Stimulator Current Slider With Drop-Back Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable neurostimulator devices lack efficient and user-friendly mechanisms for adjusting stimulation parameters, particularly current magnitude, which are crucial for therapeutic efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI) on external devices, such as patient and clinician programmers, allows users to adjust current magnitude at electrodes through a slider mechanism, enabling precise control of stimulation parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional parameter adjustment interface is used in implantable neurostimulator devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the ease of operation and user-friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external programming device as an intermediary between the user and the implantable neurostimulator. This external device provides a graphical user interface with slider controls that communicate stimulation parameter adjustments wirelessly to the implantable device, allowing users to adjust current magnitude intuitively without increasing the complexity of the implanted device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or button-based parameter adjustment mechanisms with a graphical user interface slider control system. This substitution allows for smoother, more intuitive parameter adjustment through visual interaction rather than discrete mechanical inputs, improving ease of operation while maintaining device simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If current magnitude is adjusted at fixed intervals, then the device control remains simple, but the manufacturing precision and therapeutic efficacy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current magnitude adjustment through a slider control mechanism that allows continuous or fine-grained adjustment of stimulation parameters. This dynamic control enables precise tailoring of current magnitude to individual patient needs and response, significantly improving therapeutic efficacy compared to fixed interval adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous modification of the current magnitude parameter through the slider interface, allowing real-time adjustment of stimulation intensity. This parameter change capability facilitates precise optimization of therapeutic effects while adapting to varying patient responses, without requiring complex underlying control systems in the implantable device.
Data Source
AI summary
A Graphical User Interface (GUI) for an external device used to program an implantable stimulator device is disclosed. The GUI includes aspects useful in adjusting the current magnitude provided at one or more of the stimulator device's electrodes. In particular, the GUI includes an amplitude slider, which allows the user to slide an indicator to increase or decrease the current magnitude at different rates depending on the length of the slide. The GUI further allows the user to prescribe drop back functionality, which reduces the current magnitude by a prescribed amount when the indicator is released. In one example, drop back functionality can be engaged in accordance with a rate threshold, and thus drop back functionality will only occur when the rate of increase equals or is above the threshold when the control button is released.