Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation

Prakash Rao

Sridhar Kothandaraman

Anita Yip

Michael A Moffitt

Christopher Britton Gould

Dennis Zottola

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

A device for use with a stimulation system comprises a user interface for receiving input from a user, displaying graphical parameter objects respectively corresponding to stimulation parameter sets, and displaying graphical program objects corresponding to stimulation programs. The device further comprises a controller/processor for selecting a graphical parameter object, dragging the graphical parameter object, dropping the graphical parameter object into a graphical program object, and storing the stimulation parameter set corresponding to the graphical parameter object in association with the stimulation program corresponding to the graphical program object. The user interface may further display graphical program objects corresponding to stimulation programs, and a graphical schedule object. The controller/processor may select a graphical program object, drag the graphical program object, drop the graphical program object into a time period of the graphical schedule object, and store the time period in association with the stimulation program corresponding to the graphical program object.

Neurostimulation system and method for constructing stimulation programs

A method for programming a neurostimulator includes automatically performing a series of steps. One or more control elements may be actuated to select the series of steps from a plurality of series of steps stored in a memory of an external control device. One or more control elements may be actuated during the performance of the series of steps in order to cause one of the steps to pause, stop, restart, skip, or repeat. The series of steps may be a series of pre-programming steps, and the method may further include programming the neurostimulator after the series of pre-programming steps is performed. An external device for programming the neurostimulator includes control circuitry configured for automatically performing the series of steps, and a user interface including the one or more control elements configured for being actuated. The control device also includes the memory for storing the plurality of series of steps.

Method for automation of therapy-based programming in a tissue stimulator user interface

A system for a neurostimulator coupled to electrodes, and a method of providing therapy to a patient using the electrodes implanted within the patient. A target multipole relative to the electrodes is defined. The target multipole is emulated by defining an initial electrical current distribution for the electrodes, such that a first set of active electrodes respectively has electrical current values of a first polarity. Each of the electrical current values of the first polarity is compared to a first threshold value, and at least one of the electrodes in the first active electrode set is zeroed-out based on the comparison. The electrical current value of each of the zeroed-out electrode(s) is redistributed to remaining ones of the electrodes to define a new electrical current distribution for the electrodes. Electrical current is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the new electrical current distribution, thereby providing the therapy.

System and method for mapping arbitrary electric fields to pre-existing lead electrodes

An external control device, a neurostimulation system, and a method for providing therapy to a patient are provided. A plurality of stimulation parameter sets are defined, electrical stimulation energy is serially conveyed to tissue of the patient in accordance with the plurality of stimulation parameter sets, a historical log file is stored, and the plurality of stimulation parameter sets are logged in the historical log file.

Techniques for logging and using programming history in a neurostimulation system

A neurostimulation system comprises at least one neurostimulation lead configured for being implanted within tissue. The neurostimulation lead(s) carries a plurality of electrodes capable of being arranged in a two-dimensional pattern. The neurostimulation system further comprises a neurostimulator configured for delivering electrical stimulation energy to the electrodes to create a volume of activation, and an external control device including a current steering direction control element capable of being rotated about an axis. The external control device is configured for prompting the neurostimulator to deliver the electrical stimulation energy to the electrodes in a manner that gradually translates the volume of activation in a specific direction, and for defining the specific direction in which the volume of activation is translated in response to rotation of the direction control element about the axis.

Techniques for current steering directional programming in a neurostimulation system

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 configured for receiving direct input from a user specifying a target value for a target electrode. The user interface includes a display screen configured for displaying graphical representations of the electrodes. The user interface comprises a controller/processor configured for, in response to the direct user input, assigning a new stimulation amplitude value to the target electrode, and output circuitry configured for transmitting the new stimulation amplitude value to the neurostimulator.

Neurostimulation programmer and method for directly assigning parameter values to electrodes

An external control device for use with a neurostimulator coupled to electrodes. The external control device comprises a user interface configured for receiving input from a user, and including a display screen configured for displaying graphical representations of the electrodes. The external control device further comprises a controller/processor configured for, in response to the input from the user, linking a subset of the electrodes together, and globally assigning at least one of the same stimulation amplitude value and same on/off state to each of the electrodes. The controller/processor may also be configured for, in response to the input from the user, assigning at least one stimulation parameter value to one of the electrodes, copying/cutting the at least one stimulation parameter value from the one electrode, and pasting the at least one stimulation parameter value to the other electrode and modifying current values of other electrodes to maintain 100% current.

Growing community of inventors

Philadelphia, PA, United States of America

Prakash Rao