Determining nerve location relative to electrodes
AssigneeMedtronic, Inc.
InventorsMartin T. Gerber, Steven M. Goetz, Christopher Poletto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An implantable nerve stimulator is implanted in a patient near a nerve target. The implantable nerve stimulator has a plurality of electrodes through which stimulation is provided to the nerve target. The relative location of the nerve target and the electrodes may be determined by applying stimulation to the nerves via each of the electrodes, determining an effect of the stimulation for each of the electrodes, and mapping a location of the nerve relative to the electrodes based on the effect of the stimulation for each of the electrodes.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- delivering, by a medical device and via electrodes of a plurality of implantable electrodes coupled to the medical device, electrical stimulation therapy to a nerve of a patient;
- determining, for each electrode of the plurality of implantable electrodes for which electrical stimulation therapy is delivered, a first stimulation intensity threshold for a parameter defining the electrical stimulation therapy, wherein the first stimulation intensity threshold is based on a distance of each electrode from the nerve;
- determining, for each electrode of the plurality of implantable electrodes for which electrical stimulation therapy is delivered, a second stimulation intensity threshold for the parameter defining the electrical stimulation therapy, wherein the second stimulation intensity threshold is based on the distance of each electrode from the nerve, and wherein the first stimulation intensity threshold is different than the second stimulation intensity threshold;
- determining, based on the first stimulation intensity threshold and the second stimulation intensity threshold for each electrode of the plurality of implantable electrodes for which electrical stimulation therapy is delivered, a value of the parameter for defining subsequent electrical stimulation therapy to the patient;
- and
- delivering, by the medical device, the electrical stimulation therapy according to the determined value of the parameter.
A medical system comprising:
- a plurality of implantable electrodes;
- an implantable electrical stimulator configured to deliver, via electrodes of the plurality of implantable electrodes coupled to the, electrical stimulation therapy to a nerve of a patient;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to:
- determine, for each electrode of the plurality of implantable electrodes for which electrical stimulation therapy is delivered, a first stimulation intensity threshold for a parameter defining the electrical stimulation therapy, wherein the first stimulation intensity threshold is based on a distance of the each electrode from the nerve;
- determine, for each electrode of the plurality of implantable electrodes for which electrical stimulation therapy is delivered, a second stimulation intensity threshold for the parameter defining the electrical stimulation therapy, wherein the second stimulation intensity threshold is based on the distance of each electrode from the nerve, and wherein the first stimulation intensity threshold is different than the second stimulation intensity threshold;
- determine, based on the first stimulation intensity threshold and the second stimulation intensity threshold for each electrode of the plurality of implantable electrodes for which electrical stimulation therapy is delivered, a value of the parameter for defining subsequent electrical stimulation therapy to the patient;
- and
- control the implantable electrical stimulator to deliver the electrical stimulation therapy according to the determined value of the parameter.
A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, are configured to cause processing circuitry to:
- control an implantable electrical stimulator to deliver, via electrodes of a plurality of implantable electrodes coupled to the implantable electrical stimulator, electrical stimulation therapy to a nerve of a patient;
- determine, for each electrode of the plurality of implantable electrodes for which electrical stimulation therapy is delivered, a first stimulation intensity threshold for a parameter defining the electrical stimulation therapy, wherein the first stimulation intensity threshold is based on a distance of each electrode from the nerve;
- determine, for each electrode of the plurality of implantable electrodes for which electrical stimulation therapy is delivered, a second stimulation intensity threshold for the parameter defining the electrical stimulation therapy, wherein the second stimulation intensity threshold is based on the distance of each electrode from the nerve, and wherein the first stimulation intensity threshold is different than the second stimulation intensity threshold;
- determine, based on the first stimulation intensity threshold and the second stimulation intensity threshold for each electrode of the plurality of implantable electrodes for which electrical stimulation therapy is delivered, a value of the parameter for defining subsequent electrical stimulation therapy to the patient;
- and
- control the implantable electrical stimulator to deliver the electrical stimulation therapy according to the determined value of the parameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.