Patent ID: 6622048
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
A method of programming an implant device, the implant device comprising an implantable pulse generator having an implantable electrode array connected thereto, the implantable pulse generator having electrical circuitry therein that generates electrical stimulation pulses in accordance with programming data, which electrical stimulation pulses are delivered to body tissue of a patient through a selected combination of a multiplicity of electrodes on the electrode array, wherein the programming method comprises:(a) creating a data base that maps various electrode combinations to paresthesia regions of the body; (b) storing the data base in a programming computer; (c) displaying a human figure on a screen of the programming computer, and dividing the human figure into a multiplicity of regions; (d) selecting at least one region on the displayed human figure where the patient feels pain; (e) selecting a combination of electrodes and stimulation parameters adapted to produce paresthesia in the same at least one region of pain; (f) generating stimulation pulses and delivering the stimulation pulses to the selected combination of electrodes through the implantable pulse generator; (g) identifying at least one region of paresthesia on the displayed human figure where the stimulation pulses generated in step (f) produce paresthesia; (h) determining the degree of mismatch between the at least one region of paresthesia identified in step (f) and the at least one region of pain selected in step (d); (i) if the degree of mismatch exceeds a prescribed level, selecting a new combination of electrodes and stimulation parameters including stimulus amplitude and pulsewidth for each independently programmable electrode, in order to steer a stimulus current field, which selecting of electrodes and parameters is based on the identified at least one region of paresthesia and the degree of mismatch, and repeating steps (f), (g) and (h); and (j) if the degree of mismatch is less than the prescribed level, programming the implantable pulse generator with the programming data that produces the least mismatch.