Implanted Pulse Generator Control Using Strength-Duration Curves

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Implanted neurological stimulation systems, particularly paresthesia-free spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems, face challenges in maintaining effective therapy delivery as the battery voltage decreases, leading to accelerated power depletion and inefficiencies in conventional charging or voltage boosting methods.

Innovation Solution

The technology adjusts signal amplitude and increases pulse width or duty cycle to maintain a target energy delivery rate, reducing power consumption and extending battery life without generating paresthesia, using patient-specific correlations between amplitude and pulse width to optimize therapy delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If signal amplitude is increased to maintain effective therapy delivery, then therapy effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts signal parameters (amplitude, pulse width, frequency) based on the battery voltage level. When voltage decreases, the system modifies the combination of parameters to maintain therapeutic effectiveness while reducing power consumption. Specifically, it uses patient-specific strength-duration correlations to determine optimal parameter combinations that preserve therapy efficacy at lower voltages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The signal delivery system transitions from static parameter settings to dynamic parameter adjustment based on real-time battery status. The system continuously monitors voltage and adapts signal characteristics accordingly, enabling flexible optimization of the balance between therapy effectiveness and power consumption throughout the battery lifecycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional voltage boosting hardware is added to maintain signal strength, then therapy delivery is maintained, but device complexity and inefficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal delivery effectivenessVSAvoidsignal conditioning hardware

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the need for complex voltage boosting hardware by extracting and utilizing the strength-duration correlation data already inherent in patient-specific response characteristics. Instead of adding hardware to compensate for voltage decline, the system leverages physiological relationships to adapt signal parameters software-based, eliminating unnecessary hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces mechanical/electrical voltage boosting mechanisms with a computational approach based on strength-duration correlations. Rather than using hardware circuits to boost voltage, the system uses algorithmic parameter adjustment grounded in physiological principles to maintain therapy effectiveness without additional signal conditioning hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Power

If charging frequency is increased to maintain battery voltage, then power availability is improved, but patient convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower availabilityVSAvoidpatient convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary characterization of patient-specific strength-duration correlations during initial setup or calibration phases. This pre-established knowledge base enables the system to proactively adjust parameters as voltage declines, eliminating the need for frequent reactive charging interventions and maintaining power availability without increasing charging frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260034360A1Implanted pulse generators with reduced power consumption via signal strength/duration characteristics, and associated systems and methods

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 NEVRO CORP

AI summary

Implanted pulse generators with reduced power consumption via signal strength-duration characteristics, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient in accordance with the disclosed technology includes receiving an input corresponding to an available voltage for an implanted medical device and identifying a signal delivery parameter value of an electrical signal based on a correlation between values of the signal delivery parameter and signal delivery amplitudes. The signal delivery parameter can include at least one of pulse width or duty cycle. The method can further include delivering an electrical therapy signal to the patient at the identified signal delivery parameter value using a voltage within a margin of the available voltage.