Stimulation Intensity Function for Neural Therapy Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of configuring electrical stimulation therapy parameters for medical devices is time-consuming and requires trial-and-error, often necessitating multiple programming sessions due to variations in patient physiology and lead placement inaccuracies, leading to inadequate initial programming and potential side effects.
Innovation Solution
The use of stimulation intensity values to generate paired pulse width and amplitude values through an equal intensity function, allowing for the delivery of electrical stimulation pulses that activate a substantially equal volume of tissue, thereby simplifying the programming process and reducing side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple parameter combinations are tested manually to configure stimulation therapy, then adequate therapy results can be achieved, but the programming process becomes time-consuming and requires multiple sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines pulse width and amplitude values based on the selected intensity value without requiring manual testing of multiple parameter combinations. The equal intensity function automatically selects parameters that activate a substantially equal volume of tissue, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual programming trials while maintaining adequate therapy results.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter selection approach from manually testing discrete pulse width and amplitude combinations to using a continuous equal intensity function that automatically provides coordinated parameter pairs. This transformation allows the system to maintain constant tissue activation volume while automatically adjusting parameters, significantly reducing programming time and multiple follow-up sessions.
2Reliability
If multiple parameter combinations are tested to optimize therapy, then adequate treatment results can be achieved, but the complexity of the programming process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex task of coordinating pulse width and amplitude selections from the clinician's programming process. By implementing an equal intensity function that automatically determines parameter pairs maintaining constant tissue activation volume, the system removes the burden of managing multiple interdependent parameters, significantly simplifying the programming interface and process while maintaining adequate therapy results.
3Reliability
If trial-and-error testing of parameter combinations is performed, then adequate therapy configuration can be achieved, but the risk of side effects increases due to inadequate initial programming
Solution Approach 1:
The equal intensity function is pre-configured with the mathematical relationship between pulse width and amplitude that maintains constant tissue activation volume. When a clinician selects an intensity value, the system immediately provides the corresponding parameter pair that has been predetermined to achieve adequate therapy configuration, eliminating the need for trial-and-error testing that could expose patients to harmful side effects during programming sessions.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for configuring electrical stimulation therapy utilizing one or more stimulation intensity values are described. In one example, a method includes receiving a stimulation intensity value that corresponds to an equal intensity function; determining a pulse width value and a pulse amplitude value based on the equal intensity function; and controlling delivery of electrical stimulation pulses with the determined pulse width value and amplitude value to a patient. A stimulation intensity value may correspond to a plurality of paired pulse width and amplitude values having substantially the same intensity. For example, the plurality of paired pulse width and amplitude values may activate a substantially equal volume of tissue when a stimulation pulse with the paired values is delivered.