Method and apparatus for dithering neurostimulation parameters

A method for delivering neurostimulation from a stimulation output circuit according a pattern of neurostimulation pulses, the method comprising:

• receiving stimulation parameters defining the pattern of neurostimulation pulses;
• determining whether to enable a dithering mode using one or more criteria;
• enabling the dithering mode when the one or more criteria are met;
• processing the received stimulation parameters using a processor, the processing when the dithering mode is enabled including:
• identifying a stimulation parameter from the received stimulation parameters to be dithered, the identified stimulation parameter having a received value that is not available with a hardware resolution set by the stimulation output circuit for each parameter of the received stimulation parameters;
• and
• dithering the received value by programming the stimulation output circuit to deliver neurostimulation pulses at a higher value of the identified stimulation parameter interleaved with neurostimulation pulses at a lower value of the identified parameter at a ratio determined for producing an average value approximating to the received value, the higher value and the lower value being values of the identified stimulation parameter that are available with the hardware resolution;
• and
• controlling operation of the stimulation output circuit using the processed stimulation parameters.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, which when executed by a system, cause the system to perform a method for delivering neurostimulation from a stimulation output circuit according a pattern of neurostimulation pulses, the method comprising:

• receiving stimulation parameters defining the pattern of neurostimulation pulses;
• determining whether to enable a dithering mode using one or more criteria;
• enabling the dithering mode when the one or more criteria are met;
• processing the received stimulation parameters using a processor, the processing when the dithering mode is enabled including:
• identifying a stimulation parameter from the received stimulation parameters to be dithered, the identified stimulation parameter having a received value that is not available with a hardware resolution set by the stimulation output circuit for each parameter of the received stimulation parameters;
• and
• dithering the received value by programming the stimulation output circuit to deliver neurostimulation pulses at a higher value of the identified stimulation parameter interleaved with neurostimulation pulses at a lower value of the identified parameter at a ratio determined for producing an average value approximating to the received value, the higher value and the lower value being values of the identified stimulation parameter that are available with the hardware resolution;
• and
• controlling operation of the stimulation output circuit using the processed stimulation parameters.