Abstract: An electrical stimulation system for use with a plurality of electrodes implanted within a tissue region comprises a neurostimulator configured for delivering electrical stimulation energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with a set of stimulation parameters, thereby injecting a charge into the tissue region, a control device configured for receiving user input to modify the set of stimulation parameters, and controller/processor circuitry configured for, in response to the user input computing a charge injection metric value as a function of a physical electrode parameter and an electrical source parameter for a first set of the electrodes, wherein the electrode set comprises at least two electrodes, comparing the computed charge injection metric value to a safety threshold value, and performing a corrective action based on the comparison.

Abstract: Medical device systems, methods, and algorithms are disclosed for providing complex stimulation waveforms. The waveforms may selectively modulate or activate specific neural targets or selected ratios of specific neural targets. Some of the waveforms include pre-pulse phases defined by parameters, the value of which changes during the pre-pulse phase. Also disclosed herein are graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that allow the selection of waveforms configured to selectively modulate or activate specific neural targets or selected ratios of the neural targets. Adjustable parameters of the waveforms are adjusted automatically based on selection of user-defined parameters.

Abstract: An example of a system for programming a neurostimulator may include a storage device and a pattern generator. The storage device may store a pattern library and one or more neuronal network models. The pattern library may include fields and waveforms of neuromodulation. The one or more neuronal network models may each be configured to allow for evaluating effects of one or more fields in combination with one or more waveforms in treating one or more indications for neuromodulation. The pattern generator may be configured to construct and approximately optimize a spatio-temporal pattern of neurostimulation and/or its building blocks for a specified range of varying conditions using at least one neuronal network model.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation system for use with a plurality of electrodes implanted within a tissue region comprises a neurostimulator configured for delivering electrical stimulation energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with a set of stimulation parameters, thereby injecting a charge into the tissue region, a control device configured for receiving user input to modify the set of stimulation parameters, and controller/processor circuitry configured for, in response to the user input computing a charge injection metric value as a function of a physical electrode parameter and an electrical source parameter for a first set of the electrodes, wherein the electrode set comprises at least two electrodes, comparing the computed charge injection metric value to a safety threshold value, and performing a corrective action based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system for programming electrical stimulation by a lead includes a processor coupled to a display. The processor presents an interface on the display with user-selectable controls to define stimulation fields and repeating stimulation patterns for delivering the stimulation fields temporally-coordinated with each other. The user-selectable controls include a field control to define the number of stimulation fields, a location control to define locations of the stimulation fields relative to the lead, a repetition control to define a repetition frequency of the stimulation patterns, and a temporal-adjustment control to define temporal adjustments of the stimulation fields.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing a therapeutic pseudo-constant DC current in an implantable stimulator using pulses whose positive and negative phases are not charge balanced. Such charge imbalanced pulses act to charge any capacitance in the current path between selected electrode nodes, such as the DC-blocking capacitors and/or any inherent capacitance such as those present at the electrode/tissue interface. These charged capacitances act during quiet periods between the pulses to induce a pseudo-constant DC current. Beneficially, these DC currents can be small enough to stay within charge density limits and hence not corrode the electrode or cause tissue damage, and further can be controlled to stay within such limits or for other reasons. Graphical user interface (GUI) aspects for generating the charge imbalanced pulses and for determining and/or controlling the pseudo-constant DC current are also provided.

Abstract: An example of a system for programming neurostimulation according to a stimulation configuration may include stimulation configuration circuitry, volume definition circuitry, stimulation effect circuitry, and recording circuitry. The stimulation configuration circuitry may be configured to determine the stimulation configuration. The volume definition circuitry may be configured to determine stimulation field model(s) (SFM(s)) each representing a volume of tissue activated by the neurostimulation. The stimulation effect circuitry may be configured to determine a stimulation effect type for each tagging point specified for the SFM(s) and to tag the SFM(s) at each tagging point with the stimulation effect type determined for that tagging point. The stimulation effect type for each tagging point is a type of stimulation resulting from the neurostimulation as measured at that tagging point.

Abstract: A method for determining a set of stimulation parameters for an electrical stimulation lead or steering electrical stimulation includes receiving a target geometrical parameter describing a stimulation field; receiving a first programming state; determining a first stimulation parameter for the first programming state that achieves the target geometrical parameter within at least 10% of the target geometrical parameter; and outputting set of stimulation parameters to be received by an electrical stimulation device for delivery of electrical stimulation to a patient via an electrical stimulation lead, wherein the set of stimulation parameters comprises the first stimulation parameter and represents the first programming state. In other embodiments, the target geometrical parameter is determined from either i) a first set of stimulation parameters or ii) a starting programming state and starting first stimulation parameter.

Abstract: A method for generating a stimulation program for electrical stimulation of a patient includes providing, by a processor on a display, a first grid of first pixels and a representation of a portion of an electrical stimulation lead with electrodes; obtaining, by the processor, a user selection of a first set of the first pixels in the first grid for stimulation; generating, by the processor, a stimulation program based, at least in part, on the user-selected first set of first pixels for stimulation using at least one of the electrodes of the electrical stimulation lead; and initiating, by the processor, a signal that provides an implantable pulse generator with the stimulation program. In other methods, instead of a grid of pixels, user-selectable primitives or selectable-objects are used to determine a desired stimulation region and generate the stimulation program.

Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length; terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the lead body; electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body; and conductors extending along the lead body and electrically coupling the terminals to the electrodes. The lead body includes an intermediate portion disposed between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The intermediate portion includes at least one separation element that extends longitudinally along the intermediate portion and the intermediate portion is deployable from an undeployed configuration to a deployed configuration responsive to operation of the at least one separation element.

Abstract: An implantable electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body; terminals disposed along the proximal portion of the lead body; electrodes disposed along the distal portion of the lead body, the electrodes including at least one segmented electrode; and an asymmetric marker disposed along the distal portion of the lead body and including a first ring and a longitudinal band extending longitudinally from the first ring. The asymmetric marker and lead body are formed of different materials that are distinguishable from each other in the radiological images to facilitate radiological determination of the rotational orientation of the lead when implanted. The marker may also include one or more of a longitudinal extension, a second ring, and non-straight longitudinal edges. The marker may also include the longitudinal band and longitudinal extension without a ring.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a parameter set and programming a neuromodulation system with the parameter set are disclosed. The system includes a user interface having a display screen to display simplified graphical representations (SGRs) of the lead with at least one virtual electrode (VE) that represents one or more electrodes, and control elements. The SGRs of the lead can provide longitudinal and circumferential representations of the VE, respectively representing longitudinal or circumferential position, size, shape, or spread of the VE. The control elements may include longitudinal and circumferential control elements to enable the user to respectively adjust the longitudinal or circumferential position, size, shape, or spread of the VE. The system may generate the neuromodulation parameter set using the longitudinal and circumferential representations of the VE, and program the neuromodulation system with the neuromodulation parameter set.

Abstract: A system or method for identifying sets of stimulation parameters can include receiving at least one image of a region of a patient; registering the at least one image with an anatomical or physiological atlas that identifies different anatomical or physiological structures; identifying a desired stimulation region using the at least one image; comparing the desired stimulation region with each of a plurality of predetermined estimated stimulation regions, where each of the estimated stimulation regions is a calculated estimate of a stimulation volume for a corresponding set of electrical stimulation parameters; selecting one of the predetermined estimated stimulation regions based on the comparing; and providing the corresponding set of electrical stimulation parameters for the selected one of the predetermined estimated stimulation regions to a user or an electrical stimulation device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting stimulation parameters using targeting and steering techniques are presented. For example, a method or system (via actions performed by a processor) can include receiving a name of an anatomical or physiological target or a name of a disease or disorder; receiving a clinical goal; and using at least 1) the anatomical or physiological target or disease or disorder and 2) the clinical goal, selecting a set of stimulation parameters. Another method or system (via actions performed by its processor) can include receiving a first set of stimulation parameters; receiving a command to alter the first set of stimulation parameters that does not include, or is not composed exclusively of, a numerical value for any of the stimulation parameters; and modifying the first set of stimulation parameters to create a second set of stimulation parameters based on the command.

Abstract: Medical device systems, methods, and algorithms are disclosed for providing complex stimulation waveforms. The waveforms may selectively modulate or activate specific neural targets or selected ratios of specific neural targets. Some of the waveforms include pre-pulse phases defined by parameters, the value of which changes during the pre-pulse phase. Also disclosed herein are graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that allow the selection of waveforms configured to selectively modulate or activate specific neural targets or selected ratios of the neural targets. Adjustable parameters of the waveforms are adjusted automatically based on selection of user-defined parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a parameter set and programming a neuromodulation system with the parameter set are disclosed. The system includes a user interface having a display screen to display simplified graphical representations (SGRs) of the lead with at least one virtual electrode (VE) that represents one or more electrodes, and control elements. The SGRs of the lead can provide longitudinal and circumferential representations of the VE, respectively representing longitudinal or circumferential position, size, shape, or spread of the VE. The control elements may include longitudinal and circumferential control elements to enable the user to respectively adjust the longitudinal or circumferential position, size, shape, or spread of the VE. The system may generate the neuromodulation parameter set using the longitudinal and circumferential representations of the VE, and program the neuromodulation system with the neuromodulation parameter set.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting stimulation parameters using targeting and steering techniques are presented. For example, a method or system (via actions performed by a processor) can include receiving a name of an anatomical or physiological target or a name of a disease or disorder; receiving a clinical goal; and using at least 1) the anatomical or physiological target or disease or disorder and 2) the clinical goal, selecting a set of stimulation parameters. Another method or system (via actions performed by its processor) can include receiving a first set of stimulation parameters; receiving a command to alter the first set of stimulation parameters that does not include, or is not composed exclusively of, a numerical value for any of the stimulation parameters; and modifying the first set of stimulation parameters to create a second set of stimulation parameters based on the command.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for developing new therapy options for patient suffering from neurological disorders. An example may include the use of a therapy patterning system that allows significant freedom to program therapy patterns using arbitrary shapes and functions. For such patterning to be implemented, a physician may identify a condition needing new and/or alternative therapy options, link the identified condition one or more therapy parameters, program, test and assess the therapy. The process may include multiple iterations to address an initial condition and then to mitigate side effects of the initial therapy. Some embodiments comprises devices configured to deliver combinations of therapy patterns to accomplish at least first and second therapeutic purposes.

Abstract: Method and systems for determining a set of stimulation parameters for an implantable stimulation device include receiving a set of stimulation parameters including at least one electrode for delivery of stimulation and a stimulation amplitude for each electrode; determining, using the set of stimulation parameters, an axial stimulation field for neural elements oriented axially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the lead; and outputting the first axial stimulation field for viewing by a user; receiving, by the computer processor. The methods and systems can be used to model other neural elements oriented non-orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lead and determine a non-orthogonal stimulation field.

Abstract: An example of a system for delivering neurostimulation may include a display and an interface control circuit. The interface control circuit may be configured to define a stimulation waveform according to which the neurostimulation is delivered. The stimulation waveform is defined by waveform parameters including one or more user-adjustable parameters. The interface control circuit may include a parameter selector, an effect analyzer, and a parameter generator. The parameter selector may be configured to present values for each user-adjustable parameter on the display and allow the user to select a value for each user-adjustable parameter from the presented values. The effect analyzer may be configured to estimate an interactive effect of different stimuli of the neurostimulation. The parameter generator may be configured to select a rate rule based on the estimated interactive effect and to generate the values for each user-adjustable parameter according to the selected rate rule.