# US 8,788,054 B2 · System and method for connecting devices to a neurostimulator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,788,054 B2 - Document ID: US8788054B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/971,784 - Filed: 2013-08-20 - Published: 2014-03-06 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2012-08-29 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Applicants: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Inventors: Sridhar Kothandaraman; Mun Pook Lui - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8788054B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/36185: {Selection of the electrode configuration} - A61N 1/37247: {User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract A method for defining connections between a plurality of lead bodies and a plurality of output ports of a neurostimulator, and an external control device for performing the method are disclosed. The external control device includes a user interface and control circuitry. The method includes displaying the lead bodies and the output ports of the neurostimulator; selecting a first one of the lead bodies; dragging a connector from the first lead body to a first one of the output ports of the neurostimulator; and dropping the connector onto the first output port of the neurostimulator, thereby defining a connection between the first lead body and the first output port of the neurostimulator. In another embodiment, a method includes defining the connection between the first lead body and the first output port, and graphically displaying the connection between the first lead body and the first output port of the neurostimulator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An external control device for selectively defining connections between a plurality of lead bodies, each coupled to at least one electrode, and a plurality of output ports of a neurostimulator, the external control device comprising: a user interface configured for receiving input from a user, and for displaying the lead bodies and the output ports of the neurostimulator; and control circuitry configured for, in response to input from the user, selecting a first one of the lead bodies, dragging a connector from the first lead body to a first one of the output ports of the neurostimulator, and dropping the connector onto the first output port of the neurostimulator, thereby defining a connection between the first lead body and the first output port of the neurostimulator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The external control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is further configured for, in response to input from the user, selecting a second one of the lead bodies, dragging a second connector from the second lead body to a second one of the output ports of the neurostimulator, and dropping the second connector onto the second output port of the neurostimulator, thereby defining a connection between the second lead body and the second output port of the neurostimulator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The external control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is further configured for verifying compatibility between the first lead body and the first output port of the neurostimulator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The external control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured for selecting the first lead body by coupling a pointing device to the first lead body, configured for dragging the connector by moving the pointing device, and configured for dropping the connector by decoupling the pointing device from the dragged connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The external control device of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises one or more of a mouse, a trackball, a touchpad, and a joystick for receiving the input from the user. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The external control device of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a digitizer screen for receiving the input from the user. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The external control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is further configured for, in response to additional input from the user, programming the neurostimulator with stimulation parameters corresponding to the at least one electrode to which the first lead body is coupled. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The external control device of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured for displaying the connection between the first lead body and the first output port of the neurostimulator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The external control device of claim 1, wherein the first lead body comprises one of a plurality of tails of a lead. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The external control device of claim 1, wherein the first lead body is a percutaneous lead. ### Claim 11 A method for selectively defining connections between a plurality of lead bodies, each coupled to at least one electrode, and a plurality of output ports of a neurostimulator, the method comprising: displaying the lead bodies and the output ports of the neurostimulator; selecting a first one of the lead bodies; dragging a connector from the first lead body to a first one of the output ports of the neurostimulator; and dropping the connector onto the first output port of the neurostimulator, thereby defining a connection between the first lead body and the first output port of the neurostimulator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising verifying compatibility between the first lead body and the first output port of the neurostimulator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: selecting a second one of the lead bodies; dragging a second connector from the second lead body to a second one of the output ports of the neurostimulator; and dropping the second connector onto the second output port of the neurostimulator, thereby defining a connection between the second lead body and the second output port of the neurostimulator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising programming the neurostimulator with stimulation parameters corresponding to the at least one electrode to which the first lead body is coupled. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first lead body comprises one of a plurality of tails of a lead. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the first lead body comprises a percutaneous lead.