Shifting Electrode Combinations for Lead Migration Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical stimulation therapies face challenges in maintaining therapeutic efficacy due to lead migration and accommodation, where the position of electrodes relative to target sites changes, affecting the delivery of electrical stimulation energy.
Innovation Solution
An external programmer allows users to shift electrode combinations along the length of leads, enabling parameter-directed adjustments to maintain or improve therapeutic efficacy by changing the electrode combination used for electrical stimulation, similar to adjusting other parameters like amplitude or pulse width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrode combinations are fixed for electrical stimulation therapy, then the device structure is simple and easy to operate, but therapeutic efficacy deteriorates due to lead migration and accommodation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic electrode combination selection by allowing the system to shift between multiple electrode combinations (e.g., from first to second electrode combination) based on therapeutic needs. This is achieved through a controller that can selectively activate different electrode pairs, enabling the stimulation pattern to adapt over time without requiring physical lead repositioning, thus maintaining therapeutic efficacy while managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the electrical stimulation system by varying the electrode combination being used. The controller adjusts which electrodes are active (changing the electrical pathway parameters) to compensate for lead migration and accommodation effects. This parameter change approach allows the same physical lead configuration to deliver effective therapy under different conditions.
2Reliability
If electrode combinations are shifted to maintain therapeutic efficacy, then therapeutic efficacy is maintained or improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex parameter adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically manage electrode combination shifts. The controller can autonomously transition between electrode combinations based on pre-programmed parameters or feedback, reducing the need for manual intervention. This self-managing capability maintains therapeutic efficacy while simplifying operation for the patient or clinician.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple electrode combinations and their associated parameters before therapy begins. The system is prepared with a library of electrode combinations (first, second, etc.) that can be selectively activated. This preliminary setup allows for easy switching during therapy without requiring complex real-time adjustments, improving both ease of operation and therapeutic efficacy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrode combinations are used for stimulation, then adaptability to different conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional electrode arrays and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the electrical stimulation system to perform multiple functions through a single lead set. The same physical electrodes can be configured in multiple combinations (first electrode combination, second electrode combination, etc.), allowing the device to adapt to different therapeutic conditions without requiring separate dedicated electrode arrays for each function. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while controlling device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides techniques for parameter-directed shifting of electrical stimulation electrode combinations. An external programmer permits a user to shift electrode combinations, e.g., along the length of a lead or leads. The external programmer accepts shift input and causes an electrical stimulator to shift electrode combinations as indicated by the input. Different sets of electrodes may have different electrode counts. For example, an array of electrodes carried by one lead may have a greater number of electrodes than an array of electrodes carried on another lead. The disclosure provides techniques for shifting electrode combinations among leads with different electrode counts. For example, an external programmer may execute shifts in a series of shift operations, where the number of shift operations along the length of a lead having a greater electrode count is greater than the number of shift steps along the length of a lead having a lesser electrode count.