Electrical Stimulation Parameter Optimization via Preliminary Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrical stimulation systems for treating chronic pain and neural disorders often require trial-and-error approaches to find optimal stimulation parameters, such as amplitude and duty cycle, which can be time-consuming and may not consistently achieve desired therapeutic effects.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for electrical stimulation that involves systematically testing multiple stimulation amplitudes, duty cycles, and burst frequencies to identify a working set of parameters, with the option to randomly select their order and use default values if initial settings fail to meet thresholds, allowing for personalized and adaptive therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If trial-and-error approaches are used to find optimal stimulation parameters, then the system can accommodate individual patient variability, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient response variabilityVSAvoidparameter identification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary testing of multiple stimulation parameters (amplitudes, duty cycles, burst frequencies) in a systematic sequence before final implantation. This preliminary action identifies the optimal parameter set in advance, avoiding time-consuming trial-and-error adjustments after implantation while still accounting for individual patient variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple stimulation parameters are systematically tested, then optimal therapeutic effects can be achieved, but the complexity of the programming process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effect consistencyVSAvoidprogramming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The parameter testing process is segmented into distinct, manageable stages: testing amplitudes first, then duty cycles, then burst frequencies. Each stage builds upon the previous results, breaking down the complex multi-parameter optimization into sequential simpler tasks that reduce programming complexity while maintaining therapeutic reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The testing sequence is made dynamic and adaptive - the system adjusts which parameters to test next based on patient responses to previous parameters. This dynamic approach optimizes the programming process by focusing on the most relevant parameters for each patient while maintaining systematic rigor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If default stimulation parameters are used, then the setup process is simplified, but the therapeutic effectiveness may be insufficient for individual patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter setup easeVSAvoidtherapeutic effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Default parameters serve as preliminary settings that enable immediate operation and simplified setup. However, the system is designed to perform systematic parameter testing afterward to refine these defaults to optimal values for each individual patient, thus maintaining both ease of operation and therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach enables more efficient identification of effective stimulation parameters, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes and reduced variability in patient responses, potentially enhancing the long-term effectiveness of electrical stimulation therapies.

Implementation Method 1

The pulse generator generates electrical pulses that are delivered by the electrodes to body tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical stimulation: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

disrupt undesired neural activity through desynchronization of action potential propagation along patient tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesynchronization of action potential propagation:

Data Source

PatentUS10413737B2Systems and methods for providing therapy using electrical stimulation to disrupt neuronal activity

Publication Date: 2019.09.17 BOSTON SCI NEUROMODULATION CORP

AI summary

A method for electrical stimulation of a patient includes a) implanting at least a portion of an electrical stimulation lead; b) stimulating the patient using the electrical stimulation lead at multiple test stimulation amplitudes; c) observing a response for each of the test stimulation amplitudes; d) selecting a working stimulation amplitude based on the responses from a group consisting of the test stimulation amplitudes and, optionally, a default stimulation amplitude; e) stimulating the patient using the electrical stimulation lead and the working amplitude at multiple test duty cycles; f) observing a response for each of the test duty cycles; g) selecting a working duty cycle based on the responses from a group consisting of the test duty cycles and, optionally, a default duty cycle; and h) stimulating the patient using the electrical stimulation lead, the working amplitude, and the working duty cycle.