The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 14, 2009
Filed:
Apr. 10, 2006
Steven M. Goetz, Brooklyn Center, MN (US);
Andrew H. Houchins, Lino Lakes, MN (US);
Jeffrey T. Keacher, St. Paul, MN (US);
Gary W. King, Fridley, MN (US);
Kenneth T. Heruth, Edina, MN (US);
Roy L. Testerman, New Hope, MN (US);
Michael T. Lee, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Nathan A. Torgerson, Andover, MN (US);
Joseph J. Nolan, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Steven M. Goetz, Brooklyn Center, MN (US);
Andrew H. Houchins, Lino Lakes, MN (US);
Jeffrey T. Keacher, St. Paul, MN (US);
Gary W. King, Fridley, MN (US);
Kenneth T. Heruth, Edina, MN (US);
Roy L. Testerman, New Hope, MN (US);
Michael T. Lee, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Nathan A. Torgerson, Andover, MN (US);
Joseph J. Nolan, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
The disclosure is directed to techniques for shifting between two electrode combinations. An amplitude of a first electrode combination is incrementally decreased while an amplitude of a second, or subsequent, electrode combination is concurrently incrementally increased. Alternatively, an amplitude of the first electrode combination is maintained at a target amplitude level while the amplitude of the second electrode combination is incrementally increased. The stimulation pulses of the electrode combinations are delivered to the patient interleaved in time. In this manner, the invention provides for a smooth, gradual shift from a first electrode combination to a second electrode combination, allowing the patient to maintain a continual perception of stimulation. The shifting techniques described herein may be used during programming to shift between different electrode combinations to find an efficacious electrode combination. Additionally, the techniques may be used for shifting between different electrode combinations associated with different stimulation programs or program sets.