Abstract: Feedback regarding electrical stimulation is provided to a patient. Electrical stimulation is applied to the patient. The electrical stimulation is applied by varying an electrical stimulation parameter. A signal is communicated to the patient via an electronic device. The signal is correlated with the electrical stimulation parameter such that the signal varies in association with the varying of the electrical stimulation parameter. The communicating is performed while the electrical stimulation is applied. Feedback is received from the patient in response to the electrical stimulation. Based on the received feedback from the patient, the electrical stimulation is adjusted.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of simulating a pulse generator on a portable electronic device. A graphical user interface is provided via a touch-sensitive screen of the portable electronic device. The graphical user interface is configured to facilitate interactive user engagements with the portable electronic device. A pulse generator simulator is launched on the portable electronic device in response to a request from the user. The pulse generator simulator provides a virtual pulse generator that duplicates a plurality of functionalities and features of an actual pulse generator. The virtual pulse generator is programmed based on user input received via the graphical user interface. One or more statuses of the virtual pulse generator are then displayed via the graphical user interface.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of measuring a physiological feedback from a patient in response to electrical stimulation. A stimulation parameter of a sacral nerve stimulation therapy is ramped up. The sacral nerve stimulation therapy includes electrical pulses generated by a pulse generator based on programming instructions received from an electronic programmer. The electrical pulses are delivered to a patient via a stimulation lead that is implanted in the patient. Via an anal electrode device that is at least partially inserted inside an anal canal of the patient, a compound motor action potential (CMAP) is measured from an anal sphincter of the patient while the stimulation parameter of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy is being ramped up. A stimulation threshold is determined based on the measured CMAP.

Abstract: A medical system includes an implantable lead having a plurality of electrode contacts, a pulse generator coupled to the lead and configured to generate electrical pulses to be delivered to a patient through the plurality of electrode contacts, and an electronic programmer coupled to the pulse generator. The electronic programmer programs the pulse generator to generate the electrical pulses. The pulse generator is programmed to generate an electrical stimulation to be applied to the patient via one of the electrode contacts on the implantable lead. A determination is received as to whether the patient, in response to the electrical stimulation, exhibited a bellows response or a toes response. A stimulation parameter of the electrical stimulation is ramped up in response to a determination that the patient did not exhibit the bellows response or the toes response and that the patient did not feel pain in response to the electrical stimulation.

Abstract: One or more virtual objects are displayed on an electronic programmer. The virtual objects represent initiating and terminating a delivery of a medical therapy to a patient. An actuation of the one or more virtual objects is sensed. The delivery of the medical therapy is terminated immediately if the actuation of the one or more virtual objects corresponds to terminating the delivery of the medical therapy. The delivery of the medical therapy is initiated in a delayed manner if the actuation of the one or more virtual objects corresponds to starting the delivery of the medical therapy. A battery level of the electronic programmer is monitored. At least one of the following tasks is performed if the battery level is lower than a target battery level: disallowing programming of the electronic programmer; terminating the delivery of an existing medical therapy; and precluding the delivery of a prospective medical therapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a medical system that includes one or more implantable medical devices configured to deliver a medical therapy to a patient. The medical system also includes a portable electronic device on which a touch-sensitive user interface is implemented. The user interface is configured to provide a visual representation of the medical therapy through a hierarchy. The hierarchy includes a lower level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a stimulation program that includes a plurality of configurable stimulation parameters. The hierarchy includes a middle level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a stimulation program-set that includes a plurality of different stimulation programs. The hierarchy includes an upper level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a scrollable collection of stimulation program-sets that are represented by a plurality of digital cards, respectively.

Abstract: A pulse generator is configured to generate electrical pulses of an electrical stimulation therapy. The pulse generator includes an N number of output channels and a microcontroller configured to generate instructions. The pulse generator is configured to generate different stimulation waveforms simultaneously for the output channels. The different waveforms have different waveform characteristics. A mesh electrode array includes an M number of electrodes. Each of the electrodes is configured to deliver the electrical pulses of the electrical stimulation therapy. M is at least several times greater than N. A solid state relay contains a plurality of controllable switches that is each configured to be turned on or off in response to the instructions received from the microcontroller, such that the solid state relay routes the output channels of the pulse generator to different subset of the electrodes of the mesh electrode array at different points in time.

Abstract: The present invention involves systems and methods for determining nerve proximity, nerve direction, and pathology relative to a surgical instrument based on an identified relationship between neuromuscular responses and the stimulation signal that caused the neuromuscular responses.

Abstract: A method of programming electrodes includes automatic current balancing and lock control. A virtual representation of a lead is displayed. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes. A subset of the electrodes is selected for programming. Each of the electrodes in the subset has one of two polarities. The two polarities are anode and cathode. A first percentage of a total stimulation current is assigned to a first one of the electrodes in the subset. In response to a user input, the first percentage is fixed to the first electrode. A plurality of second electrodes in the subset that have the same polarity as the first electrode is identified. Thereafter, a respective second percentage of the total stimulation current is automatically assigned to each of the second electrodes. A sum of the first percentage and the respective second percentages is equal to 100%.

Abstract: In response to input from a patient who is being treated by a sacral nerve stimulation therapy, an electronic diary is generated that includes a plurality of voiding responses of the patient over a period of time. 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 has a plurality of electrode contacts that include the first subset. Based on the voiding responses in the electronic diary, a loss of efficacy of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy is detected. The sacral nerve stimulation therapy is automatically adjusted in response to the detected loss of efficacy. The automatically adjustment of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy may include either a program-based sweep or a contact-based sweep.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of generating different stimulation waveforms as a part of sacral nerve stimulation therapy. A first stimulation waveform having a first stimulation waveform characteristic is generated. The first stimulation waveform is delivered to a first body part of a patient at least in part via a first channel. A second stimulation waveform having a second stimulation waveform characteristic is generated. The second stimulation waveform characteristic is different from the first stimulation waveform characteristic. The second stimulation waveform is delivered to a second body part of the patient at least in part via a second channel that is separate and independent from the first channel. The first body part and second body part correspond to different organs or different types of nerves.

Abstract: A portable electronic programmer has a display screen, one or more sensors, a non-transitory memory storing instructions, and one or more electronic processors configured to execute the instructions to perform operations that include: detecting, via the one or more sensors, that the display screen of the portable electronic programmer has been engaged by an object; determining a location of the display screen of the portable electronic programmer that has been engaged; and causing an external monitor to display a visual indicator that corresponds to the location of the display screen of the portable electronic programmer, the external monitor being communicatively coupled to the portable electronic programmer.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves an electronic apparatus for programming an implantable medical device to provide a stimulation therapy for a patient. The electronic apparatus includes a user interface configured to communicate with a user, a memory storage configured to store executable instructions, and a computer processor configured to execute the instructions to implement a plurality of safety controls.

Abstract: A computer assisted programming method includes ramping up a stimulation current for a plurality of contacts on a lead. Patient feedback is received while the stimulation current is being ramped up. Patient feedback indicates that the patient is beginning to feel stimulation. Based on the patient feedback, amplitude of the stimulation current that resulted in the patient feedback is recorded, and contacts are divided into groups. The contacts are activated one group at a time to the recorded amplitude. For each activated group of contacts, whether the patient can feel stimulation is determined. Thereafter, the target group that caused the patient to feel stimulation is then sub-divided into sub-groups. This process repeats a plurality of cycles until one or more contacts that caused the patient to feel stimulation are identified. The recorded amplitude is assigned as a perception threshold for the identified one or more contacts.

Abstract: System for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments employed in accessing a surgical target site.

Abstract: A model of an implantable lead is provided via a graphical user interface. The implantable lead is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via a plurality of electrodes located on the implantable lead. The graphical user interface also provides a plurality of predefined electrode activation patterns that include a coarse pattern and a refined pattern. The coarse pattern corresponds to a first group of electrodes located in a first region of the implantable lead. The refined pattern corresponds to a second group of electrodes located in a second region of the implantable lead. The second region is smaller than, and is a subsection of, the first region. A coarse testing process is performed by selectively activating the first group of electrodes belonging to the coarse pattern. Thereafter, a refined testing process is performed by selectively activating the second group of electrodes belonging to the refined pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of determining electrode configuration and positioning for neurostimulation. A virtual representation of an implant lead is provided. The implant lead is configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient via one or more of a plurality of electrodes located on the implant lead. A predefined electrode activation pattern is provided. The electrode activation pattern identifies a plurality of subsets of the electrodes that can be activated one subset at a time. The electrodes in each subset are programmed with their respective electrical stimulation parameters. The subsets of the electrodes are activated one subset at a time. Each activated subset of electrodes delivers electrical stimulation to a different region of a spine of the patient.

Abstract: A computer-assisted stimulation programming of an implantable medical device is performed. A perception threshold is determined for a plurality of contacts on a lead configured to be implanted inside a patient. The perception threshold is determined by automatically performing a first sweep of the plurality of contacts and automatically performing a second sweep of a stimulation parameter. A paresthesia coverage provided by the plurality of contacts is determined by automatically performing a third sweep of the plurality of contacts and automatically performing a fourth sweep of the stimulation parameter. The fourth sweep is performed based on the determined perception thresholds. The first sweep, the second sweep, the third sweep, and the fourth sweep are performed without needing a manual input from a human user. A subset of the contacts corresponding to the paresthesia coverage is selected. In response to user input, stimulation programming is performed using the subset of contacts.

Abstract: An electrically identifiable medical electrode lead. The lead includes a flexible lead body having a distal end and a connector end. The lead also includes a plurality of electrodes disposed near the distal end of the flexible lead body. The lead further includes a connector disposed at the connector end of the flexible lead body, the connector including a plurality of contacts. The lead additionally includes a plurality of conductors supported by and passing through the flexible lead body, the plurality of conductors including electrical conductors that provide paths for electrical current from the connector to the plurality of electrodes. Finally, the lead includes a memory circuit supported by the flexible lead body and being in electrical communication with a contact of the plurality of contacts in the connector.

Abstract: A patient feedback device for use in an electrical stimulation system is calibrated. The electrical stimulation system includes an implantable pulse generator (IPG) implanted in a patient and a patient feedback device having a force sensor. Input from the patient is sensed using the patient feedback device. At a first time, an electrical stimulus is applied with the IPG. The force sensor is monitored at a plurality of time points. A level of force sensed by the force sensor at each of the plurality of time points is recorded. A time point at which a maximum force is applied is identified, or a time point at which a minimum force is applied is identified. The first time is compared to the time point at which a minimum force is applied or the time point at which a maximum force is applied, in order to determine a patient response time.