Abstract: A tissue stimulation system is provided that evaluates and/or scores stimulation sets based on both patient feedback and frequency of use. Stimulation sets and any associated scores and/or usage may be stored in a retrievable database. Upon subsequent stimulation sessions, a patient may select stimulation sets that have a high score and/or usage in order to effectively meet therapeutic objectives. Methods of determining patient satisfaction, which involve evaluating patient pain before and after stimulation pulses are applied, are also provided herein.

Abstract: A method and programmer for programming a neurostimulation device are provided.

Abstract: A method and neurostimulation system for providing therapy to a patient is provided. A plurality of electrodes is placed adjacent to tissue of the patient. The electrodes include first and second electrodes, with the first electrode having a first tissue contacting surface area and the second electrode having a second tissue contact surface area greater than the first tissue contacting surface area. Anodic electrical current is simultaneously sourced from one of the first and second electrodes to the tissue and while cathodic electrical current is sunk from the tissue to another of the first and second electrodes to provide the therapy to the patient.

Abstract: A method, computer medium, and system for programming a controller is provided. The controller controls electrical stimulation energy output to electrodes, and stores a set of programmed stimulation parameters associated with the electrodes. The programmed stimulation parameter set is compared with sets of reference stimulation parameters, each of the reference sets of stimulation parameters being associated with the electrodes. If an identical match is determined between the programmed stimulation parameter set and any one of the reference stimulation parameter sets exists based on the comparison, the identically matched stimulation parameter set is selected as an initial stimulation parameter set. If an identical match does not exist, a best between the programmed stimulation parameter set and the reference stimulation parameter sets is determined and selected as the initial stimulation parameter set.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly switching stimulation parameters of a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system increases the number of stimulation parameter sets that may be tested during a fitting procedure, or alternatively, reduces the time required for the fitting procedure. The switching method comprises selecting a new stimulation parameter set, and setting the initial stimulation levels to levels at or just below an estimated perception threshold of the patient. The estimated perception level is based on previous stimulation results. The stimulation level is then increased to determine a minimum stimulation level for effective stimulation, and/or an optimal stimulation level, and/or a maximum stimulation level, based on patient perception.

Abstract: Interelectrode impedance or electric field potential measurements are used to determine the relative orientation of one lead to other leads in the spinal column or other body/tissue location. Interelectrode impedance is determined by measuring impedance vectors. The value of the impedance vector is due primarily to the electrode-electrolyte interface, and the bulk impedance between the electrodes. The bulk impedance between the electrodes is, in turn, made up of (1) the impedance of the tissue adjacent to the electrodes, and (2) the impedance of the tissue between the electrodes. In one embodiment, the present invention makes both monopolar and bipolar impedance measurements, and then corrects the bipolar impedance measurements using the monopolar measurements to eliminate the effect of the impedance of the tissue adjacent the electrodes. The orientation and position of the leads may be inferred from the relative minima of the corrected bipolar impedance values.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly switching stimulation parameters of a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system increases the number of stimulation parameter sets that may be tested during a fitting procedure, or alternatively, reduces the time required for the fitting procedure. The switching method comprises selecting a new stimulation parameter set, and setting the initial stimulation levels to levels at or just below an estimated perception threshold of the patient. The estimated perception level is based on previous stimulation results. The stimulation level is then increased to determine a minimum stimulation level for effective stimulation, and/or an optimal stimulation level, and/or a maximum stimulation level, based on patient perception.

Abstract: A method and system of providing therapy to a patient implanted with an array of electrodes is provided. The electrodes are configured for respectively providing electrical stimulation to tissue of the patient. The method comprises measuring physiological parameter information indicative of the coupling efficiencies between the respective electrodes of the array and the tissue, computing numerical values from the measured physiological parameter information, generating a chart representative of the computed numerical values, and displaying the chart to a user.

Abstract: A method, electrical tissue stimulation system, and programmer for providing therapy to a patient are provided. Electrodes are placed adjacent tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) of the patient, electrical stimulation energy is delivered from the electrodes to the tissue in accordance with a defined waveform, and a pulse shape of the defined waveform is modified, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical stimulation energy delivered from the electrode(s) to the tissue. The pulse shape may be modified by selecting one of a plurality of different pulse shape types or by adjusting a time constant of the pulse shape.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stimulating tissue employing local current imbalance to facilitate more effective stimulation regimens.

Abstract: Electrical energy is conveyed via an implanted tissue stimulation system into tissue of the patient over a period of time. Electrical parameter data (e.g., impedance data and/or field potential data) is measured based on the electrical energy conveyed into the tissue of the patient, whereby the electrical parameter data is modulated in response to the physical activity of the patient to generate a time-varying signal (e.g., an oscillating signal). The time-varying signal is analyzed, and the physical activity of the patient (e.g., the physical activity level of the patient or the physical events performed by the patient) is tracking during the time period based on the analyzed time-varying signal.

Abstract: A method for determining whether the relative position of electrodes used by a neurostimulation system has changed within a patient comprises determining the amplitude of a field potential at each of at least one of the electrodes, determining if a change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes has occurred, and analyzing the change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes to determine whether a change in the relative position of the electrodes has occurred. Another method comprises measuring a first monopolar impedance between a first electrode and a reference electrode, measuring a second monopolar impedance between second electrode and the reference electrode, measuring a bipolar impedance between the first and second electrodes, and estimating an amplitude of a field potential at the second electrode based on the first and second monopolar impedances and the bipolar impedance.

Abstract: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted electrode for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generating device, and a programmer capable of communicating with the pulse generating device. In tissue stimulation systems, a clinically-adaptive stimulation programmer may be utilized, wherein a user communicates to the programmer a purpose of a programming session and a person who is to control the programming session. The clinically-adaptive stimulation programmer may be capable of determining a series of steps required to implement the programming session based on the selected purpose and the selected person. The clinically-adaptive programmer may implement the determined series of steps and communicate with the selected person during the programming session. Also provided are programming methods employing the clinically-adaptive programmer.

Abstract: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted electrode for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generating device, and a programmer capable of communicating with the pulse generating device. Stimulation pulses may be defined by several parameters, such as pulse width and amplitude. In methods of stimulating the tissue with the stimulation system, a user may adjust one of the parameters such as pulse width. The programmer may automatically adjust the pulse amplitude in response to the change in pulse width in order to maintain a substantially constant effect of the stimulation pulses.

Abstract: At least one system and at least one method permit a clinician to view or hear power consumption data during a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system fitting procedure. For example, a clinician's programming computer includes a display of power consumption for each effective stimulation configuration under evaluation during fitting. A clinician performing the fitting procedure uses a programming computer to select various stimulation configurations. The power consumption of the SCS configuration(s) presently and/or previously exercised is displayed for the clinician. By comparing the power consumption for each configuration, the clinician may select a configuration consuming less power while providing effective therapy. Suggestions for low power configurations may be provided by the programming computer.

Abstract: A method for sensing cardiac activity in an atrium of a patient's heart includes delivering a pulse to the atrium using an electrode configuration that includes at least a cathode electrode; sensing cardiac activity in the atrium using a unipolar electrode configuration to provide a sensed signal wherein the unipolar electrode configuration does not include the cathode electrode; determining the duration during which the voltage of the sensed signal falls below a threshold voltage; and comparing the determined duration to a parameter to determine whether the pulse caused an atrial evoked response.

Abstract: A pulse is delivered to the atrium using an electrode configuration that includes at least a pulse cathode electrode. Cardiac activity in the atrium is sensed using a unipolar electrode configuration to provide a sensed signal wherein the unipolar electrode configuration does not include the pulse cathode electrode. A determination as to whether the pulse caused an atrial evoked response is made based on a maximum derivative value of the sensed signal with respect to time, a comparison of the sensed signal to a parameter or an integral of the sensed signal with respect to time.

Abstract: A method of stimulating tissue of a patient is provided. The method comprises placing an array of electrodes in proximity to the tissue, conveying electrical current between the electrodes of the array to stimulate a tissue site, incrementally shifting the electrical current from at least one cathode to at least another cathode over a first range of fractionalized current values, and incrementally shifting the electrical current from at least one anode to at least another anode over a second range of fractionalized current values. The step sizes for the first and second ranges of fractionalized current values differ.

Abstract: Methods of using unidirectionally propagating action potentials (UPAPs) for vagus nerve stimulation and for certain disorders are provided. Stimulators capable of creating such UPAPs include, but are not limited to, miniature implantable stimulators (i.e., microstimulators), possibly with programmably configurable electrodes.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly switching stimulation parameters of a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system increases the number of stimulation parameter sets that may be tested during a fitting procedure, or alternatively, reduces the time required for the fitting procedure. The switching method comprises selecting a new stimulation parameter set, and setting the initial stimulation levels to levels at or just below an estimated perception threshold of the patient. The estimated perception level is based on previous stimulation results. The stimulation level is then increased to determine a minimum stimulation level for effective stimulation, and/or an optimal stimulation level, and/or a maximum stimulation level, based on patient perception.