Neuromodulation system

Abstract

Neuromodulation systems and corresponding methods for providing neuromodulation are disclosed. The neuromodulation systems can include at least one input module for inputting patient data into the neuromodulation system. The systems can further include at least one model calculation and building module for building a patient model, the patient model describing the anatomy and/or physiology and/or pathophysiology and the real and/or simulated reaction of the patient on a provided and/or simulated neuromodulation. The systems can further include at least one computation means for using the patient model (M) and calculating the impact of the provided and/or simulated neuromodulation.

1 . A neuromodulation system comprising:
 at least one input module for inputting patient data into the neuromodulation system;   at least one model calculation and building module for building a patient model, the patient model describing anatomy and/or physiology and/or pathophysiology and real and/or simulated reaction of a patient on a provided and/or simulated neuromodulation;   at least one computation module for using the patient model and calculating an impact of the provided and/or simulated neuromodulation.   
     
     
         2 . The neuromodulation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises an output device for outputting at least one of pre-operative planning data, intra-operative planning data and/or post-operative planning data. 
     
     
         3 . The neuromodulation system according to  claim 2 , wherein the pre-operative planning data include at least one of surgical incision placement data, optimal electrode placement data, eligibility data of the patient, and assessment data of in-silico benefit for decision making. 
     
     
         4 . The neuromodulation system according to  claim 2 , wherein the intra-operative planning data include at least one intra-operative imaging data, the at least one intra-operative planning data including data acquired via a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), Fluoroimaging, X-Ray, interventional radiology (IR), video, laser measuring, optical visualization and imaging system, real-time registration, navigation system imaging, electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyography (EMG), or mechanical feedback imaging systems. 
     
     
         5 . The neuromodulation system according to  claim 2 , wherein the post-operative planning data include at least one of a recommend optimum electrode configuration, electrode design, plan, stimulation waveforms, and timings schedule for neuromodulation events. 
     
     
         6 . The neuromodulation system according to  claim 2 , wherein output device provides visualization of at least one of electric currents, potentials, information on location and/or probability of depolarization of nerve fibers and/or neurons. 
     
     
         7 . A method for providing neuromodulation, comprising at least the steps of:
 inputting patient data of a patient;   building a patient model, the patient model describing anatomy and/or physiology and/or pathophysiology and/or at least one of a real or simulated reaction of a patient to a provided and/or simulated neuromodulation;   calculating an impact of the provided and/or simulated neuromodulation.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising a step of outputting at least one of pre-operative planning data, intra-operative planning data and/or post-operative planning data. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the pre-operative planning data includes at least one of surgical incision placement, optimal electrode placement, eligibility of the patient, and assessment in-silico benefit for decision making. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein, the intra-operative planning data includes at least one intra-operative imaging data, the at least one intra-operative imaging data acquired via a MRI, a CT, a Fluoroimaging, an X-Ray, an IR, a video, a laser measuring, an optical visualization and imaging system, a real-time registration, a navigation system imaging, an EEG, an ECG, an EMG, or a mechanical feedback imaging system. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the post-operative planning data includes at least one recommend optimum electrode configuration, electrode design, plan, stimulation waveforms, and timings schedule for neuromodulation events. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein visualization of at least one of electric currents, potentials, information on location and/or probability of depolarization of nerve fibers and/or neurons are provided. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising determining a desired placement of a lead comprising a plurality of electrodes according to the patient model. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the patient model is a three dimensional reconstruction of one or more of a spinal cord, a vertebral column, an epidural fat, a pia mater, a dura mater, a dorsal root, a ventral root, a cerebro-spinal fluid, a white matter and a grey matter of the patient using the patient model. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the patient model is combined with a model of a lead including a plurality of electrodes. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising determining, according to the patient model, an optimal electrode configuration and/or one or more optimal stimulation parameters for a nerve fiber and/or neuron population within a spinal cord of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the one or more optimal stimulation parameters include a frequency, amplitude, a pulse width and/or polarity applied to a plurality of electrodes of a lead. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the optimal electrode configuration and/or the one or more optimal stimulation parameters are determined according to a distance function that is a function of at least a percentage of a specific type of nerve fiber being activated within a dorsal root, a combination of dorsal roots and neve fiber types that have been initialized, and a current used dorsal roots and nerve fibers. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the patient data is acquired via a patient data acquisition modality communicatively coupled to the input module, the patient data acquisition modality including one of a MRI, a CT, a Fluoroimaging, an X-Ray, an IR, a video, a laser measuring, an optical visualization and imaging system, a real-time registration, a navigation system imaging, an EEG, an ECG, an EMG, or a mechanical feedback imaging system. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one model calculation and building module and/or the at least one computation module is communicatively and operatively coupled to one or more of an implantable pulse generator and/or a spinal implant having a plurality of electrodes.