Paired Stimulation Pulses for Compound Action Potential Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrical stimulation therapies for conditions like chronic pain and Parkinson's disease face challenges in identifying optimal therapy parameter values, as they rely on patient feedback and can be influenced by lead migration and physiological changes, leading to variable efficacy over time.

Innovation Solution

An implantable medical device (IMD) delivers paired electrical stimulation pulses and senses the compound action potential (CAP) evoked, adjusting parameters based on the sensed CAP to optimize therapy delivery, ensuring effective pain relief and maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrical stimulation therapy parameters are adjusted based on patient feedback, then therapy can be customized to patient needs, but therapy efficacy becomes variable and less consistent over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy customizationVSAvoidtherapy efficacy consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses objective physiological feedback from sensed compound action potentials (CAPs) to automatically adjust stimulation parameters, replacing subjective patient feedback with measurable biological signals that provide consistent, quantifiable data for parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of therapy parameters by automatically sensing CAP magnitudes and computing optimal stimulation settings without requiring continuous patient input, enabling the device to self-optimize therapy delivery over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If fixed stimulation parameters are used, then device operation is simple, but therapy efficacy varies due to lead migration and physiological changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice operation simplicityVSAvoidtherapy efficacy stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from fixed, static stimulation parameters to dynamic, adaptive parameters that automatically adjust based on real-time sensing of compound action potential magnitudes, allowing the therapy to adapt to physiological changes and lead migration while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically modifies stimulation parameters (such as amplitude, pulse width, or frequency) based on detected changes in CAP magnitude, enabling continuous optimization of therapy delivery without requiring manual reprogramming or patient intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If manual parameter adjustment based on patient feedback is used, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision of therapy response is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter adjustment mechanismVSAvoidtherapy response measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual, subjective assessment of therapy response with automated, objective electrophysiological measurement of compound action potentials, substituting mechanical/sensory evaluation with precise electrical signal detection and analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach allows for precise adjustment of therapy parameters to maximize CAP magnitude and location, improving the consistency and effectiveness of electrical stimulation therapy by using sensed CAP data to adapt treatment settings.

Implementation Method 1

a combination of the first electrical stimulation pulse and the second electrical stimulation pulse evoke a compound action potential within the patient. The evoked CAP may be sensed via one or more electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompound action potential:

Data Source

PatentUS9950171B2Paired stimulation pulses based on sensed compound action potential

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

In some examples, a method may include delivering an electrical stimulation therapy to a patient, the electrical stimulation therapy comprising a first electrical stimulation pulse delivered to the patient via a first electrode and a second electrical stimulation pulse delivered to the patient via a second electrode, wherein the first electrical stimulation pulse and second electrical stimulation pulse are delivered as paired pulses with respect to each other and a combination of the first electrical stimulation pulse and the second electrical stimulation pulse evoke a compound action potential within the patient; sensing the compound action potential evoked by the combination of the first electrical stimulation pulse and the second electrical stimulation pulse; and adjusting one or more parameters of the electrical stimulation therapy based on the sensed compound action potential.