Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation

Christopher Britton Gould

Jordi Parramon

Goran Nils Marnfeldt

Sridhar Kothandaraman

Prakash Rao

Michael A Moffitt

Daniel Aghassian

Marco Henry Gin

Anne Margaret Pianca

Joel Adam Krueger

The disclosed techniques allow for externalizing errors from an implantable medical device using the device's charging coil, for receipt at an external charger or other external device. Transmission of errors in this manner is particularly useful when telemetry of error codes through a traditional telemetry coil in the implant is not possible, for example, because the error experienced is so fundamental as to preclude use of such traditional means. By externalizing the error via the charging coil, and though the use of robust error modulation circuitry in the implant designed to be generally insensitive to fundamental errors, the external charger can be consulted to understand the failure mode involved, and to take appropriate action.

Signaling error conditions in an implantable medical device system using simple charging coil telemetry

An external control device for use with a neurostimulator coupled to a plurality of electrodes capable of conveying electrical stimulation energy into tissue in which the electrodes are implanted. The external control device comprises a user interface including at least one control element, a processor configured for independently assigning stimulation amplitude values to a first set of the electrodes, for linking the first set of electrodes together in response to the actuation of the at least one control element, and for preventing the stimulation amplitude values of the first linked set of electrodes from being varied relative to each other, and output circuitry configured for transmitting the stimulation amplitude values to the neurostimulator.

Technique for linking electrodes together during programming of neurostimulation system

An implantable lead includes an expandable paddle body and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the paddle body. The electrodes are configured and arranged to provide electrical stimulation to adjacent tissue when implanted and the lead is coupled to a control module. The paddle body is configured for percutaneous implantation through an introducer followed by expansion of a volume of the paddle body by at least%. Alternatively, the paddle body is configured for percutaneous implantation and when implanted the lead is configured and arranged so that a position or orientation of the plurality of electrodes relative to the paddle body can be altered.

Stimulation system with percutaneously deliverable paddle lead and methods of making and using

An implantable pulse generator or external trial stimulator for coupling to a lead with a distal end and a proximal end, the lead comprising at least one terminal disposed at the proximal end. The implantable pulse generator comprises a connector for receiving the proximal end of the lead, the connector having at least one contact, and a sensor configured and arranged for detecting electrical connectivity between the implantable pulse generator or external trial stimulator and the lead, the sensor comprising at least one sensor contact, the sensor contact being configured and arranged for electrically coupling to a terminal of the lead and at least one of the contacts of the connector when the lead is fully inserted in the connector and thereby detecting electrical connectivity between the implantable pulse generator or external trial stimulator and the lead.

Method to detect proper lead connection in an implantable stimulation system

A connection monitoring system for an implantable medical lead system includes an implantable lead, a first trial system cable, an external trial system, and a sensor. The lead has a distal end and at least one proximal end. The lead includes a plurality of terminals disposed at each proximal end. The first trial system cable has a distal end and at least one proximal end. The distal end of the first trial system cable is configured and arranged to electrically couple with the lead. The external trial system is configured and arranged to electrically couple with the first trial system cable. The sensor is electrically coupled to the external trial system. The sensor is configured and arranged for detecting a loss of electrical connectivity between the external trial system and the lead when the lead becomes electrically decoupled from the external trial system.

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Valencia, CA, United States of America

Christopher Britton Gould