Spinal Cord Stimulation Proximity Parameter Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal cord stimulation systems face usability limitations due to cumbersome hand-held remote controls, which can be inconvenient and difficult for patients to use, especially in situations like driving or waking up, leading to suboptimal therapy.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an implantable pulse generator with flexible carriers and external activators, such as RFID tags, allowing for location-dependent selection of stimulation parameters via proximity detection using devices like smartphones, reducing the need for manual button pressing and enabling easy adjustment of spinal cord stimulation based on activities or locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand-held remote controls are used to adjust stimulation parameters, then therapy adjustment capability is provided, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome manual control requiring button pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces external activators (such as RFID tags or NFC tags) as intermediary objects placed at different locations or associated with different activities. These activators automatically trigger pre-programmed stimulation parameter sets when detected by the implantable pulse generator, eliminating the need for manual button pressing while maintaining therapy adjustment capability. The activator acts as a mediator between the patient's environment and the stimulation device.
2Extent of automation
If automatic parameter selection based on location is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to proximity detection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the implantable pulse generator automatically detects external activators using built-in proximity detection capabilities (RFID/NFC readers) and autonomously selects and applies the appropriate stimulation parameter set without requiring patient intervention. The device serves itself by automatically matching therapy parameters to the detected location or activity context.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stimulation parameter sets are stored for different locations, then adaptability improves, but memory requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-programming multiple stimulation parameter sets into the implantable pulse generator before implantation, each associated with a specific external activator identifier. The system prepares all possible therapy configurations in advance, and during operation, it only needs to retrieve and activate the appropriate pre-configured set based on detected activator, avoiding the need for real-time parameter calculation or complex decision algorithms.
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
Enhances the usability of spinal cord stimulation by allowing patients to easily switch between different stimulation settings based on location or activity without the need for manual operation, improving therapy delivery and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the detecting unit is configured to detect an electromagnetic signal from the respective external activator identifying a set of stimulation parameters associated with the respective external activator
Data Source
AI summary
A system for spinal cord stimulation, includes a stimulation device having a plurality of electrodes. The stimulation device is configured to deliver spinal cord stimulation via the electrodes according to a set of stimulation parameters. The stimulation device is further configured to store a plurality of different sets of stimulation parameters. The stimulation device is further configured to select one of the stored sets and to deliver spinal cord stimulation according to this selected set, when the stimulation device or a component of the system is located in proximity to an external activator associated with the selected set.