Optimal electrode contact polarity configurations for implantable stimulation systems

Abstract

Systems for treating a patient with a medical condition include a lead having an array of electrode contacts each being programmable to have either a first polarity or a second polarity and a programming device configured to test a multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations in which a programmed polarity of one or more of the electrode contacts is varied. Methods of using an implantable stimulator system include implanting a lead having an array of programmable electrode contacts disposed thereon in communication with a stimulation site, testing a multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations in which a programmed polarity of one or more of the electrode contacts is varied, selecting an optimal electrode contact polarity configuration out of the multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations, and applying the stimulation current via the optimal electrode contact polarity configuration to the stimulation site in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.

1 . A system for treating a patient with a medical condition, said system comprising: 
 a lead having an array of electrode contacts each being programmable to have either a first polarity or a second polarity; and    a programming device configured to test a multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations in which a programmed polarity of one or more of said electrode contacts is varied.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said programming device is further configured to select an optimal electrode contact polarity configuration out of said multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a stimulator configured to apply a stimulation current to a stimulation site in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters using said optimal electrode contact polarity configuration.    
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said programming device is further configured to: 
 test a multiplicity of different sets of said stimulation parameters;    select an optimal set of said stimulation parameters out of said multiplicity of different sets of stimulation parameters; and    signal to said stimulator to apply said stimulation current according to said optimal set of stimulation parameters;    wherein each set of said stimulation parameters comprises different values for at least one or more of a frequency, pulse width, amplitude, burst pattern, duty cycle, ramp on time, and ramp off time of said stimulation current.    
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said programming device is configured to select said optimal electrode contact polarity configuration by: 
 signaling said stimulator to apply a stimulus to said stimulation site with each of said multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations; and    selecting said optimal electrode contact polarity configuration based on at least one or more of an optimal response of said stimulation site to said stimulus and a maximum amount of relief from said medical condition from said stimulation current.    
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of an occipital nerve and a trigeminal nerve.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said stimulation current comprises at least one or more of a monopolar stimulation current and a multipolar stimulation current.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said programming device is included within said stimulator.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said medical condition comprises at least one or more of a headache, occipital neuralgia, facial pain, and Bells palsy.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said programming device comprises at least one or more of a clinician programming system and a hand held programmer.  
     
     
         11 . A method of using an implantable stimulator system, said method comprising: 
 implanting a lead in communication with a stimulation site, said lead having an array of electrode contacts disposed thereon for applying a stimulation current to said stimulation site, each electrode contact being programmable to have either a first polarity or a second polarity;    testing a multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations in which a programmed polarity of one or more of said electrode contacts is varied;    selecting an optimal electrode contact polarity configuration out of said multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations; and    applying said stimulation current via said optimal electrode contact polarity configuration to said stimulation site in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 testing a multiplicity of different sets of said stimulation parameters;    selecting an optimal set of said stimulation parameters out of said multiplicity of different sets of stimulation parameters; and    applying said stimulus to said stimulation site according to said optimal set of said stimulation parameters;    wherein each of said sets of said stimulation parameters comprises different values for at least one or more of a frequency, pulse width, amplitude, burst pattern, duty cycle, ramp on time, and ramp off time of said stimulus.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said selecting said optimal electrode contact polarity configuration comprises: 
 selecting said optimal electrode contact polarity configuration based on at least one or more of an optimal response to said stimulation current by said stimulation site and a maximum amount of relief from a medical condition resulting from said stimulation current.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using said stimulator system to treat at least one or more of a headache, occipital neuralgia, facial pain, and Bells palsy.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said stimulation site comprises at least one or more of an occipital nerve and a trigeminal nerve.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said first polarity comprises an anodic polarity and said second polarity comprises a cathodic polarity.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said stimulation current comprises at least one or more of a monopolar stimulation current and a multipolar stimulation current.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising automatically performing said steps of testing of said multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations and selecting said optimal electrode contact polarity configuration with a processor.  
     
     
         19 . A system for treating a patient with a medical condition, said system comprising: 
 a lead having an array of electrode contacts disposed thereon for applying a stimulation current to a stimulation site, each electrode contact being programmable to have either a first polarity or a second polarity;    means for testing a multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations in which a programmed polarity of one or more of said electrode contacts is varied;    means for selecting an optimal electrode contact polarity configuration out of said multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations; and    means for applying said stimulation current via said optimal electrode contact polarity configuration to said stimulation site in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.    
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 means for testing a multiplicity of different sets of said stimulation parameters;    means for selecting an optimal set of said stimulation parameters out of said multiplicity of different sets of stimulation parameters; and    means for applying said stimulation current to said stimulation site according to said optimal set of said stimulation parameters;    wherein each of said sets of said stimulation parameters comprises different values for at least one or more of a frequency, pulse width, amplitude, burst pattern, duty cycle, ramp on time, and ramp off time of said stimulation current.