Neurostimulation system and method for automatically adjusting stimulation and reducing energy requirements using evoked action potential

A method performed using a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system configured to deliver SCS for a pain therapy;

• the method comprising:
• delivering at least two levels of neurostimulation, including a first level and a second level, to target tissue in or near a spine according to a programmed therapy schedule, wherein the first and the second levels of neurostimulation correspond to a first and a second templates, respectively, wherein the first and second templates are stored in memory, the first and the second of the at least two levels of neurostimulation correspond to first and second sets of stimulation parameter values, respectively;
• verifying, throughout a course of the pain therapy, whether the neurostimulation delivered using the stimulation parameter values for the first and second sets of stimulation parameters is effective for the pain therapy by monitoring whether the stimulation is causing evoked action potentials, wherein the verifying includes:
• determining waveform characteristic values of action potentials throughout the course of the therapy, including determining a first set of waveform characteristic values corresponding to times when the first level of neurostimulation is delivered and determining a second set of waveform characteristic values corresponding to times when the second level of neurostimulation is delivered;
• and
• comparing the first set and the second set of waveform characteristic values to waveform characteristic values in the first and second templates, respectively;
• and
• maintaining an efficacious therapeutic effect throughout the course of therapy, including:
• continuing to use the first set of stimulation parameter values to deliver the first level of neurostimulation when the first set of waveform characteristic values similarly correspond to the waveform characteristic values in the first template, and adjusting the first set of stimulation values when the first set of waveform characteristic values do not similarly correspond to the waveform characteristic values in the first template;
• and
• continuing to use the second set of stimulation parameter values to deliver the second level of neurostimulation when the second set of waveform characteristic values similarly correspond to the waveform characteristic values in the second template, and adjusting the second set of stimulation values when the second set of waveform characteristic values do not similarly correspond to the waveform characteristic values in the second template.