Patent ID: 7305268
Filing Date: 2007-12-04
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. In a computer, a method of automatically determining a favorable neuro-stimulation program for a patient, comprising: applying an electrical stimulus having a plurality of stimulus parameters to a selected configuration of therapy electrodes that have been installed at a target therapy site of the central nervous system of a patient wherein applying an electrical stimulus includes applying an electrical stimulus at a sub-threshold level; sensing a response to the applied electrical stimulus at a sensing device that has been installed at a sense location of the patient; determining whether the response is within a desired range or an improvement over a previous sensed response from a different electrical stimulus and/or a different configuration of therapy electrodes; selecting an alternate configuration of therapy electrodes and/or an alternate electrical stimulus, wherein the selecting procedure comprises computing an alternate stimulus parameter while maintaining a constant electrode configuration, and wherein computing the alternate stimulus parameter comprises correlating a plurality of different stimuli applied to the constant electrode configuration with corresponding sensed responses to determine a stimulus/response trend and estimating a new stimulus parameter that is expected to improve the efficacy according to the stimulus/response trend; repeating the applying, sensing and determining procedures using the alternate configuration of therapy electrodes and/or the alternate electrical stimulus; and choosing a configuration of therapy electrodes and/or an electrical stimulus corresponding to a sensed response that is within a desired range and/or provides a better result compared to other sensed responses.