Sub-Perception Spinal Cord Stimulation Algorithms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems face challenges in providing effective pain relief without causing paresthesia, and they often require high-frequency or high-power stimulation that can drain battery life and be inconvenient for patients.
Innovation Solution
The development of low-frequency sub-perception algorithms for spinal cord stimulation, which utilize spread bipoles and biphasic pulses to target pain areas with lower amplitudes and longer pulse widths, reducing power consumption and avoiding paresthesia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-frequency or high-power stimulation is used to provide effective pain relief, then pain relief effectiveness is improved, but battery life is reduced and paresthesia occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional high-frequency stimulation to low-frequency stimulation (1-10 Hz), and adjusting pulse width parameters to longer durations (100-1000 microseconds). This parameter modification achieves the same pain relief effectiveness while significantly reducing power consumption and extending battery life, directly resolving the contradiction between pain relief effectiveness and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through low-frequency pulsed stimulation patterns, where stimulation is delivered in intermittent pulses rather than continuous high-frequency signals. This periodic low-frequency stimulation maintains pain relief effectiveness while reducing the overall energy burden on the battery, addressing the contradiction between therapeutic effectiveness and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If high-frequency or high-power stimulation is used to provide effective pain relief, then pain relief effectiveness is improved, but paresthesia is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the paresthesia contradiction by changing stimulation parameters to low-frequency (1-10 Hz) and longer pulse widths (100-1000 microseconds), which modifies the neural activation pattern to provide pain relief without triggering the paresthesia sensation. This parameter modification directly addresses the harmful effect while maintaining therapeutic benefit.
3Reliability
If conventional SCS parameters are used to provide pain relief, then pain relief is achieved, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dramatically reduces power consumption by changing the frequency parameter from conventional high frequencies to low frequencies (1-10 Hz), and adjusting pulse width to longer durations. This parameter change reduces the power required for stimulation while maintaining pain relief effectiveness, directly resolving the contradiction between pain relief and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic low-frequency pulsed stimulation that delivers therapeutic effect through intermittent activation patterns, reducing the average power consumption compared to continuous conventional stimulation. This periodic action maintains pain relief while significantly lowering the power burden on the implantable pulse generator.
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 significant pain relief with minimal paresthesia, using very low power, which extends the battery life of primary cell IPGs and reduces charging frequency for rechargeable IPGs.
Implementation Method 1
Implantable neurostimulator devices are devices that generate and deliver electrical stimuli to body nerves and tissues
Data Source
AI summary
Algorithms for determining optimal low-frequency and sub-perception spinal cord stimulation for a patient are disclosed. A spread bipole is preferably used both to position the stimulation to target a patient's pain, and to provide the resulting therapy. The stimulation is provided at very low frequencies, such as 10 Hz or less, and preferably 2 Hz. Further, sub-perception is provided by the use of lower amplitudes and at longer pulse widths than are conventional in typical SCS stimulation therapies. This results in determined stimulation therapies which draw very little power. Therapy is preferably provided by the use of symmetric biphasic pulses.