Automated Spinal Cord Stimulation Programming via Electrode Sweeps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual programming of spinal cord stimulation systems with multiple electrodes is time-consuming and lacks accuracy due to the exponential increase in electrode and parameter combinations, making it inefficient for healthcare professionals to establish optimal stimulation protocols.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize automated and systematic sweeps through electrodes to determine perception thresholds and pain areas, using a programming device in communication with an electrical stimulation generator and patient feedback device to develop a protocol for providing therapeutic electrical stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual programming is used to establish stimulation protocols, then healthcare professionals can adjust stimulation parameters, but the time required increases substantially due to the exponential increase in electrode and parameter combinations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated sweeps through electrodes to determine perception thresholds and pain areas without requiring manual adjustment by healthcare professionals. The programming device automatically identifies optimal electrode configurations and stimulation parameters, allowing the system to program itself based on patient feedback rather than requiring external manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time patient feedback during the automated sweep process to determine perception thresholds and identify pain areas. This feedback mechanism allows the programming device to adjust stimulation parameters dynamically based on patient responses, achieving accurate programming results while maintaining efficiency.
2Area of stationary object
If the number of electrodes in medical leads is increased, then the coverage area and treatment capability are improved, but the number of electrode and parameter combinations increases exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The automated sweep process systematically evaluates each electrode and electrode combination to determine perception thresholds and effectiveness in covering pain areas. The programming device automatically identifies the optimal subset of electrodes to activate, reducing programming complexity despite the increased number of available electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and identifies only the necessary electrodes and parameters needed for effective treatment from the complete set of available electrodes. By determining perception thresholds and pain area coverage for each electrode, the system selects only the relevant combinations to include in the final stimulation protocol, eliminating unnecessary complexity.
3Measurement precision
If automated sweeps are performed to determine perception thresholds and pain areas, then programming accuracy is improved, but the system requires additional communication ports and patient feedback devices
Solution Approach 1:
The programming device incorporates multiple communication ports that can serve both data transmission and patient feedback collection functions. The system integrates the patient feedback device into the existing programming workflow, allowing the same hardware infrastructure to support both automated sweeping and real-time patient response monitoring without requiring entirely separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-assisted stimulation programming of an implantable medical device is performed. A perception threshold is determined for a plurality of contacts on a lead configured to be implanted inside a patient. The perception threshold is determined by automatically performing a first sweep of the plurality of contacts and automatically performing a second sweep of a stimulation parameter. A paresthesia coverage provided by the plurality of contacts is determined by automatically performing a third sweep of the plurality of contacts and automatically performing a fourth sweep of the stimulation parameter. The fourth sweep is performed based on the determined perception thresholds. The first sweep, the second sweep, the third sweep, and the fourth sweep are performed without needing a manual input from a human user. A subset of the contacts corresponding to the paresthesia coverage is selected. In response to user input, stimulation programming is performed using the subset of contacts.