Stimulation Templates for Complex Electrode Array Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of selecting electrode combinations for implantable electrical stimulators is time-consuming and requires significant trial and error, especially with complex electrode array geometries, which increases the burden on physicians and can lead to inefficiencies in delivering effective neurostimulation therapy while minimizing side effects.
Innovation Solution
A user interface that allows clinicians to view electrodes from different perspectives and use control media to select and manipulate electrode combinations, enabling guided programming and automated selection of stimulation templates that fit a user-defined stimulation field, simplifying the determination of stimulation parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual electrode combination selection is used, then physician control and customization are improved, but programming time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores optimal electrode combinations and stimulation parameters in a library of templates before clinical use. During programming, physicians can directly select from these pre-computed templates rather than manually testing combinations, significantly reducing programming time while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated programming assistant that acts as an intermediary between the physician's intent and the complex electrode configuration process. This assistant automatically selects electrode combinations and parameters based on the desired stimulation field, mediating the interaction to reduce physician burden while preserving control.
2Reliability
If the number of electrode combinations is increased to improve therapy optimization, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but the complexity of parameter selection and programming increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex electrode array into modular components and organizes electrode combinations into categorized templates. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by breaking down the overall configuration into smaller, manageable units that can be selectively combined, making programming more tractable while maintaining access to multiple electrode combinations for optimized therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts stimulation parameters (amplitude, pulse width, frequency) based on the selected electrode combination and desired stimulation field. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain therapeutic efficacy across different electrode configurations without requiring physicians to manually optimize each parameter, thereby reducing programming complexity while preserving reliability.
3Reliability
If trial and error method is used for electrode selection, then optimal therapy can be identified, but the number of tests required and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations and simulations to predict optimal electrode combinations and stimulation parameters before clinical application. By pre-computing the effects of different electrode configurations and storing results as templates, the system eliminates the need for extensive trial and error testing during patient programming, thereby maintaining therapy optimization while dramatically improving programming efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow the system to learn from clinical outcomes and refine template selections. By analyzing patient responses and therapy effectiveness, the system provides feedback to improve future template recommendations, reducing the need for repeated trial and error while maintaining optimal therapy identification.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure is directed to programming implantable stimulators to deliver stimulation energy via one or more implantable leads having complex electrode array geometries. A user interface of a programmer allows a user to define stimulation therapy by interacting with one or more representations of the lead that delivers the therapy. The disclosure also contemplates selecting stimulation parameters to satisfy a user defined stimulation field by selecting one or more volumetric stimulation templates that best fit the stimulation field. The user interface may display the stimulation templates in relation to different perspectives of a lead and the stimulation field. Use of stimulation templates may simplify the determination of stimulation parameters in response to any of a variety of types of user definition of a stimulation field.