.
3Manufacturing precision
If hardware resolution is increased to achieve finer control of stimulation parameters, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes hardware-based precision control mechanisms with software-based dithering algorithms. Instead of manufacturing higher-resolution hardware components, the system achieves fine parameter control precision through digital computation that generates intermediate values via dithering, thereby improving manufacturing precision without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing hardware parameters multi-functional by enabling them to represent multiple effective values through dithering. The same hardware parameter setting can produce different effective parameter values depending on the dithering sequence and weighting, allowing one hardware configuration to serve multiple precision requirements without adding hardware complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An example of a system for delivering neurostimulation pulses includes a stimulation output circuit setting a hardware resolution for each stimulation parameter. A control circuit may be configured to receive the stimulation parameters and may include a dithering mode enabler configured to enable a dithering mode and a parameter dithering processor configured to operate when the dithering mode is enabled. The parameter dithering processor may be configured to identify a received stimulation parameter to be dithered and to dither a received value of the identified stimulation parameter by programming the stimulation output circuit to deliver pulses at a higher value of the identified stimulation parameter interleaved with pulses at a lower value of the identified parameter at a ratio determined for producing an average value approximating to the received value. The higher value and the lower value are values available with the hardware resolution.