Stimulation Intensity Mapping for Neural Therapy Programming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 that may require follow-up sessions.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes stimulation intensity values to generate paired pulse width and amplitude values, with each intensity value corresponding to a specific equal intensity function, allowing for efficient configuration of electrical stimulation therapy by activating a substantially equal volume of tissue, thereby simplifying the programming process and reducing the need for multiple sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual parameter configuration is used, then the clinician can customize therapy parameters, but the programming process becomes time-consuming and requires multiple trial-and-error sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores multiple paired pulse width and amplitude values that correspond to equal tissue activation volumes before the programming session. When the clinician selects a desired tissue volume, the system immediately retrieves the pre-computed parameter pairs, eliminating the need for time-consuming trial-and-error adjustments during the programming session.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the traditional approach of independently adjusting pulse width and amplitude into a unified parameter selection process. By defining equal intensity functions that relate pulse width and amplitude pairs to specific tissue volumes, the system allows clinicians to select therapy parameters based on a single primary parameter (desired tissue volume) rather than manually tuning multiple parameters.
2Reliability
If multiple parameter combinations are tested to achieve optimal therapy, then adequate treatment efficacy can be obtained, but the complexity of the programming process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system identifies and utilizes equal intensity functions where different pulse width and amplitude combinations produce the same tissue activation volume. By presenting these equivalent parameter sets to the clinician, the system simplifies the decision-making process while maintaining therapy efficacy, as any of the paired values will achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces equal intensity functions as an intermediary layer between the clinician's therapeutic goals and the device's parameter settings. Instead of directly manipulating pulse width and amplitude, the clinician specifies the desired tissue volume, and the system automatically determines the appropriate parameter pairs through the equal intensity function relationship.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise lead placement is assumed, then initial programming can be accurate, but lead placement inaccuracies require follow-up programming sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamically adjustable parameter pairs that can be selected based on the actual lead placement and patient response. Rather than relying on a single fixed parameter set assumed to be optimal for perfect lead placement, the system offers multiple paired values that can be tuned to account for placement variations, allowing clinicians to optimize therapy after the fact without requiring complete re-programming.
4Reliability
If higher stimulation amplitude is used to ensure adequate tissue activation, then therapy efficacy improves, but energy consumption increases and power source longevity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables clinicians to select from multiple pulse width and amplitude pairs that all achieve the same tissue activation volume. This allows optimization for energy efficiency by choosing parameter combinations with lower amplitude and longer pulse width, or lower energy consumption overall, while maintaining the same therapeutic effect through the equal intensity relationship defined by the selected tissue volume.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
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.