US 12,752,116 B2Granted

Automated selection of electrodes and stimulation parameters in a deep brain stimulation system employing directional leads

AssigneeBoston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation

InventorsLisa Moore, Richard Mustakos, Leon Juarez Paz

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Abstract

A programming algorithm is disclosed to efficiently select stimulation parameters for a patient having a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) implant, which is especially useful in optimizing stimulation when the DBS implant includes a directional lead capable of providing simulation at a rotational angle θ. The algorithm preferably first simultaneously determines an optimal longitudinal position (Lopt) and amplitude (Iopt1) for stimulation along the lead. This occurs by the algorithm efficiently selecting various values for L and I at which stimulation can be tried on the patient and scored. Once Lopt is determined, and if rotational optimization is possible at this longitudinal position, the algorithm simultaneously determines an optimal rotational angle (θopt) and amplitude (Iopt2) for stimulation around the lead at the optimized longitudinal position Lopt. This also occurs by the algorithm efficiently selecting various values for θ and I at which stimulation can be tried on the patient and scored.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method for optimizing stimulation for a patient having an implantable stimulator device, wherein the stimulation device comprises a lead with a plurality of electrodes for providing stimulation in accordance with stimulation parameters, the method comprising:

providing stimulation during first testing at a plurality of different first combinations of longitudinal positions and amplitudes along the lead;
determining for the patient through the first testing an optimized longitudinal position along an axis of the lead and a first optimized amplitude for stimulation, wherein the optimized longitudinal position and the first optimized amplitude comprise first stimulation parameters, wherein the optimized longitudinal position is defined by a first of the electrodes;
determining whether the optimized longitudinal position is proximate to a set of directional electrodes on the lead by determining whether the first electrodes comprise one or more directional electrodes in a set, wherein the set of directional electrodes span around the axis of the lead at different rotational positions;
if it is determined that the optimized longitudinal position is not proximate to the set of directional electrodes on the lead because the first electrodes do not comprise one or more of the directional electrodes, providing stimulation to the patient using determining that the first stimulation parameters;
and
if it is determined that the optimized longitudinal position is proximate to the set of directional electrodes on the lead because the first electrodes do comprise one or more of the directional electrodes,
providing stimulation during second testing at a plurality of different second combinations of rotational positions and amplitudes at the optimized longitudinal position using at least the set of directional electrodes,
determining for the patient through the second testing an optimized rotational position and a second optimized amplitude for stimulation at the optimized longitudinal position, wherein the optimized longitudinal position, the optimized rotational position, and the second optimized amplitude comprise second stimulation parameters, and providing stimulation to the patient using the second stimulation parameters.

5 more elements

A system, comprising:

an implantable stimulator device implantable in a patient, wherein the stimulation device comprises a lead with a plurality of electrodes for providing stimulation in accordance with stimulation parameters;
and
an external device programmed with an algorithm and configured to communicate with the implantable stimulator device, wherein the algorithm is configured to
provide stimulation during first testing at a plurality of different first combinations of longitudinal positions and amplitudes along the lead;
determine for the patient through the first testing an optimized longitudinal position along an axis of the lead and a first optimized amplitude for stimulation, wherein the optimized longitudinal position and the first optimized amplitude comprise first stimulation parameters, wherein the optimized longitudinal position is defined by a first of the electrodes;
determine whether the optimized longitudinal position is proximate to a set of directional electrodes on the lead by determining whether the first electrodes comprise one or more directional electrodes in a set, wherein the set of directional electrodes span around the axis of the lead at different rotational positions;
if it is determined that the optimized longitudinal position is not proximate to the set of directional electrodes on the lead because the first electrodes do not comprise one or more of the directional electrodes, provide stimulation to the patient using the first stimulation parameters;
and
if it is determined that the optimized longitudinal position is proximate to the set of directional electrodes on the lead because the first electrodes do comprise one or more of the directional electrodes,
providing stimulation during second testing at a plurality of different second combinations of rotational positions and amplitudes at the optimized longitudinal position using at least the set of directional electrodes,
determine for the patient through the second testing an optimized rotational position and a second optimized amplitude for stimulation at the optimized longitudinal position, wherein the optimized longitudinal position, the optimized rotational position, and the second optimized amplitude comprise second stimulation parameters, and
provide stimulation to the patient using the second stimulation parameters.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.