Pudendal and sacral nerve stimulation sweep algorithm and method

A medical apparatus for treating a patient, comprising:

• a computer memory module configured to store instructions and at least a first stimulation program;
• and
• a computer processing module configured to execute the instructions to perform the following tasks:
• generating, in response to input from a patient who is being treated by a sacral nerve stimulation therapy, an electronic diary that includes a plurality of voiding responses of the patient over a period of time, wherein the sacral nerve stimulation therapy includes electrical pulses delivered to the patient according to the first stimulation program and via a first subset of electrode contacts on a lead that is implanted in the patient, the lead having a plurality of electrode contacts that include the first subset;
• detecting, based on the voiding responses in the electronic diary, a loss of efficacy of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy;
• and
• automatically adjusting the sacral nerve stimulation therapy in response to the detected loss of efficacy, wherein the automatically adjusting further comprises:
• ramping up a stimulation parameter for one of the electrode contacts other than the first subset of the electrode contacts;
• determining, as the stimulation parameter is being ramped up, whether the patient experiences a bellows response before a toes response;
• and
• selecting, in response to the patient experiencing the bellows response before the toes response, said electrode contact as a member of a second subset of the electrode contacts that improve the efficacy of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy.

A method of automatically adjusting a stimulation therapy to improve efficacy of the stimulation therapy, the method comprising:

• generating, in response to input from a patient who is being treated by a sacral nerve stimulation therapy, an electronic diary that includes a plurality of voiding responses of the patient over a period of time, wherein the sacral nerve stimulation therapy includes electrical pulses delivered to the patient according to a first stimulation program and via a first subset of electrode contacts on a lead that is implanted in the patient, the lead having a plurality of electrode contacts that include the first subset;
• detecting, based on the voiding responses in the electronic diary, a loss of efficacy of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy;
• and
• automatically adjusting the sacral nerve stimulation therapy in response to the detected loss of efficacy, wherein the automatically adjusting further comprises:
• ramping up a stimulation parameter for one of the electrode contacts other than the first subset of the electrode contacts;
• determining, as the stimulation parameter is being ramped up, whether the patient experiences a bellows response before a toes response;
• and
• selecting, in response to the patient experiencing the bellows response before the toes response, said electrode contact as a member of a second subset of the electrode contacts that improve the efficacy of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy.